I like to live my life so that my loved ones give me the things I need as gifts and I give them the things they need. Frankly a society built around consumerism is hell
You are not Atlas carrying the world on your shoulder. It is good to remember that the planet is carrying you.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We often bear heavy burdens, but we should remember our importance and the support we receive from the world.
This quote from Vandana Shiva presents a thought-provoking perspective on the weight of responsibility and the interconnectedness of life. Rather than viewing ourselves as isolated individuals carrying the overwhelming weight of the world, we are encouraged to recognize that we are part of a larger system, supported by the Earth and those around us. This shift in perspective can alleviate the pressure we feel and remind us to appreciate the balance of give and take in our existence.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote to encourage a friend feeling overwhelmed with life’s challenges.
More from Vandana Shiva
All quotes →In nature's economy the currency is not money, it is life.
Cultivating and conserving diversity is no luxury in our times: it is a survival imperative.
We are either going to have a future where women lead the way to make peace with the Earth or we are not going to have a human future at all.
We've moved from wisdom to knowledge, and now we're moving from knowledge to information, and that information is so partial – that we're creating incomplete human beings.
Earth Democracy connects people in circles of care, cooperation, and compassion instead of dividing them through competition and conflict, fear and hatred.
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