Deeper Shade of Green

Greenpeace has always been this mythical group of people to me – heroes, really – that care for and save our Earth. I always admired them from the distance and wished that one day I could be somehow associated with them.

That day happened yesterday for me. I finally told myself I should go and join them. Greenpeace Vancouver had a Volunteer Night, where they introduced people to what volunteering for Greenpeace is all about and what types of actions they can do. Greenpeace decided to create a volunteer task force I believe only last year, to help them further their cause. Before you had only the hard core activists and researchers, etc., but now the idea is to establish small groups that will become semi-autonomous, working on Greenpeace issues with Greenpeace support.
There were about 15-20 of us yesterday. But the event was one of many such volunteer nights, so I am sure the volunteer task force is larger. I was very surprised that many of the people that came yesterday I have met before – namely at friends of Live Earth as volunteers. They really are a fine bunch of people and I really had this feeling of being at home right off the bat. They are mostly young, passionate, energetic people with deep sense of care and moral obligation to help the Earth. I totally fit in.

When I got the chance I was mingling as well and met some new faces. It was very refreshing talking to these individuals and compare notes on our knowledge and talk about our experiences. I learned a lot and these folks, despite their age sometimes (not meant as a bad thing) are very well educated and smart. Many invited me to their respective events and groups, as these folks, just like me, are involved in many different organizations. It felt really nice, because although the atmosphere is very friendly, there is a lot of respect. Many of these folks have much more experience with saving the environment and activism then I do, yet they would commend me on my knowledge of various topics. That was really a nice feeling, because it made me feel like their equal and that all the time I am investing into learning about the various issues that are facing us is starting to pay off (the real pay off is of course when you see your friends, family and strangers change their habits to lower their ecological impact, but hearing a compliment like that helps boost your confidence as well).

I am starting to be precisely where I wanted to be in my life. I am in that moment that is very hard to achieve: I know exactly what I want, I know exactly my purpose is and I am working actively towards achieving it.

And that, is simply beautiful.