Certain commonly believed ideas and values must be outgrown when more truth becomes evident, and we become wiser as a species. One such notion that needs transcending is the “bigger is better” concept. Many of us were well indoctrinated into the “growth is good” school of thinking for the best of reasons. Yet we now have discovered that there is a danger to our survival in this expansionism value.

 It is time to balance the “more is meaningful” myth with truer and timely needed values; “smaller, cleaner, efficient and safer.”  In everything from earth’s human population, energy resource and food consumption, to deadly weapon manufacturing, building dimensions and urban-suburban development.

“Downsizing and safe, clean, efficiency” must be the new guides.  It will be a meaningful challenge to go in this new direction with the dividend being a healthier planet for all.

Timothy Hume Behrendt

Cold Brook, N.Y.

Editors note: Timothy Behrendt is a minister and counselor residing in Cold Brook, N.Y.