Let us be good stewards of the Earth we inherited.
All of us have to share the Earth's fragile ecosystems and precious resources, and each of us has a role to play in preserving them.
If we are to go on living together on this earth,
we must all be responsible for it. ~ Kofi Annan
Why I like this quote is that the author isn't afraid to call on us all to be responsible for the Earth.
His message is clear. He is not asking you to throw your trash in the receptacle, nor to buy and earth-friendly, environmentally approved product.
Do you feel a difference between these terms?
"Earth" vs "the environment"?
We began the "environmental" movement with Earth Day ~ when did loving the wild places and the commitment to preserve them for seven generation get dumbed-down and sanitized to be called, "the environment"?
Kofi Annan speaks with a "wilderness mind" calling for values for of a consciousness for Earth's precious resources.
It feels like the mind of modern man has usurped the original movement begun as Earth Day.
Now we have the faux green movement- "earth-friendly"- that isn't.
Today the word "green" is a marketing strategy, not really a consciousness.
This Earth.
This mother we call Earth.
Earth Mother.
Honor our source in this physical realm. Thank our Creator for the gifts we receive.
Earth consciousness is an awareness of more than the physical.
I believe that is the crux of the issue. If we use the term Earth, we evoke a spiritual consciousness.
The "environment" refers simply to our physical realities.
You feel the difference, don't you?
Jan 19, 2012
Poisons of convenience
“Beware good people they’re fooling you,
trust them not, they are fooling you…
trust them not, they are fooling you…
Beware, oh, take care.”
A favorite Pete Seeger tune of mine we used in the No Nukes campaign for nuclear arms moratorium.
I have let my guard down…I was fooled!
It is easy to understand how I could get fooled again.
Many faux green corporations are getting mighty crafty in these days, maintaining corporate greed of profit over people.
You know to whom I refer…many corporations have bought organic brands and now surreptitiously continue to poison us.
Many faux green corporations are getting mighty crafty in these days, maintaining corporate greed of profit over people.
You know to whom I refer…many corporations have bought organic brands and now surreptitiously continue to poison us.
Wah!
I want to believe, I really do. I want to believe that we as culture, civilization we act on behalf of common good.
But I know, the battle wages for our health and control over safe food.
I want to believe, I really do. I want to believe that we as culture, civilization we act on behalf of common good.
But I know, the battle wages for our health and control over safe food.
Seeds of Change
ORGANIC
Uyuni Quinoa and whole grain brown rice (with garlic)
Just microwave 90 secs in the pouch
ORGANIC
Uyuni Quinoa and whole grain brown rice (with garlic)
Just microwave 90 secs in the pouch
My red flag went up~ after I bought these on impulse at Costco.
It is recyclable plastic, that is a plus, right?!
I asked myself, what is this #7 plastic?
I asked myself, what is this #7 plastic?
Plastic #7: This number basically means “everything else”-composed of plastics which were invented after 1987. Polycarbonate falls into this category, including the dreaded BPA. So do modern plastics used in anything from iPods to computer cases. It also includes some baby bottles and food storage containers which resist staining. Use of #7 plastic is at your own risk, since you don’t know what could be in it. It is difficult to recycle #7 plastic and most curbside recycling programs won’t accept it.
Be aware that the convenience of microwave food could be harming you and your children. Food or drink containers made from #7 plastic should be approached with a good deal of suspicion. The bag doesn't say anything about BPA free!
Jan 9, 2012
Wilderness mind
In his book, The Quest, Tom Brown, Jr. talks about "wilderness mind"- a way of being in this world.
I am one whose vision was blurred from not being balanced as I walked the Razor’s Edge… awareness and wilderness mind helped me regain balance and focus and maintain it today…
you can read the excerpt here:
/We have choices in life, especially choices as to the way we think and how we view the world. It is these choices and these thoughts that make life ecstatic or debilitating./
/Things will get better if we all work hard and if we all love hard and laugh hard./
Love well and laugh hard, my friends.
Jan 8, 2012
Love of words- winnower
Rather than a word "smith" hammering out meaning...
I look at myself as a word "winnower"~ throwing out words to see which fall to earth and sprout, grow and reproduce...
Epiphany~
I have loved this word I learned at an early age, I imagine from my church-going folks.
In the 50's and 60's my family life centered on the activities of the church of England. I loved the potluck church dinners and storytelling.
Epiphany to me has meant we turn the corner on winter towards spring. Solstice has passed and the light returns to the evening skies. Growing up in harsh winters, this meant hope for warmer weather.
After I lived in Mexico the significance was Dia de los Magos (Three Kings) and the countdown for Lent> which eventually in my life turned into King's Cakes and ticking off the days to Mardi Gras!
In layman's terms I use the word to signify an "AHA" moment, a realization; connecting the dots or some sort of insightful conclusion.
Today "epiphany" harkens back to its original meaning for me...Spiritual Awakening ~ vision of God.
Some translations for this Christian feast day are "The Day of the Lights"...also reference to "manifestations"-
I realize that for me, as Gary Snyder wrote, "Nature is not a place to visit, it is home.", my epiphany is choose to strive for a balance in modern society and in the natural world.
My aha moment is that I don't have to put away my childish things, such as my veneration for wild places and admiration for God's cathedral, the wilderness.
My aha moment is that in my lifetime I bear witness to unprecedented destruction of wilderness and natural areas in the name of progress to meet the demands of a burgeoning human population that cries for comfort and convenience.
Now I think of the word "creature comforts" ~ yet humankind's demands for plastics, cheap oil have really muddled up life on earth...
If we were more "creature" and less man, would we live like God's creatures and know better than to soil our own nests?
More than ever I turn to my faith in God to protect all creatures here below.
More than ever, I seek to find the spiritual solution to turn the tide in favor of the wild places...
...to wake up humankind to act to preserve our natural habitat!
Forget the whales! Save Earth Mother. Save our souls.
Yes, it is my faith in God, my belief system that I am grateful for today.
For in these times, it is our souls and hearts that will create a consciousness of hope for survival in desperate times.
Indeed, an SOS message for our generation that shares such an abundance...do you love enough to act to preserve the earth for seven generations hence?
I look at myself as a word "winnower"~ throwing out words to see which fall to earth and sprout, grow and reproduce...
Epiphany~
I have loved this word I learned at an early age, I imagine from my church-going folks.
In the 50's and 60's my family life centered on the activities of the church of England. I loved the potluck church dinners and storytelling.
Epiphany to me has meant we turn the corner on winter towards spring. Solstice has passed and the light returns to the evening skies. Growing up in harsh winters, this meant hope for warmer weather.
After I lived in Mexico the significance was Dia de los Magos (Three Kings) and the countdown for Lent> which eventually in my life turned into King's Cakes and ticking off the days to Mardi Gras!
In layman's terms I use the word to signify an "AHA" moment, a realization; connecting the dots or some sort of insightful conclusion.
Today "epiphany" harkens back to its original meaning for me...Spiritual Awakening ~ vision of God.
Some translations for this Christian feast day are "The Day of the Lights"...also reference to "manifestations"-
I realize that for me, as Gary Snyder wrote, "Nature is not a place to visit, it is home.", my epiphany is choose to strive for a balance in modern society and in the natural world.
My aha moment is that I don't have to put away my childish things, such as my veneration for wild places and admiration for God's cathedral, the wilderness.
My aha moment is that in my lifetime I bear witness to unprecedented destruction of wilderness and natural areas in the name of progress to meet the demands of a burgeoning human population that cries for comfort and convenience.
Now I think of the word "creature comforts" ~ yet humankind's demands for plastics, cheap oil have really muddled up life on earth...
If we were more "creature" and less man, would we live like God's creatures and know better than to soil our own nests?
More than ever I turn to my faith in God to protect all creatures here below.
More than ever, I seek to find the spiritual solution to turn the tide in favor of the wild places...
...to wake up humankind to act to preserve our natural habitat!
Forget the whales! Save Earth Mother. Save our souls.
Yes, it is my faith in God, my belief system that I am grateful for today.
For in these times, it is our souls and hearts that will create a consciousness of hope for survival in desperate times.
Indeed, an SOS message for our generation that shares such an abundance...do you love enough to act to preserve the earth for seven generations hence?
Jan 6, 2012
Just a thought...
The Imaginal Cell Story
The caterpillar's new cells are called 'imaginal cells.'
They are so totally different from the caterpillar cells
that his immune system thinks they are enemies... and gobbles them up.
But these new imaginal cells continue to appear. More and more of them!
Pretty soon, the caterpillar's immune system
cannot destroy them fast enough.
More and more of the imaginal cells survive.
And then an amazing thing happens!
The little tiny lonely imaginal cells start to clump together
into friendly little groups.
They all resonate together at the same frequency,
passing information from one to another.
Then, after awhile, another amazing thing happens!
The clumps of imaginal cells start to cluster together!
A long string of clumping and clustering imaginal cells,
all resonating at the same frequency,
all passing information from one to another there inside the chrysalis.
Then at some point,
the entire long string of imaginal cells
suddenly realizes all together
that it is something different from the caterpillar.
Something new! Something wonderful!
...and in that realization
is the shout of the birth of the butterfly!
Since the butterfly now "knows" that it is a butterfly,
the little tiny imaginal cells
no longer have to do all those things individual cells must do.
Now they are part of a multi-celled organism—
A FAMILY who can share the work.
Each new butterfly cell can take on a different job—
There is something for everyone to do.
And everyone is important.
And each cell begins to do just that very thing it is most drawn to do.
And every other cell encourages it to do just that.
A great way to organize a butterfly!"
*Adapted Version of Nori Huddle's story from her book, Butterfly
The caterpillar's new cells are called 'imaginal cells.'
They are so totally different from the caterpillar cells
that his immune system thinks they are enemies... and gobbles them up.
But these new imaginal cells continue to appear. More and more of them!
Pretty soon, the caterpillar's immune system
cannot destroy them fast enough.
More and more of the imaginal cells survive.
And then an amazing thing happens!
The little tiny lonely imaginal cells start to clump together
into friendly little groups.
They all resonate together at the same frequency,
passing information from one to another.
Then, after awhile, another amazing thing happens!
The clumps of imaginal cells start to cluster together!
A long string of clumping and clustering imaginal cells,
all resonating at the same frequency,
all passing information from one to another there inside the chrysalis.
Then at some point,
the entire long string of imaginal cells
suddenly realizes all together
that it is something different from the caterpillar.
Something new! Something wonderful!
...and in that realization
is the shout of the birth of the butterfly!
Since the butterfly now "knows" that it is a butterfly,
the little tiny imaginal cells
no longer have to do all those things individual cells must do.
Now they are part of a multi-celled organism—
A FAMILY who can share the work.
Each new butterfly cell can take on a different job—
There is something for everyone to do.
And everyone is important.
And each cell begins to do just that very thing it is most drawn to do.
And every other cell encourages it to do just that.
A great way to organize a butterfly!"
*Adapted Version of Nori Huddle's story from her book, Butterfly
Jan 5, 2012
Acts of Man~ Earth changes around us.
May the earth's heart shine to light your way as we transcend and dance within the shadows with all of creation on the journey.
May you be guided by earth’s heart with an expanding brilliance as all of creation dances together in delicate balance co-creating a future of harmony.
I have been waiting my whole life for this.
The completion of 13 Baktuns.
The end of the Mayan Long Count.
The beginning of transitions based on Earth Movements.
From the Mixteca Codices.
Ollin.
2012~
Soon after midnight, the skies exploded with sounds of thunder and flashes on the horizon and airborne lights shimmered after streaking through the obsidian heavens-
Burned bottle rocket shards rained down to earth, some still smoldering.
Just as the logs on the fire were burning down to embers~ the wall of cold air enveloped the yard…
From Spring to Winter in 30 minutes.
From the North- wisdom, white/snow, cold, knowledge…lessons to learn, work to do.
Howling wind, uplifting, high flying winds with an intensity not likely to be forgotten soon.You feel it, too, don't you? Apprehension about the future?
No, I don't mean the nonsense of the world coming to and end like Hollywood predicts...
Though there are changes occurring. Earth changes are upon us. Take heed.
You notice the odd weather, the dreadful news - close to home and far away.
The reality is in front of us daily~ take a look beyond the facade of the news.
I bear witness to the drought in Texas.
Thousands of trees dead, the agricultural economy in a tailspin.
Thousand of people arrive daily in droves to Texas from around the world because the state, as a whole, has a booming economy. Relatively speaking.
We exceed the carrying capacity of the land. We practice unsustainable, un-fair and un-natural agricultural practices....
Of course the polar ice caps are melting...
Our service men and women coming home from war with PTSD...
I am not a doomsday fanatic, nor am I denying the obvious present reality. Look around.
Here's one, not surprising at all to me:
One of the nation's most widely planted crops — a genetically engineered corn plant that makes its own insecticide — may be losing its effectiveness because a major pest appears to be developing resistance more quickly than scientists expected.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45807933/ns/business-retail/t/bugs-may-be-resistant-genetically-modified-corn/
Then there are the Native American prophecies...
The earth needs to heal. The earth needs to purify.
Native American philosophy is that we need to protect the future for Seven Generations.
Will you act now? What will you do to secure the future for your grandchildren's children?
I have some ideas...
there are lots of concepts out there for "going green"- but it has to be more!
What if there was a failure in the power grid?
Like the 12 days of Christmas...Here are the twelve days of 2012...
We'll start with simple, easy things...
- Click to promote rainforest habitat.
- Recycle batteries if nothing else
- Replace incandescent bulbs
- Buy Local- shop at Farmer's Markets
- Buy Made in America or second-hand stores
- Reduce all around spending, especially those plastic purchases
- Plant a garden
- Learn an earth skill: start a fire with a bow drill
- Learn an earth skill: build a solar still to collect water from the ground
- Take a child for a walk outside and let them touch the earth
- Plant a tree with a group of children
- Sit in a quiet spot in nature and watch the sun set, imagining that sun setting on your grand children's children world.
Dec 2, 2011
Murmurrings of my heart
My status update: I am pondering the new year and the collective human consciousness that is evolving in these times. I am looking for new language to convey what I observe and feel.
One of the emerging themes is certainly one of "heart", another "circles"~ primordial concepts that we need to revive in these times.
My message is, that in these times, more than ever, we must face our fears with open hearts.
Rather than fear, practice awareness~ observe and feel the unseen and eternal message of your heart.
Rather than isolation and xenophobia, we need to create community among all of our relationships.
Let's not skip our diverse biological communities.
The news is indisputable.
The polar ice caps are shrinking with an alarming rate.
The debate and blame game can rage as to "why?", but I prefer to ACT and not simply ReACT.
We have soiled our "nest" like no other species~ our social systems have become poisoned by misguided leadership throughout the centuries.
Yet, I see that there is an emerging consciousness, much like the murmurs of flocks of birds, shifting direction and regrouping to tack into the wind or glide on the wind.
One of the emerging themes is certainly one of "heart", another "circles"~ primordial concepts that we need to revive in these times.
My message is, that in these times, more than ever, we must face our fears with open hearts.
Rather than fear, practice awareness~ observe and feel the unseen and eternal message of your heart.
Rather than isolation and xenophobia, we need to create community among all of our relationships.
Let's not skip our diverse biological communities.
The news is indisputable.
The polar ice caps are shrinking with an alarming rate.
The debate and blame game can rage as to "why?", but I prefer to ACT and not simply ReACT.
We have soiled our "nest" like no other species~ our social systems have become poisoned by misguided leadership throughout the centuries.
Yet, I see that there is an emerging consciousness, much like the murmurs of flocks of birds, shifting direction and regrouping to tack into the wind or glide on the wind.
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