In the World, but Not Of the World

How does one live in this world and still maintain a connection with the Higher Self without being labeled a "party pooper" or a "wet blanket"?

We just had a big Fourth of July holiday weekend which translates into lots of family, friends, food, and celebration! I love being with my family, but my Buddhist tendencies cause conflicting feelings about the wastefulness of food and the assault on nature with the explosion of fireworks.

I live where sea life abounds. When the taking of that sea life is allowed, there's a feeding frenzy. Boatloads of fishermen descend upon the waters dropping their traps with the intention of capturing far more seafood than their group can devour. I enjoy the flavor of the delicacies from the sea as well as anyone else, but how do I resolve the conflict between my vow to "do no harm" and cooking a dozen beautiful dungeness crab that my family has just pulled from the water? My heart is torn between seeing my family enjoy their bounty and watching many lives die when there's already a refrigerator full of fresh food.

Living along the water also means that we have many species of shore birds that entertain us with their chatter, diving skills, and playful antics. The beach and air are clean all year, except on busy holiday weekends. This is when the noise scares the birds out of their treetop resting places and the smoke in the air from exploded fireworks makes the beautiful trees just a hazy memory. Remnants of these explosions litter the beach, yards, and water. Why do we feel that this is necessary in order to enjoy a day commemorating our country's independence?

I've chosen to handle these conflicts by giving away much of the extra food that accumulated from the overzealous appetites of my guests and by watching the firework displays without purchasing and setting off any of my own. This might be an adequate solution for the present moment, but it falls short of what my conscience desires. My Higher Self finds this world of material extravagance a difficult place to reside.