April 22 , 2018 /

Earth Day Lessons

A friend, Alli Polin, commented recently, “We think transitions are endings but they’re really what the word is all about… movement including the time in between landings.”  That stuck with me for some reason so I explored it a little further, that phrase “the time in between landings” being particularly resonant.   Here was my immediate response, some additional commentary following.  “Sitting with a question, letting it percolate and see what comes up (or down) can be a revealing exercise. Too often we are impatient for an answer. Nature is seldom in a hurry so what’s our rush when we could let something mature and evolve with a little more time. We’ve succumbed to the faster is better syndrome. Not always, so sometimes we may need to say, hang on there, not so fast. Let’s just take it a step at a time.”

That’s the lesson from Nature.  She’s seldom in a hurry.  There is some kind of universal wisdom here and the message of slowing down, not only to smell the roses or the coffee, but to really stop, look and listen, not for an oncoming train, but to really look at and listen to the lessons Nature has to offer. After all, we are part of the natural world. We are born into it and we will return to it.  For now, it’s our home as well as our Mother and we would do well to offer her a bit more care and respect.  There are hundreds of ways we can do that and I encourage you to find your own and claim them.  I would love to hear what you did if you care to share.

Here are a few earth day lessons:

  • Eat what you need to sustain your vitality.
  • Save resources for leaner times.
  • Add some color to your life.
  • Figure out what you don’t need and let it go.
  • Wait and don’t try to rush the process. Let it work.
  • Embrace and celebrate inevitable change.
  • Know that what is not seen is often more important than what is seen.

Make it a happy Earth Day, maybe even a week, month or year.  Whatever works and in any case, be grateful for the sounds, the beauty, the rhythms of Nature, the gifts of the Earth. far beyond exploiting the natural resources to the the point of depletion and our own detriment.  Help when and where you can.  Take a walk, look and listen, plant a tree, or a garden, pick up some trash, get connected.

 

 

 

Comments (2)

  1. First of all, thanks for continuing the conversation :). Also, it’s interesting, this is the first year I’ve seen my son interested in environmental issues. While there are many ways to care for our planet, he’s discovered one that I found much older – protest. In our little outback town, fracking is a big issue and deep concern for our water supply. Caring enough to not only appreciate the pace of nature and the beauty around us there is also a time to rise up and protect what matters for our future.

    Alli

    1. And thank you too for the ongoing dialogue. Give you son a big hug for his ongoing concern as these kids are the ones who are going to have to deal with the mess that we’re leaving them. I have a grandson (daughter’s son) graduating from college very interested in environmental sustainability and a son who has devoted his science teaching career to preserving animal and plant species. Proud of them for their commitments. The future may be uncertain but I am encourage by all the kids I see willing to tackle BIG issues. What a great way for them to learn!

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *