After the 2016 election, I joined and then started a local chapter of an organization called Citizens Climate Lobby. It’s a non-partisan group focused on climate solutions. I found it rewarding. I also just started reading The Hidden Life of Trees based on my niece’s recommendation which I think I’m going to enjoy. Keep fighting for all you do and all you believe in. You’re not alone.
Thank you. Like a mountain meadow after spring thaw; ducklings on a pond; or a glorious desert sunset, this line is wonderful… “I will honor life, all life.” It is like finding our kind of “heaven on earth”. Such as being among a random stand of trees and connecting with their energy and strength. Being at a distance, but connected to what is going on. Everyone has a uniquely personal resonance and connection in this world. Some are lucky to recognize it early, and others don’t until the much of life leaves them alone for a while. The world around us resonates in many ways for us to pause, connect, and absorb. Perhaps there is some merit in using our hands and minds to modify it, but never duplicated. The existential part of “being” is just recognizing and enjoying other things as they were meant to “be”. And it doesn’t require an Amazon account to be able to do that. Just time, interest, awareness, and acceptance. And the title of your piece (“Nature Creates What Humanity Cannot”) speaks to that so well.
You're so very welcome friend. Your line really stuck with me "everyone has a uniquely personal resonance and connection in this world." Oof. I am so saddened by those that are ignoring theirs, in order to make more money. Thank YOU again.
I too worry about this a lot. I think most of the asinine things being done at a federal level right now can be repaired in 4 years. The things we are doing to nature, probably not.
I believe and have always gravitated to what they call the "thin places." those landscapes that are magical, heavenly, spiritual to the point of not understanding why they consume me so . It's then that I know and am reminded that I am so small in this natural world. Still, small or not, we are all—every rock, plant, and animal—part of a bigger sphere and we need to help each other through the chaos.
Your two meditations on "thin places" were read aloud to my wife yesterday. We both agree, share some of yours actually (Glendalough, absolutely a yes) and were so captivated by it. Thank you, as per usual.
I feel very blessed that I get to live in a beautiful jungle and be in awe on a daily basis by the nature that surrounds me. I have always had Snow White like aspirations when it comes to the natural kingdom and have long given up the urban life for one of life on the outskirts. Whether on a boat on the North West pacific coast, a Caribbean Island, or the rainforests of Guatemala, I feel more at home in amounts the trees and on the water. And ya, I talk to all the animals every day. In cities, there is solace in the isolation of the crowds when someone with a dog passes. Because it's socially acceptable to talk to dogs. But never their owners! Unless it is about said dog(s). Such is the world we have created!
Here in the jungle, the most beautiful place I know is only 40 minutes up the road from where I live. It is an incredible hot water fall that cascades over cavernous, lime scaled boulders where it collides with a cool river that flows from further up the mountain range. I call it Nature's spa because the thrashing hot water soothes your back like a massage, there is natural clay you can cover your face and skin with that leaves you smooth and soft all over. You can dive under the waterfall to enter the steaming caves for a sauna and if you lay down and float in the crevices where there is just enough space for your head above water, it is like you're in a sensory deprivation tank. Oh and there are pesky little fish that bite at your dead skin, which people apparently pay big money for, but it makes me jump and shout profanities so it's not my favourite treatment on the list! It is my favourite place to visit and every time I go, I wonder why I don't visit more often.
The place is called Finca Paraiso and it is indeed a paradise. It is my church and I am so grateful that the owners of the land are so generous to share it with the public. For only $2.00, you can enter their property and enjoy the wonders of this spot for hours. There is a local man, Don Francisco who has been the care taker there for decades and he makes sure everyone's belongings are safe. Children from the local village swarm you upon your arrival to sell freshly opened coconuts, banana bread, or if you are lucky, fried breadfruit. The teenaged boys speak Q'eqchi on the rocks as they jump off their high perches while showing off for the foreign girls in bikinis. I can only imagine what would happen if a big corporation wanted to come in and privatize the place into a gentrified spa for high end tourists. Stealing this natural wonder from the people who have cared for it, and bathed in its sacred waters for centuries. Who perform their ceremonies in the caves above the falls, where they give thanks for the natural abundance we are so blessed with here.
Side Note: Does anyone remember that cartoon the Smoggies from the 80s? I feel like we are living in that show these days. Maybe it wasn't popular in the US, but we should all go back and watch it! I worry for our planet, but more so I think the planet will be fine and we are the ones that will be wiped out so that she can heal herself if we don't learn to prioritize the balance of nature and take care of this incredible gift we are the stewards of. An iguana just crawled up the tree in front of me as I write this and now I am going to walk 10 feet from my desk and jump into the river because it is 40ºC!
You are so very, very blessed, but also so very intentional with all the good you put out into this world. You deserve every blessing, I hope you know this. When we come visit, show me this place.
Such beautiful sorrow! If only we could make it so everyone saw the world for the miracle it is, saw nature through a lens of reverence and awe. The sad fact is that the people in power see dollar signs where we see trees, animals, life, magic. Magic.
Our new Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, by virtue of taking over the leadership of the party currently in power, was the UN special envoy for climate change. We will have a federal election at the end of April/beginning of May to decide if he and his party stay in power. I can only hope so. Yes to paper straws!
Mother Earth deserves our respect, kindness and love..... it is our home, our bain of existence, where will we go if we don't protect her.... wake up you idiots in Washington
"I will revere." This resounded in my bones. We are not as separate from nature as so many people would have us believe. We need nature. We are nature. Like you, I worry about the natural world a lot. I will keep fighting for it. And now I'm going to go for a walk and enjoy the wondrous trees and birds. Thank you for your words.
You're right on the money, as usual Rachel. We are so not separate, but we treat ourselves as though we are, as though we are above it. How heartbreaking to see what is happening. Enjoy your trees, enjoy your air, breathe it in and hold hope.
"...because that's the point of this place". Thank you for always sharing what reminds you to live joyfully, kindly, and fully. We all need that reminder.
After the 2016 election, I joined and then started a local chapter of an organization called Citizens Climate Lobby. It’s a non-partisan group focused on climate solutions. I found it rewarding. I also just started reading The Hidden Life of Trees based on my niece’s recommendation which I think I’m going to enjoy. Keep fighting for all you do and all you believe in. You’re not alone.
Chris is fantastic. And I too have read that, and I too loved it. I'll keep fighting knowing people like you are beside me.
Thank you. Like a mountain meadow after spring thaw; ducklings on a pond; or a glorious desert sunset, this line is wonderful… “I will honor life, all life.” It is like finding our kind of “heaven on earth”. Such as being among a random stand of trees and connecting with their energy and strength. Being at a distance, but connected to what is going on. Everyone has a uniquely personal resonance and connection in this world. Some are lucky to recognize it early, and others don’t until the much of life leaves them alone for a while. The world around us resonates in many ways for us to pause, connect, and absorb. Perhaps there is some merit in using our hands and minds to modify it, but never duplicated. The existential part of “being” is just recognizing and enjoying other things as they were meant to “be”. And it doesn’t require an Amazon account to be able to do that. Just time, interest, awareness, and acceptance. And the title of your piece (“Nature Creates What Humanity Cannot”) speaks to that so well.
You're so very welcome friend. Your line really stuck with me "everyone has a uniquely personal resonance and connection in this world." Oof. I am so saddened by those that are ignoring theirs, in order to make more money. Thank YOU again.
I too worry about this a lot. I think most of the asinine things being done at a federal level right now can be repaired in 4 years. The things we are doing to nature, probably not.
I hope so on the first half of your statement, and I sadly agree with the second. What a disaster.
I believe and have always gravitated to what they call the "thin places." those landscapes that are magical, heavenly, spiritual to the point of not understanding why they consume me so . It's then that I know and am reminded that I am so small in this natural world. Still, small or not, we are all—every rock, plant, and animal—part of a bigger sphere and we need to help each other through the chaos.
Your two meditations on "thin places" were read aloud to my wife yesterday. We both agree, share some of yours actually (Glendalough, absolutely a yes) and were so captivated by it. Thank you, as per usual.
I feel very blessed that I get to live in a beautiful jungle and be in awe on a daily basis by the nature that surrounds me. I have always had Snow White like aspirations when it comes to the natural kingdom and have long given up the urban life for one of life on the outskirts. Whether on a boat on the North West pacific coast, a Caribbean Island, or the rainforests of Guatemala, I feel more at home in amounts the trees and on the water. And ya, I talk to all the animals every day. In cities, there is solace in the isolation of the crowds when someone with a dog passes. Because it's socially acceptable to talk to dogs. But never their owners! Unless it is about said dog(s). Such is the world we have created!
Here in the jungle, the most beautiful place I know is only 40 minutes up the road from where I live. It is an incredible hot water fall that cascades over cavernous, lime scaled boulders where it collides with a cool river that flows from further up the mountain range. I call it Nature's spa because the thrashing hot water soothes your back like a massage, there is natural clay you can cover your face and skin with that leaves you smooth and soft all over. You can dive under the waterfall to enter the steaming caves for a sauna and if you lay down and float in the crevices where there is just enough space for your head above water, it is like you're in a sensory deprivation tank. Oh and there are pesky little fish that bite at your dead skin, which people apparently pay big money for, but it makes me jump and shout profanities so it's not my favourite treatment on the list! It is my favourite place to visit and every time I go, I wonder why I don't visit more often.
The place is called Finca Paraiso and it is indeed a paradise. It is my church and I am so grateful that the owners of the land are so generous to share it with the public. For only $2.00, you can enter their property and enjoy the wonders of this spot for hours. There is a local man, Don Francisco who has been the care taker there for decades and he makes sure everyone's belongings are safe. Children from the local village swarm you upon your arrival to sell freshly opened coconuts, banana bread, or if you are lucky, fried breadfruit. The teenaged boys speak Q'eqchi on the rocks as they jump off their high perches while showing off for the foreign girls in bikinis. I can only imagine what would happen if a big corporation wanted to come in and privatize the place into a gentrified spa for high end tourists. Stealing this natural wonder from the people who have cared for it, and bathed in its sacred waters for centuries. Who perform their ceremonies in the caves above the falls, where they give thanks for the natural abundance we are so blessed with here.
Side Note: Does anyone remember that cartoon the Smoggies from the 80s? I feel like we are living in that show these days. Maybe it wasn't popular in the US, but we should all go back and watch it! I worry for our planet, but more so I think the planet will be fine and we are the ones that will be wiped out so that she can heal herself if we don't learn to prioritize the balance of nature and take care of this incredible gift we are the stewards of. An iguana just crawled up the tree in front of me as I write this and now I am going to walk 10 feet from my desk and jump into the river because it is 40ºC!
You are so very, very blessed, but also so very intentional with all the good you put out into this world. You deserve every blessing, I hope you know this. When we come visit, show me this place.
Such beautiful sorrow! If only we could make it so everyone saw the world for the miracle it is, saw nature through a lens of reverence and awe. The sad fact is that the people in power see dollar signs where we see trees, animals, life, magic. Magic.
Ahh I wish this every single day. You hit the nail on the head, all they see is dollar signs, all we do is weep.
Our new Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, by virtue of taking over the leadership of the party currently in power, was the UN special envoy for climate change. We will have a federal election at the end of April/beginning of May to decide if he and his party stay in power. I can only hope so. Yes to paper straws!
Ahhh yes to all of this. I'm excited for the prospect of change for you all, change in a positive direction.
Mother Earth deserves our respect, kindness and love..... it is our home, our bain of existence, where will we go if we don't protect her.... wake up you idiots in Washington
Touche :)
"I will revere." This resounded in my bones. We are not as separate from nature as so many people would have us believe. We need nature. We are nature. Like you, I worry about the natural world a lot. I will keep fighting for it. And now I'm going to go for a walk and enjoy the wondrous trees and birds. Thank you for your words.
You're right on the money, as usual Rachel. We are so not separate, but we treat ourselves as though we are, as though we are above it. How heartbreaking to see what is happening. Enjoy your trees, enjoy your air, breathe it in and hold hope.
"...because that's the point of this place". Thank you for always sharing what reminds you to live joyfully, kindly, and fully. We all need that reminder.
:) You're the bees knees, you know?