And the Earth will follow.

While you should totally do all you can to “save the Earth” — which is just the human way of saying “save ourselves from becoming extinct from the Earth” — I think we’re missing an important element when it comes to all our well-intentioned choices to recycle, reduce our energy consumption, go vegan, etc.

ASTRONAUTS, IN FACT, ARE SOME OF THE VERY FEW PEOPLE THAT TRULY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE REST OF US ARE MISSING: A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE REFERRED TO AS THE OVERVIEW EFFECT.

The overview effect is a cognitive shift in awareness reported by some astronauts and cosmonauts during spaceflight, often while viewing the Earth from orbit or from the lunar surface. - Wiki (wiki)

ONCE THEY’VE SEEN OUR PLANET FROM AFAR, ASTRONAUTS REPORT GAINING A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING THAT WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

Our separation from each other, made so clear to us by distance, is laughable when you see our Earth from this perspective. Imaginary borders and imaginary differences all become obvious as imagined. Instead of wasting and dividing our efforts by fighting each other for more resources and power, we should be merging our energy to preserve as much life (animal, plant, human… LIFE) on Earth as we possibly can.

SPIRITUALITY TELLS US WE'RE ALL ONE BUT ASTRONAUTS HAVE ACTUALLY SEEN FOR THEMSELVES THAT IS THE TRUTH.

When astronauts first went into space they had no idea that one of the most impactful things they would get to experience would be seeing our own planet in a whole new perspective. The first Earth "selfie" shifted the way we saw ourselves. We were collectively so obsessed with what was out there that we overlooked what's right here. We do this all the time on a mirco level in our own lives. And what the Overview Effect reminds me to do is to start with myself on Earth Day. How do I pollute my mind with thoughts of separations or negativity? How do I pollute my body? How do I treat my corner of the world? As my favorite cliche says, be the change.

Recycling or any other "green" action becomes a part of who you are when you are in tune with the Overview Effect because you know that all you do not only affects you, but everyone else. And it also offers us the perfect place to start with any of these changes.... with you.

YOU ARE YOUR OWN MINI EARTH. "SAVE" YOURSELF AND YOU SAVE US ALL.