Soapbox Monday: Earth Day, what's it to you?

Friday is the big day: Earth Day.

No matter that in the 41 years since it was first held, it has grown to Earth Week. And Earth Month.

The national eco-consciousness has changed. We've grown. We've made the world a better place.

There's still a lot to do, of course. And maybe the day should encompass both these thoughts -- where we've come from, where we have to go.

For me, I'm usually just exhausted by Earth Day. I've spent the previous two months taking phone calls and getting press releases from every press person in existence, it seems. They want me to write about their products, as if Earth Day is one big consumer event. Don't they get it? It makes me sad. And I fear I've been snarly with a few of them. Sorry!

On the other hand, another whole set of publicists wants me to write about their LEED buildings, their sustainability events, their community green fairs. And isn't that great? I can't write about all of them, of course, but I consider each one evidence of a better world.

Come Friday, I think I'll plant a few more seeds for my vegetable garden. I'll breathe the air and listen to the birds and feel grateful to be on such a beautiful planet, even with its flaws.

For this week's Soapbox Monday, I hope you'll share in the comments section below what you'll be doing on Earth Day, and what it means to you.