by Linda
John McConnell's proposal to honor the earth on the first day of spring in 1970 was the beginning of what we now call Earth Day and celebrate each year in April. Kudos to him for calling our attention to environmental issues and their impact on our planet.
What a beautiful planet we have! Just look out the window, the view is amazing.
It is a sad commentary to think that humans had gone so far away from the care of our planet. How did we reach the point where someone had to stand up and speak out to get our attention?
Native American tribes have for centuries, been keenly aware of the earth and their impact on it. Their lifestyle was to take only what was needed and waste nothing.
They practice many rituals, celebrations, song and dance and prayer to the earth in preparation to farm. And more song and dance and prayer to nature so there will be sun and rain for their crops. And finally song and dance and prayer after the fields are harvested in thanksgiving for what they received.
These ceremonies are still held today. Ancient rituals that they believe very strongly about. Some tribes in New Mexico post a schedule online. Spectators are not always welcome and when they are there are strict rules such as no talking and no photography and the rules are strictly enforced but if you ever have a chance to see one, you will be amazed.
We should care this much that the soil our food is grown in is not contaminated. We should care this much that the rain or stream that is used for irrigation is not contaminated.
I remember when bottled water was first being sold. I thought it was ridiculous. Who would buy it? Well, I was wrong. Millions of bottles have been sold and millions more will be sold and it is sobering to think that these bottles will be in a landfill somewhere for eternity. Yes, I have purchased bottled water and everytime I feel guilty.
I still don't understand how it is easier to stop at a gas station and pay $2 for a bottle of water than it is to fill up a bottle of water from home and take it with you.
This Earth Day for me is another reminder to be mindful of what I am putting in the trash. Can it be reused? Recycled? Repurposed? Upcycled?
Shouldn't everyday be Earth Day?
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We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.
~Native American Proverb
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7 comments:
Oh, Linda! That proverb says. it. all. Really. How true it is. This globe we call home is only ours for a short while before we pass it on to our children. And, oh, my. I fear we're making a real mess of it. If nothing else convinces us to take care of our earth, to reduce our carbon footprint, if we're dubious about climate change {and I am not} ... we should STILL take care of our earth so that we can pass along beauty and good health to our children and our children's children ... and so on down the line. Thank you for this perspective. And FOL family, how about we all recycle, reuse, repurpose and reduce?
Such an important post today Linda. And like Dotti mentioned, above, I always think about what we are leaving for our children, and our children's children. Thank goodness for Earth Day and Earth Month, and now Earth Hour, but hopefully people will begin thinking about our earth every day.
Thank you for this timely post, Linda! Your image is beautiful! Poor Mother Earth is very ill, and we are responsible. I, too, worry about what kind of world my grandchildren will inherit. If everyone just made a few changes in their lifestyles, it would help tremendously.
We not only borrow it from our children, we were put in charge of it, as caretakers . . . not wasters and polluters. As someone very connected to nature it pains me greatly at the ignorance of not only the choices people make, but their lack of knowledge. At the end of the day, when we have polluted the last of the water, and no longer have insects to pollinate our food etc., I really hope people realize that you cannot eat money (I think that's some kind of quote too.) There are no do overs in life and there is no re-do of earth, we get but only once chance to try and get it right. We are not doing very well.
So strongly agree with all of this. We have messed up so many things in our generation - wish we could do this part right!
Couldn't agree with you more....You have stated what we should all be aware of beautifully!!
awesome post linda. and i do believe it's these small choices we make everyday that can make a huge impact. and i think it's so important, as you have so beautifully shown here, the earth does not 'belong' to us. we are but stewards.
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