What is an Eco-Guardian-in-Training? Are You One?

Not long ago and more nights than I care to remember, two questions kept me awake at night.What is an Eco-Guardian-in-Training (EGIT)?And are you one?The questions wouldn’t let me go. They prompted me to remember a time from my past when I co-founded the Life On Purpose Institute and, for 22 years, watched thousands of people begin their journey by taking the Life On Purpose Self-Test. That simple tool became the first step for countless people clarifying and living into their Divinely Inspired Purpose.And it hit me: maybe it’s time for a new self-test.Not for purpose alone this time, but for something bigger:To help people of all ages — from curious 10-year-olds to wise elders — discover where they are on the journey of becoming an Eco-Guardian.A Bit of BackstoryLong before One Cause had a name, I was writing eco-fiction for young people with this mission in my heart:To inspire young people to become joyful lifelong readers and responsible, caring stewards of the Earth and all her inhabitants.As One Cause evolved, a new name surfaced for that vision: Eco-Guardians.Eco-Guardians aren’t superheroes (though they sometimes feel like it). They are ordinary people who remember the extraordinary truth: we are not separate from nature, but part of it. Their calling is simple and profound—to care for Earth, her creatures, and each other.But how do we know if we’re on this path?That’s where the Eco-Guardian Self-Test comes in.The Self-Test: Three Paths, One JourneyWe’ve created three versions of the Self-Test, each tuned to where you are in life:* Eco-Guardian Foundations Test (ages 10–14): 10 questions to help younger seekers explore belonging, kindness, curiosity, and gratitude.* Eco-Guardian Growth Test (ages 15–18): 15 questions that stretch into resilience, systems thinking, and identity.* Eco-Guardian Mastery Test (adults & elders): 20 questions for those ready to weave stewardship, reciprocity, and mentorship into daily life.Each test is short, fun, and designed to help you see both your strengths and your growth edges.And like any true initiation, there are stages of progress: Explorer → Helper → Hero. Awakening → Engaged → Thriving. And ultimately: Stewardship.Why It MattersThe Self-Test isn’t about a score. It’s about remembering who we really are.Through myth, story, and the 20 Qualities of Eco-Guardianship, we are building not just a new kind of human being — but remembering who we’ve been all along, before the Four Great Untruths clouded our way.How to Take the TestHere’s where it gets fun. The Self-Test will live inside the Secret Library, alongside Ra-Kit’s Initiation and other treasures. (All of which are available on a “Pay What You Will” format.)Why? Because this isn’t just a “quiz.” It’s a portal.When you step through, you’ll not only gain access to the Eco-Guardian Self-Test Report (with all three versions), but you’ll also be joining a circle of people committed to remembering and living as Eco-Guardians (and who has access to the growing resources found within the Eco-Guardian Secret Library. An InvitationTake the test. Share your results here either as a comment or join this week’s chat: Then, invite your kids, grandkids, students, or friends to do the same.Share with the community:* What stage are you on the path?* What quality are you most proud of?* What’s one edge you’re excited to grow?Let’s see what happens when we take this journey not just alone, but together.Because being an Eco-Guardian is not a title. It’s a lifelong practice.And it begins with a single step of remembering.We’re growing a community of Eco-Guardians-In-Training so join this movement within the larger movement of the Great Turning. Subscribe for free or with a paid subscription. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wbradfordswift.substack.com/subscribe