--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are losing our living systems, social…" description: "\"We are losing our living systems, social systems, cultural systems, governing systems, stability, and our constitutional health, and we're surrendering..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48e/paul-hawken-3831_governing_we-are-losing-our-living-systems-social_1971910.png" --- # We are losing our living systems, social systems, cultural… ![“We are losing our living systems, social systems, cultural systems, governing systems, stability, and our constitutional health, and we're surrendering it all at the same time.” quote by Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48e/paul-hawken-3831_governing_we-are-losing-our-living-systems-social_1971910.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48e/paul-hawken-3831_governing_we-are-losing-our-living-systems-social_1971910.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48e/paul-hawken-3831_governing_we-are-losing-our-living-systems-social_1971910.png) > “We are losing our living systems, social systems, cultural systems, governing systems, stability, and our constitutional health, and we're surrendering it all at the same time.” [Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Societal systems are deteriorating while we ignore them, threatening health and stability. **In simple terms:** We’re losing many systems at once. Key Takeaway Act to protect social and environmental systems. Themes environment society governance Mood urgent concerned Type activist philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - community organizing - business strategy - education Key Concepts systems theory sustainability Questions to Reflect On - What system are you most willing to defend? - How can you influence systemic change? A Different Perspective Complex problems need coordinated solutions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cultural Systems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cultural-systems-3316426/) [Governing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/governing/) [Health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health/) [Health Surrendering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health-surrendering-3316424/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Losing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/losing/) [Losing Living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/losing-living-3316425/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Stability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stability/) [Surrendering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surrendering/) ## Related quotes > [No one grows old by living - only by losing interest in living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-beynon-lyons-ray/no-one-grows-old-by-living-only-by-losing-interest-in-living/) [Marie Beynon Lyons Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-beynon-lyons-ray/) > [“In the end, it is not about winning or losing; it is about living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anastasia-bitkova/in-the-end-it-is-not-about-winning-or-losing-it-is-about-living/) [Anastasia Bitkova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anastasia-bitkova/) > [“To simply survive appears to be the choice of the plodding hoards that wander all around me. Therefore, I’ve adamantly committed to never hoard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/to-simply-survive-appears-to-be-the-choice-of-the-plodding-hoards/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [“Given our new situation, I think you should find a more appropriate way to address me Polly. Do so now please.” I don’t even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-brandon/given-our-new-situation-i-think-you-should-find-a-more-appropriate/) [Felicity Brandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-brandon/) > [“If you know how to put aside the relative world in which you are not influenced by anyone, that is called true surrendering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/if-you-know-how-to-put-aside-the-relative-world-in-which-you-are-not/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [“See the stars, Lily?" She sighed, surrendering. "Of course." "Do you think they can see the sun coming up?" "I don't know. Probably?" "Do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-greenwood-brown/see-the-stars-lily-she-sighed-surrendering-of-course-do-you-think/) [Anne Greenwood Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-greenwood-brown/) > [“You need to keep hurting until you realise you never needed to hurt in the first place.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/you-need-to-keep-hurting-until-you-realise-you-never-needed-to-hurt/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [Discovering a richer quality of being-ness means to keep surrendering and letting go of resistance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/discovering-a-richer-quality-of-being-ness-means-to-keep-surrendering/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [Nothing is meaningful except surrendering to love. Do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/nothing-is-meaningful-except-surrendering-to-love-do-it/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [“Evaluate every aspect of your life, and ask yourself, “Is there more I could be surrendering to God (time, money, gifts)?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarrid-wilson/evaluate-every-aspect-of-your-life-and-ask-yourself-is-there-more-i/) [Jarrid Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarrid-wilson/) > [Surrendering means non-desiring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/surrendering-means-non-desiring/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Surrendering is faith that the power of love can accomplish anything even when you cannot foresee the outcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/surrendering-is-faith-that-the-power-of-love-can-accomplish-anything/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What do you have to surrender? A drop has to dissolve into the ocean to become the ocean. And a drop cannot be greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/what-do-you-have-to-surrender-a-drop-has-to-dissolve-into-the-ocean/) [Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/) > [“The word surrender has some shadowy connotations. We think it’s weak to surrender, but sometimes it’s the bravest thing we can possibly do. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-sorenson/the-word-surrender-has-some-shadowy-connotations-we-think-it-s-weak/) [Toni Sorenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-sorenson/) > [Giving up something personal to the public, you are surrendering something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-hunter/giving-up-something-personal-to-the-public-you-are-surrendering/) [Holly Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-hunter/) ## More by Paul Hawken > [Information from destructive activities going back a hundred years right up until today is being incorporated into the system. And as that happens the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hawken/information-from-destructive-activities-going-back-a-hundred-years/) [Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) > [When the planes still swoop down and aerial spray a field in order to kill a predator insect with pesticides, we are in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hawken/when-the-planes-still-swoop-down-and-aerial-spray-a-field-in-order-to/) [Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) > [The great thing about the dilemma we're in is that we get to re-imagine every single thing we do...There isn't a single thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hawken/the-great-thing-about-the-dilemma-we-re-in-is-that-we-get-to-re/) [Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) > [Luck is earned. Luck is working so hard at your craft, service or enterprise that sooner or later you get a break.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hawken/luck-is-earned-luck-is-working-so-hard-at-your-craft-service-or/) [Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) > [Healing the wounds of the earth and its people does not require saintliness or a political party, only gumption and persistence. 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If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hawken/if-you-look-at-the-science-that-describes-what-is-happening-on-earth/) [Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) > [All is connected ... no one thing can change by itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hawken/all-is-connected-no-one-thing-can-change-by-itself/) [Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) > [We can no longer prosper by increasing human productivity. The more we try to do, the more poverty we will create.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hawken/we-can-no-longer-prosper-by-increasing-human-productivity-the-more-we/) [Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) > [Throughout the industrial era, economists considered manufactured capital - money, factories, etc. - the principal factor in industrial production, and perceived natural capital as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hawken/throughout-the-industrial-era-economists-considered-manufactured/) [Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) > [his planet came with a set of instructions, but we seem to have misplaced them. Important rules like don’t poison the water, soil, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hawken/his-planet-came-with-a-set-of-instructions-but-we-seem-to-have/) [Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) > [Sustainability, ensuring the future of life on Earth, is an infinite game, the endless expression of generosity on behalf of all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hawken/sustainability-ensuring-the-future-of-life-on-earth-is-an-infinite/) [Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) [Explore all 121 Paul Hawken quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) ## More Governing quotes > [The prediction of nuclear winter is drawn not, of course, from any direct experience with the consequences of global nuclear war, but rather from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/the-prediction-of-nuclear-winter-is-drawn-not-of-course-from-any/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [The US has developed two coordinate governing classes: the one, called 'business,' building cities, manufacturing and distributing goods, and holding complete and autocratic power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thurman-arnold/the-us-has-developed-two-coordinate-governing-classes-the-one-called/) [Thurman Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thurman-arnold/) > [It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if the laws be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-will-be-of-little-avail-to-the-people-that-the-laws-are-made-by/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [While receiving radiation treatment for a thyroid illness, I had refused to take beta-blockers - a medication that would have eased its side effects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-devers/while-receiving-radiation-treatment-for-a-thyroid-illness-i-had/) [Gail Devers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-devers/) > [Plato long ago pointed out the importance of being governed by men with sufficient sense of responsibility and comprehension of public duties to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/plato-long-ago-pointed-out-the-importance-of-being-governed-by-men/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [For me, governing starts with people. It doesn't start with bureaucracy. It doesn't start with policy. It starts with people and what people need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-hodges/for-me-governing-starts-with-people-it-doesn-t-start-with-bureaucracy/) [Betsy Hodges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-hodges/) > [The EU Constitution is something new in human history. Though it is not as eloquent as the French and U.S. constitutions, it is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-rifkin/the-eu-constitution-is-something-new-in-human-history-though-it-is/) [Jeremy Rifkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-rifkin/) > [A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/a-prohibition-law-strikes-a-blow-at-the-very-principles-upon-which/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The attack on youth is a national pathology, unwarranted by fact, smokescreen for the failure of adulthood and its leadership to confront larger predicaments.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-a-males/the-attack-on-youth-is-a-national-pathology-unwarranted-by-fact/) [Mike A. Males](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-a-males/) > [“If you do not have a moral question in your governing process, then you do not have a process that is going to survive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oren-lyons/if-you-do-not-have-a-moral-question-in-your-governing-process-then/) [Oren Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oren-lyons/) > [ \[The current governing judicial philosophy is:\] If you want something passionately enough, it is guaranteed by the Constitution. No need to fiddle around gathering… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bork/the-current-governing-judicial-philosophy-is-if-you-want-something/) [Robert Bork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bork/) > [It is already clear that, because of advances in technology, drones are going to play an increased role in warfare in the years ahead.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-alexander/it-is-already-clear-that-because-of-advances-in-technology-drones-are/) [Douglas Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-alexander/) > [Following World War II, the U.S. was the architect of the UN system, and the world financial system, and the Human Rights Declaration, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burroughs/following-world-war-ii-the-u-s-was-the-architect-of-the-un-system-and/) [John Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burroughs/) > [This isn't about fans, greed or money. It's about being morally right or wrong. 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