Chapter 1: A Unique Perspective on Waste

Growing up on a farm offers a distinctive outlook on waste, particularly animal droppings. My upbringing has honed my ability to distinguish various types of feces—cow, chicken, horse, pig, and dog—much like a connoisseur would identify different cheeses or wines.

During a recent family camping trip, we experienced an unexpected visitor: a bear. While we slept, it rummaged through our truck in search of food, leaving behind a sizeable pile of droppings reminiscent of a banana cream pie next to our campfire ashes. Now, I can add the scent of bear feces to my catalog of experiences.

However, my intention isn’t to showcase my olfactory skills but to encourage a shift in your perception of waste. This change in mindset could lead to greater happiness and help you avoid being bothered by minor annoyances, like unpleasant odors in the restroom.

One of my mother’s key pieces of advice comes to mind:

“If you create an unpleasant odor in the bathroom, wash your hands thoroughly with soap. Once your hands are covered in a rich lather, hum a tune and dance around a bit.”

While there’s a scientific basis for this approach, I’ve never delved deeply into it. I’ve always felt that my mother’s wisdom was beyond questioning.

Returning to the topic at hand, let’s assume your bathroom odor indeed comes from feces. While it may initially seem unpleasant, let’s look beyond that.

Often, we perceive waste as an endpoint—it’s the leftover material from our meals that our bodies couldn’t process and no longer need. We flush it away and seldom think of it again.

But what if we viewed waste not as an end, but as a beginning?

Waste enriches the soil, nourishes plants, and sustains entire ecosystems. Without it, gardens would wither, fruits would fail to ripen, and forests would lose their vitality. While we depend on plants for sustenance, we often overlook the fact that they, in turn, rely on us and other animals to break down organic matter and return essential nutrients to the soil.

Recently, I spoke to a group of school leaders—each with advanced degrees and impressive credentials—about the origins of our food. When I asked what cows eat, most replied “grass,” but one individual candidly admitted, “I have no idea.”

Let’s focus on cows for a moment. We depend on them for meat and dairy, but can we extend our understanding? Cows also play a critical role in transforming grass into nutrients that benefit insects and plants alike.

Nutrient cycling has been a fundamental process in ecosystems since the dawn of time.

We tend to shy away from the idea that waste can nourish our food, but consider this: the true waste lies in our plastic consumption, which often ends up in landfills, contributing to environmental harm. Unlike waste, which is recycled back into nature, plastic is a one-way street with limited potential for renewal.

When animals excrete waste, it decomposes and nourishes the surrounding flora. In contrast, wrappers from our snacks often end up buried and forgotten.

But enough of the somber reflections on waste.

Let’s shift focus to whales!

Whales are fascinating creatures. These enormous marine mammals engage in various behaviors, including singing and nurturing their young. And yes, they produce waste.

When whales rise to the surface, they release what’s known as a ‘fecal plume’ into the ocean. While it may appear unappealing, these plumes supply vital nutrients to the water’s surface, supporting plankton, which in turn sustains numerous marine species.

Recently, I’ve begun to view these fecal plumes as a metaphor for life’s challenges. Every difficult experience can serve as an opportunity—a new beginning.

I often coach teachers who express frustration over students’ lack of knowledge. I remind them that if children arrived fully informed, teaching would be significantly more challenging.

When systems falter, when people let you down, or when your belongings fail—while such moments can be discouraging, they are akin to your personal fecal plume. Delivered to you by fate or circumstance, these challenges present chances for growth.

If life were smooth sailing, we would miss out on opportunities to showcase our resilience. We wouldn’t have the chance to evolve from tiny fish into formidable creatures with the ability to overcome obstacles.

Just as the ocean relies on whale waste to thrive, so too do we need to embrace life’s messier aspects to flourish. So, take a moment to appreciate the magnificence of whales and the vital role they play in our ecosystem.