To Till and to Tend

Tsimtsum, the Hebrew word for self-contraction, is a Kabbalistic, theological term which describes the Creator's self-contraction to make space for creation itself. (Hope you agree with how I boiled that really big concept down!) But I like to think of it in human behavioral terms, a goal or midah (virtue) to guide my actions. We certainly are not going to correct planetary crisis by virtuous actions alone - we need smart policy to go down that path - but virtuous acts add up and make a huge difference, one by one.
The kavanah, or intent, of one's actions can frame them in a spiritual way and give a positive spin to actions that might be perceived as onerous or negative. Curricula on Jewish Environmentalism always stress Bal Tashcit, the avoidance of waste. Thinking of not wasting act as tsimtsum gives a different flavor.
In secular culture we use similar language when we say someone "takes up a lot of space" - usually about their social persona. Tsimtsum can be both about taking up less air space in interactions but also about materially consuming fewer resources. So many opportunities to reign ourselves in a little!

• Carrying a set of utensils and mug, so you avoid disposables.
• Walking instead of driving.
• Staying put instead of jetting off on short vacations to distant places.
• Eating modestly - a vegetarian, or at least a meat-reductionist diet, saves many more resources for others.
• Not flushing the toilet every time you use it - quite a departure from American norms, but especially if you live alone, very sensible.
• Not buying bottled water, but taking the time to fill a bottle with tap water.
• Air drying laundry.
• Not accumulating too many clothes, shoes, or pocketbooks.
• Not leaving food on your plate. (In our culture of gargantuan proportions and excessive food at social events, this one is really challenging.)
• Not leaving lights and stoves on for Shabbat and instead devising a more environmentally responsible method of providing for your Sabbath needs.
• Carrying a name tag and reusing it at conferences and community events.

I'm sure the list of your tsimtsum moments is long, as well.
Share some! Let's see how long a list we can make. Together we can have LESS impact! Which is a way of actually having an impact, of course.

image from http://mysticlink.blogspot.com/ - "Pardes+HaTorah