Cultivating Conscientious Choices

One of the most basic ways to begin thinking more conscientiously toward others and the environment, is to first figure out who you are. To understand and love yourself is fundamental for understanding and loving anything other than yourself. The Dalai Lama said, "Our life depends on others so much that at the root of our existence there is a fundamental need for love. That is why it is good to cultivate an authentic sense of our responsibility and a sincere concern for the welfare of others."

As humans we are set apart from other species with the advanced evolutionary gift of cognitive thought. What we do is ruled more by our conscience than by the savage sentiment of survival which our ancestors bore. We are intelligent, we're capable of comprehending our place in this world, of reflecting on our own thoughts, of communicating with each other in exceptional ways, and with this capability we inherit a responsibility to utilize what we've been given,  to inspire to our full potential as a species, and to help the earth thrive.

Within our thoughts, choices and actions - we have power. Every individual has what it takes. In vast numbers we have strength to influence. Together, humans possesses the capacity to create necessary change. For this planet, for the other lives on it, and for ourselves - it is absolutely essential that we change our ways.

The point is; this vital shift humanity requires can be achieved, in part, by a movement of people who EXERT CONSCIENTIOUS OPTIONS, MAKING A DIFFERENCE each in their own way. Every choice we constantly make, be it a decision about ourselves, the way we treat others, the resources we use, or anything in between, they all add up. We live in a world of 7 billion humans (and multiplying more rapidly the higher that number gets:
 http://www.worldpopulationbalance.org/exponential-growth-tutorial/bacteria-exponential-growth.html)

It's long overdue that we all understand every action we take is either part of a sustainable solution, or part of a pragmatic problem.

**Put It Into Practice**

Connecting with who we truly are and who we want to be in order to discover what really makes us happy, allows us to base our decisions on what we feel is conducive to our personal fulfillment. If we can practice into habit the act of consciously considering what we feel and make decisions from that awareness, it will become routine. Eventually, we can become conscientiously content in all areas of our lives; with ourselves, our relationships, our environments, etc., basing decisions on the consideration and welfare of all life.