The aftermath called sustainability

Sustainability used to be a topic that made me uneasy, something I never really felt equipped to tackle. It wasn’t even on my radar—I’d never pause to consider how to make things last. Maybe it’s just never been part of my nature—until now. Also I did not give it a thought and kept on at it unknowingly.

From the outside, it looks like we’re constantly finding ways to prioritize sustainability when the moment calls for it. But how successful are we, really? Are we making meaningful strides, or are we left scrambling, feeling drained, and maybe even a little lost in the process?

I came across a video where a mother sat cradling her newborn between two bustling, heavily trafficked roads. The only semblance of shelter she had was the shadow cast by an overhead flyover. Amid the chaos, a Good Samaritan, eager to feel like a hero, recorded how they set up a water and snack kiosk for the mother—a temporary gesture to help her get by, all while capturing the moment for social media. The idea struck a chord, quickly going viral and racking up millions of views.

But beyond the feel-good fa?ade, what about everyone else struggling to survive in that same harsh reality? What happens to this mother and her child when the eyes of those around them, equally desperate, start to shift? Will they become the targets of envy, resentment, or even hostility from others fighting their own battles?

And if the pressures of the environment—whether through force or coercion—tear down that fragile setup, has the Good Samaritan really made a lasting difference? The answer is NO. The real work isn’t in the temporary aid or the viral moment; it’s in addressing the deeper, more complex struggles that persist long after the cameras stop rolling.

Sustainability plays a critical role in becoming an enabler for long-term benefit. To truly help someone, we need to think beyond the immediate and find ways to create an environment that lasts. But how often do we do the same in our own lives?

We talk about sustainability, but how often do we really examine it at its core? On the surface, we may label our anchors—those things we rely on—based on what’s convenient in the moment. But are they real solutions, or just quick fixes? Are we relying on external crutches, or should we be searching for the inner anchors that only fail when we allow them to?

Have we ever considered building and nurturing those kinds of sustainable prototypes within ourselves—and extending that vision to the larger society? True sustainability, both in life and in the world, is not just about external systems. It’s about cultivating inner strength, resilience, and solutions that stand the test of time instead of feeding to the bitterness when the privileges are snatched away as unsustainable...

What do you think?

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