Living More Like Rachel
Happy Birthday to our beloved and distinguished alumna, Rachel Carson! May 27th marks Rachel Carson’s birthday and in celebration, we’re taking some of her advice to heart. Below we’ve highlighted some of this prolific writer and biologist’s insights on how we can better interact with each other and the world around us, complete with musings on how we can apply these ideas to our everyday lives. Read on for some of Rachel’s mantras:
“One way to open your eyes is to ask yourself, ‘What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would never see it again?’”
One easy strategy for drumming up gratitude in our daily lives is asking ourselves, Remember when I wanted what I have now? Rachel implores us to reinvigorate our childlike sense of wonder by seeing our lives and our surroundings with fresh eyes. If you’re feeling bored or bogged down, take stock of the people, places, and experiences that bring sparkles to your ordinary but extraordinary life. Find some gratitude for this moment, which is fleeting but unique.
“Why should we tolerate a diet of weak poisons, a home in insipid surroundings, a circle of acquaintances who are not quite our enemies, the noise of motors with just enough relief to prevent insanity? Who would want to live in a world which is just not quite fatal?”
Rachel Carson c/o Chatham University Archives & Special Collections
Since Rachel wrote Silent Spring in 1962, the state of the earth has gotten significantly worse. Our world is fatal for many while rapidly becoming unlivable for all. In Silent Spring, Rachel illustrated the impact of DDT on our environment, effectively launching the modern environmental movement. Rachel asked us to demand more from ourselves and the structures that be. Today, we can advocate for our environment by voting, taking care of our communities, speaking out against environmental degradation, and being more conscious of our own destructive behaviors. Living like Rachel means holding ourselves and each other to higher but equitable standards.
“The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe around us, the less taste we shall have for the destruction of our race. Wonder and humility are wholesome emotions, and they do not exist side by side with a lust for destruction.”
In many ways, our society feels more violently divided than ever. Ethically and politically, it can be difficult to find common ground with those who question your humanity. But, we can turn towards those who turn towards us. We can devote our energy to empowering and uplifting ourselves and those around us who need greater support. If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it’s how intensely we rely on the work and kindness of others to keep our world afloat. If we focus our energy towards humility and grace, we might find the sentiments spreading throughout our communities.
“It is not half so important to know as to feel.”
Nature is chock full of mysteries, secrets, and unexplained phenomena. Plants and animals have long kept habits that perplex scientists, just like humans have long confounded each other. When we release our rigid grip on knowing things “for certain” and having control, we can tap into our intuition, our feelings, and our instincts. Trying to put nature into a rigid box merely inspires nature to solve a new and exciting puzzle. How can you lean away from needing certainty while noticing how you feel in the moment?
Rachel as a child, c/o Chatham University Archives & Special Collections
“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder without any such gift from the fairies, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.”
Whether you’re in need of a mentor or ready to do some mentorship of your own, restoring our sense of appreciation for the world around us is a team effort. This can look as simple as going on a hike with some friends and observing the wildlife around you. If you’re looking to get more involved with sustainability initiatives in your community, do some research and find an organization that you can volunteer with—exploring the ongoing work at our Eden Hall Campus is a great way to start. As you begin to work with and learn from likeminded community members, you’ll likely find yourself energized and enthused while gaining a heightened sense of appreciation for your life and surroundings.
“To become a little more personal, I am an idealist. Sometimes I lose sight of my goal, then again it flashes into view, filling me with a new determination to keep the vision splendid before my eyes. I may never come to a full realization of my dreams, but a man’s reach must exceed his grasp or what’s a heaven for?”
Rachel Carson wrote this essay when she was a student at the Pennsylvania College for Women—read it in full here. As a student, Rachel created a unique and wildly innovative journey for herself by merging two seemingly divergent passions—writing and biology. As you see here, even the most inspiring paths come sprinkled with doubts, reservations, and a fear of failing. Perhaps when we feel like we’re failing, struggling, or not living up to our own expectations, we can exercise a little patience, self-love, and reverence for the journey rather than pushing ourselves harder towards one specific indicator of success. Let your doubts and fears into the light, it will still be okay. And, in honor of Rachel, we encourage you to explore all of your interests with vigor and creativity—you never know where they might lead!
Special thanks to the Chatham University Archives & Special Collections for providing much of the content you see here.
