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"Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents,
it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from
our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children. --Ancient Native
American Proverb
We in the northern hemisphere celebrate Earth Day next Tuesday, April 22,
2008. We have been commemorating Earth Day for 38 years; the first event
being founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970.
In the early 70's, as a passionate high schooler, I remember organizing a
community bike ride to my school in honor of Earth Day, a cause I felt
deeply about even then. One of my classmate's fathers arranged to have
the event covered on the evening news. Quite a thrill!
Today, environmental issues have become even more urgent and the fate of
our Mother Earth (and our survival on this planet) is resting in the
balance.
With Al Gore's documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, Leonardo di
Caprio's 11th Hour, and a multitude of other sources, we've been
made aware of the environmental crisis we face and the implications for
our children and grandchildren.
In the 70's, I had a bumper sticker on my school notebook with a
beautiful picture of the Earth viewed from outer space and the words,
"Love Your Mother".
But our predominant cultural values have so disconnected us from our
relationship with the Earth that most of us have forgotten how to honor,
care for and live in balance with our "Mother". We have forgotten
that she is the source of all life and that our survival depends on
treating her well.
This month, I invite you to remember and think of ways to honor, care for
and live more in balance with this incredible planet we inhabit.
We can do this through simple individual actions, including: using
fluorescent light bulbs, turning off the lights if we'll be leaving a
room for more than 10 minutes, recycling, taking our own reusable bags
when we shop (see http://www.chicobag.com/), unplugging appliances
when they're not in use, buying local and organic, driving a
fuel-efficient car, walking or biking whenever possible, working from
home, telecommuting at least one or two days a week, flying less,
supporting alternative energy initiatives, planting a tree, helping
preserve a forest, or taking action to offset our carbon load. (To learn
more about offsets, visit: http://www.mycarbondebt.com/).
A wonderful way to reconnect with the Earth is to simply spend time in
nature. Hiking in the mountains, walking by the ocean, picnicking in a
park, tending a garden, appreciating a sunset or getting up for the
sunrise, noticing what phase of the moon we're in, gazing at a
star-filled sky (if you can find one!) - these are all powerful ways to
remember who we are and where we come from.
Eckhart Tolle (A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose)
describes nature as a readily available reflection of who we really are:
abundance, vitality, beauty and well-being. Being in nature helps us
reconnect with our true essence and gives us access to the peace of the
present moment. It's good for the soul!
And from a place of connection and appreciation, it's only natural to
want to do what we can to preserve such life-giving magnificence for
ourselves, our children and our children's children.
So go out now, hug a tree, and tell your Mother you love her!
Happy Earth Day!
Carol
To learn more about Earth Day and events in your area, visit: http://earthday.envirolink.org/
Earth, Teach Me
Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light.
Earth teach me suffering ~ as old stones suffer with memory.
Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning.
Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young.
Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone.
Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground.
Earth teach me freedom ~ as the eagle that soars in the sky.
Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die each fall.
Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring.
Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life.
Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain.
A Ute Prayer
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