The Art of Grit

I recently stumbled upon a saying by Mahavira that has stayed with me: “The most important principle of environment is that you are not the only element.” There’s something humbling about this truth. It’s easy, perhaps even natural, to look at ourselves as the center of our worlds. Our routines, goals, and responsibilities keep us anchored in our own lives, but this principle reminds me that I’m only a part of a larger picture—one that includes not just other people, but also the plants, animals, air, water, and soil that make life possible.

Our culture often presents this sense of interconnectedness in a way that feels, admittedly, abstract or even metaphysical. The concept of “everything being connected” can feel hard to grasp in practical terms. And yet, I’ve noticed that when we let ourselves consider it seriously, it doesn’t feel so abstract at all. It’s actually very real, a reflection of how every breath, meal, or object I hold comes from, and impacts, the world around me.

But what would it look like to extend kindness beyond human-to-human interactions and apply it to our environment? I’ve found myself thinking about this more lately, considering the little ways I might be contributing to, or taking from, this intricate web of life.

Small Acts of Care for the World Around Us

When I go about my day, it’s easy to forget that the things around me are part of a larger network of life, each element supporting the next. Sometimes, I’ll catch myself absent-mindedly tossing plastic into the trash or letting the tap run a bit too long. Small actions, but they add up over time. I might never see the immediate impact of these choices, but they have consequences in ways I can’t fully understand.

It makes me wonder: what if I approached my environment with the same consideration I try to extend to those closest to me? What if I took a moment to think about the journey of each resource I consume or discard, understanding that it all comes from somewhere and affects something?

Lately, I’ve started to make small changes. I’ll pause before I use something disposable, asking myself if I really need it. I’m learning to appreciate things like water, soil, and air as valuable resources rather than mere conveniences. These shifts might seem small, but they’re reminders of my connection to the world, of the countless elements that support and sustain my life without asking anything in return.

Kindness Beyond Convenience

This principle of environmental kindness doesn’t have to mean radical changes; rather, it’s about subtle, mindful shifts in how we interact with the world. I’m learning to see kindness as an act of belonging. When I extend care to the environment, I’m reminded that I’m a part of it—not just an observer or consumer, but an element in this system.

One example is how I treat green spaces. Instead of viewing them solely as places for relaxation, I’ve started seeing them as shared spaces, where the plants, insects, and animals have as much a right to thrive as I do. When I go on walks, I’ll take a moment to appreciate these spaces, maybe picking up litter or even just staying on paths to avoid disturbing the natural growth around me. It might sound minor, but these small, conscious actions help me feel like I’m contributing to the wellbeing of this shared space.

Rethinking Our Role

At its core, this principle is an invitation to recognize our roles as caretakers rather than just consumers. There’s a subtle but powerful shift in perspective when we acknowledge that we aren’t separate from nature but embedded within it. Every choice we make ripples out in ways we can’t always see. We’re constantly participating in this ecosystem, and in doing so, we have the chance to choose what kind of impact we want to make.

Mahavira’s saying feels like a gentle call to widen my sense of kindness. It invites me to pause and think about how my actions might impact the web of life around me, how I might add or take away from the environment we all share. It’s a mindset I’m learning to cultivate, one that reminds me that being kind to our surroundings is a way of being kind to ourselves and others, a gesture of respect for the interconnectedness we share.

A Reflection for You

As you go about your day, perhaps you might also consider the small ways you interact with your environment. Do you see yourself as an active participant in this larger system? How do you relate to the spaces and resources that make up your world?

There’s no perfect way to “get it right,” but each small act of care and consideration brings us closer to the world we wish to see—a world where kindness isn’t just for each other but for the entire ecosystem we’re a part of.