Empowerment

In this very complicated world, filled with many "causes," it can be at times discouraging to realize that we are a small piece of a much larger puzzle. As a non-profit, and a small one at that, Leave No Trace has a very unique and specialized mission. At times it might be criticized for not embracing a much global "cause," but the people who do align themselves with the Leave No Trace message, care a lot about what they do.

I believe one of the most fulfilling things in life is to find something that you genuinely care a lot about. People find that in different things, and in different ways. Margaret Meade's quote about the power of one has been used as a means of empowerment many times, so instead I chose to insert a quote from Dr. Suess for all of those individuals who "care a whole awful lot" about what they do. As our lovely intern, Alicia Brossart, commented this morning, "Keep on Keepin on!"

"But now, says the Once-ler,
Now that you're here,
the word of the Lorax seems perfectly clear.
UNLESS someone like you
cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better.
It's not."

"SO...
Catch! calls the Once-ler.
He lets something fall.
It's a Truffula Seed.
It's the last one of all!
You're in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds.
And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs.
Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care.
Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air.
Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack.
Then the Lorax
and all of his friends
may come back."

Dr. Suess, The Lorax 1971