I write and talk abundantly about prosperity and the Source of all good. Yet, it is also as important to respect, appreciate and take care of the good we have demonstrated and what has been given us—to be responsible stewards of the gift of life, of nature, the environment and earth’s abundant natural resources.

If we as individuals believe the responsibility rests apart from ourselves to pick up trash, to report a messy restroom, public area or clean up our yard, subdivision and roadside litter, who will? It might not get done. We can do something to help.

You, I and everyone else are managers of the planet, the ground, water, grass, public areas, our homes and everything on earth. Certainly what is within our control and for our use calls for our attention, care and responsiveness. If the location or thing is out of our control and not our property, we can notify who is responsible and report what needs to be cared for.

We are the ambassadors of the world around us; we have been given dominion of the earth and its environment. If someone or some organization denies good stewardship for the sake of profit and continued benefit—it is ours to call them on it, to ask if they would exercise guardianship, harmony and kindness with mother nature who has provided them with riches and natural resource(s).

What’s more, in our immediate surroundings clean up and clear out. It is springtime and the mood is in the air to provide a clean slate and area for comfortable use, for beautification and to make room for nature’s new growth and vibrancy of spring.

The idea of respecting what has been given us is not new and applies to each of us personally. If trash gets on our lawn we are the ones to pick it up. Certainly we can wear gloves and protect ourselves using good judgement in our clearing out, cleaning up and reporting to those in charge of public zones, locations and land.

Earth’s beauty, our home’s inner glow and public shared buildings, displays and grounds need our love, care and good manners. Let’s recycle when we can, encourage environmental wisdom and high regard and hold ourselves and others accountable in any misuse and disregard for humans, animals, trees, the plant kingdom and other natural resources.

We are to respond. And do what we can, where we are and with what we have available to act with respect and care for what has been bestowed to us materially and in the natural environment and surroundings.