When we talk about "Earth Stewardship", we're using the term with two important perspectives in mind:

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1. We are the Earth

Let's begin this part with a thought experiment: when you talk with a friend, that person is made up of billions of cells and helpful bacteria. Many of these cells and bacteria act like distinct life forms but they all work together to be the friend you're talking to. You don't see a bunch of cells and bacteria. You see your friend. But that doesn't negate the fact that those smaller parts of your friend exist and are having their own experience right now.

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Similarly, each one of us is like a cell or bacteria that makes up the overall body of the Earth. Someone viewing our planet from way out in space doesn't see you. They just see the blue globe and say "That's Earth". But when they do so, they're taking in every ocean, continent, mountain, river, and life form all at once, including you. You are the Earth.

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We can transform our talk about how humans are treating the Earth into awareness of how we are treating our Collective Self.

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> Look at the image of the Earth above and see yourself and everyone you love there, part of the whole.

> How does this change your perspective?

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2. All Stewardship is Earth Stewardship

Since everyone and everything on our planet is the Earth, any stewardship is Earth Stewardship. When you care for your family or home, really see a neighbor, tend a garden, stand up for suffering beings of any kind, or even take care of yourself, you're Stewarding the Earth.

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Ultimately, the quest for the Good Society that got us thinking about virtue in the first place is a quest to Steward the Earth toward a virtuous, renewing ecosystem where all of us (each person as well as each animal, plant, river, rock, etc.) can be safe and thrive.

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As we cultivate these perspectives, we're experiencing the following fruits:

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> Greater consciousness of how our decisions affect more than ourselves.

> An ineffable sense of wonder, purpose, and love.

> Deep confidence that we're all gonna be OK.

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The first twelve Core Principles of this season are the virtues of each of the other twelve seasons which means that as you work on each virtue all year long, you're increasing your ability to Steward the Earth and setting the foundation to practice the thirteenth principle of this season: Practice Servant Leadership. This is the season where all that you've being doing culminates into one place and unlocks your potential to bless our Collective Self.

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Below are some thoughts about how each of the 12 virtues of the previous season help you Steward the Earth followed by a description of Servant Leadership. These thoughts are far from comprehensive. You can write down your own ideas about the connection between each virtue and Earth stewardship and please share them with us! We love learning from you.

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1. Fulfill Yearnity:​

Your own yearnity is interconnected with the yearnity of the Earth. You'll never truly be fulfilling your yearnity if it isn't informed by the yearnity of our Collective Self.

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> What do you think the Earth's yearnity is?

> What are specific ways that your yearnity and the Earth's yearnity synergize?

> How do you see your yearnity differently when you consider it in the context of our collective yearnity?

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2. Accept Agency:​

Your sense of gratitude for Mother Earth will grow as you accept how much influence she has on your everyday experience. You can also accept accountability for how your day-to-day choices affect her.

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> What does the Earth do for you each day?

> How are your choices affecting the Earth?

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3. Communicate Effectively:​

You'll can't effectively Steward the Earth by yourself and you need to communicate well, with other people and with the planet, in order to work together.

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> Who do you want to communicate better with as you Steward the Earth?

> In what ways can you communicate with the Earth?

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4. Create Solutions:​

Our planet, nations, communities, families, ecosystems, and every other part of our Collective Self have no shortage of problems to solve! 

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> Consider the ways you want to Steward the Earth. What is a problem you'd like to solve in your stewardship?

> How can the four Core Principles of Creating Solutions help you solve that problem?

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5. Process Emotions:​

If you want to help people work together to heal the Earth, you'll need to help them process the emotions that keep them from seeing themselves as part of our Collective Self.

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> What emotions prevent you from seeing yourself as part of the Collective Self?

> How can you process them?

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6. Act with Balance:​

The six Core Principles of this virtue can help you set boundaries that allow to productively Steward the Earth while avoiding burnout. Also, humanity can use these same principles to create boundaries that help nations and ecosystems thrive together.

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> Which of the Act with Balance Core Principles could help you be a more productive steward today?

> How could our Collective Self act with greater balance? 

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7. Stay Motivated:​

As you Steward the Earth, you might be tempted to quit from time to time. The seven Core Principles of this virtue will help you keep going!

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> When have you felt tempted recently to give up in your stewardship?

> Which Stay Motivated Core Principle could help you keep at it?

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8. Increase Understanding:​

Fill your schema with knowledge that motivates you to Steward the Earth and helps you do so effectively. Seek to understand other people's schema so you can work with them in your efforts.

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If all your knowledge about the Earth was learned from a screen or in a lab, you're missing out. Get out in nature and get to know the Earth firsthand.

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> What can you learn that will increases the effectiveness of your stewardship?

> How will you learn it? How can you include first-hand experience with nature in your plan?

> When has a failure to relate to someone's schema interfered with your ability to Steward the Earth? What can you learn from this?

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9. Hone Perception:​

Our planet is so beautiful. Use all your senses to enjoy our home! This will motivate and inform your stewardship.

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> When is the last time you simply enjoyed nature? When will be the next time?

> How can really seeing other people, animals, and plants bless the whole planet?

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10. Discern Truth:​

You are likely bombarded with differing messages, well-meaning and otherwise, telling you how to Steward the Earth. Use the ten Core Principles of this virtue to categorize and respond to them.

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> What's an example of Earth stewardship-related information you've encountered that you aren't sure about?

> Use the 10 Core Principles of Discern Truth to evaluate this information. How will you respond to it?

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11. Know Yourself:​

You can be aware of yourself as part of the Collective Self. Keep in mind that Joy & Sufficiency is the first Core Principle of this virtue. You do not need to wait to experience joy on the Earth as we are now.

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> How does seeing yourself as part of the Earth's Collective Self change your sense of identity?

> What can you do today to enjoy being part of the Earth?

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12. Love Everyone:​

Just love the Earth and love everyone and everything that she is made of.

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> Which of the twelve Core Principles of Love Everyone could most help you love the Earth today?

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13. Practice Servant Leadership:​

In Medieval Europe, the word "steward" referred to a servant who looked after a lord's estate. Stewardship involves being a servant and a leader at the same time.

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See yourself as a servant to those you lead. What fulfills their yearnity? What are they trying to do with their agency? How do they want to be shown love? As you act on the answer to these questions, you'll increase the likelihood that those you lead believe you are there to help them.

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And then, if you can actually help them in ways that work, they'll not only believe your intentions are good, they'll also believe that you have the ability to get the job done. When people really trust your intentions and your ability, they'll be quick to give you their cooperation, time, and other resources to help the work of stewardship.

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Practicing all of the virtues presented on this site helps you have intentions people can trust and deliver the real results they are looking for. Practicing these virtues in their seasons helps you grow in them exponentially faster.

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You might notice that Servant Leadership is also the sixth virtue of Demonstrate Devotion. This principle is the culmination of all of the virtues of the seasons and all of the devotional virtues. It's a big deal!

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> Who do you know who personifies servant leadership? How can you be more like them?

> Take a moment to be still. Ask your heart or gut what it feels like to experience Servant Leadership. Wait and see what comes up for you. What did you learn?

> Think of the people you lead and serve. How can each of the 13 virtues help you have intentions they can trust and deliver the results they're looking for?

> What more do you learn about Servant Leadership when you read about its role in Demonstrating Devotion?

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As we strive to Steward the Earth, news of environmental and societal problems can discourage us. Things might seem pretty bad out there. But Servant Leaders who've mastered the principles of all 13 Seasons have real power to make things better.

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The Earth and humanity are going through something like a teenage phase, ridden with angst and awkwardness. As we transition together toward maturity, things might seem to get worse. Shadows might seem to grow longer. But shadows grow when there is an increase of Light.

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We are confident the Light will grow so bright from so many directions (maybe 13 directions?) that it will fully illuminate everything.

 

Things are going to be OK. Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work.