So, I've been reading Moral Ground, a book of essays that establishes a moral imperative for environmental action. The essays cover nothing that I haven't read elsewhere, however, these essays do move me more than reading and studying how nature works. I've always wished that that while earning my Bachelor's degree that I would have focused more in the sciences. Instead, I put all of my eggs into writing. Live and learn, aka, Who needs an English Major?
While my daughter naps (she still needs me to sleep), I dream of an environment focused graduate degree. Today, I found the program (in Texas?). The University of Northern Texas has seven specialists in its Philosophy and Religion program - seven. Thus, I started to gather my, mentally, my application materials and formulate my statement of purpose.
However, when I wake up from dreaming, I remind myself that I have an M.F.A in Writing, and I really want to write fiction and poetry. Most of my fiction is environmental in theme. I am doing the good work. I don't need to spend more money to certify what I already know, which is what another degree would ultimately do for me. I've read widely. I've researched widely. I am an environmental writer.
Yet, now that my school has eliminated its general education department, I will likely not find another school that will allow me to teach environmental science, and thus squeak out a living by doing the good work. I can still teach English and Literature. I can still use environmental leaning stories, poetry and drama as source material in those classes. I must keep reminding myself that I don't need more education - that more education is just more escapism - that I just need to leveralge what I know and the opportunities that I already have to do the good work (raising the awareness of others).
Steps that I will take:
1) Finish Reading Moral Ground (and posting quotes)
2) Build an Environmental Writing course to pitch to The Loft
3) Start writing again with a keen focus on Environmental issues
4) Organise an Environmental Reading group
5) Be mindful and thankful for the soil between my toes
2 comments:
I wrestle with the same ideas of certifying what I already know. But I'm glad to see your action steps toward taking your inner world to the outer world. Now get that Loft RFP done!
Thanks, E.
What I really need to do when I think about more education is to write. When I write, I remember what it is I should be about.
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