It has mattered for my soul. Through the years I've slowly, very slowly, been urged, nudged, and sometimes forced to consider how my many choices make an impact in the world, the community, my family, my soul.
Lights off. Buying less. Set the thermostat. Some of it is habit. Dad always, always reminded us to turn the lights off and the water off and the a/c off and the heat off when possible. You're not in the room. It doesn't need a light. You're brushing your teeth not the sink? Turn off the water. How hot is hot enough to run the a/c? It's cold? Put on a sweater and a pair of socks. If you don't need it, don't buy it or use it.
It was a good foundation to think about all the new things to think about. Light bulbs. Recycling. Reusable shopping bags. Rain barrels. Compost bins.
It has made me consider how I am connected to the earth in a physical and spiritual way. I am not a formless soul floating and flitting about. I am embodied, living and breathing in contact with and in relationship with the earth. I do not believe the earth has a soul in the way you and I have a soul, but I believe that the earth and I am formed and created by the same God. We are connected by our Creator, and the whole creation does cry out. Out my window I can see some of the earth's cries in shades of green, brown, white, yellow, pink, red, blue, and purple.
It matters because every week my church family and I pray,
"Our Father who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven
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