It is a common understanding in physics that for every action there is an equal and opposite re-action. This is Newton's Third Law of Motion. Scientists explain that whenever an object pushes on another object, the object pushing is actually propelled back in the opposite direction with equally powerful force and energy. If we consider how a rocket works, the rocket's action is to push down on the ground with the full force of its powerful rocket engines. The reaction however is that the ground pushes the rocket upwards with an equal force — in the opposite direction!

This example gives hope to those of us who may wonder why the natural and organic industries seem to suffer large set backs legislatively and in business settings. From one perspective, the industry is booming in all categories — foods, supplements, personal care products, green cleaning and home products. But the ability to source pure foods and ingredients is constantly challenged often provoking a "what next" response from consumer and industry members alike, i.e. those concerned about protecting their health, the environment and the purity of the growing industry and its manufacturing and distribution processes.

The good news is that Newton's Third Law suggests that all actions, progress and change which seems to be going in the wrong direction, are in fact propelling us with great force in the opposite direction towards the kinds of positive industry change that we really want to see.

We Can Be the Source of Positive Change

In many cultural and religious traditions, a similar understanding prevails regarding the effects of our actions. Religious scriptures proclaim "As you sow, so shall you reap." This concept considers the effects of action and its reactions from a different perspective.

Every single thought, word and action has an effect on the environment both near and far. This concept, based on modern physics, views everything in existence as being made of fundamental vibrations which fluctuate both in an underlying unified field and throughout the cosmos. From this perspective, we have to consider that every choice that we make and every action we engage in, cannot be considered in isolation. Every single moment of our lives, everything that we do, has an impact on our friends, our neighbors, our community, our society, our nation, our world, far distant stars, planets, galaxies and the universe as a whole.

As such, we have a choice and it is important that at all times we strive to make the best and most life-supporting choices. We have to think what kind of life we want to create for our world and in what direction we want the cosmos to unfold. Can we stop global warming and climate change? Can we inhibit other harmful environmental trends? Can we create peace and harmony in the world? Can we solve the health and food security crises in the world? We have a choice and every choice that we make, plants a seed that we will reap both individually and collectively. As natural/organic industry leaders and consumers, the reality is that we want to make choices in favor of positive and evolutionary global change as well as ensuring a profit and meeting consumer needs. This means we act locally, while having an effect globally!

We have to realize that our small daily concerns which may seem like very large issues surrounding natural and organic production and the industry as a whole, are in fact not separate from the progress of our world. What we choose now may in fact come back to us as either positive support for our aspirations or as unduly large obstacles which seem to impede the outcomes we desire.

Today and every day is the right time to go for the highest standards in food and product purity. Today is the right day to recommit to maintaining the highest standards for environmental protection, for organic agriculture, for ingredient selection and supply chain verification as well as the highest business and manufacturing ethic to support nothing less than the best, nothing less than the highest, nothing less than the most perfect and healthy industry products and production that we are capable of offering. Despite environmental pollution, despite unfortunate legislation, despite obstacles to creating a perfect and ideal world, as industry leaders and natural/organic consumers we have to keep our eyes on the goal and continue to raise the bar daily to ensure the best and most ideal outcomes for natural and organic production.

As you sow so shall you reap. Plant a carrot. Get a carrot. Not a brussel sprout.

We can only receive the fruits of the specific seeds that we plant. With this in mind, now is the time to recommit to actions which plant the seeds of perfection daily and recommit to the highest possible standards for the natural/organic industry and the protection of our beautiful world for all generations to come.

Simi Summer, Ph.D. is an organic advocate, independent researcher, educator, and freelance writer. She is a strong proponent of organic consumer education and informed consumer choices.