Maintain your resolve

This was written in 2002 by Peter Douglas, the CEO of the Californian Coastal Commission.  The personal commitment to stay in the campaign for a better world shines through, so please transfer the contexts in which Peter speaks to your own situation, and focus on the personal dimension.  When it all seems too much, please recall Peter’s words. 

"As defenders of environmental values, our challenge is to make a compelling case for stronger protections. It is our task to explain clearly and accurately the causes and threats to human and environmental health and quality. We must do the homework required to understand the issues in order to come at them from a position of strength armed with knowledge. We must mobilize resources and develop and implement effective strategies. And we must be resolute and relentless in our advocacy for or against policies that affect the well-being of the natural and human environment even if that means defeat. Environmental advocacy is tough duty. To do it well requires idealism, passion, integrity, dedication, sacrifice, smarts and staying power. It requires a willingness to embrace conflict and to stand strong against forces of exploitation and greed. It means striving to ensure that environmental well-being is not sacrificed on the altar of expediency and pragmatism. When seemingly irresistible and inexorable forces of environmental destruction push us to the edge of despair, we must think of the life that follows in our wake and reach for another measure of strength within us to never give up. Notwithstanding many defeats and few victories, in the end we will have prevailed because we tried."