“Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.” Chief Seattle

Earth Day, 4/22/2021 and every day, is a good time to reflect upon the indigenous people of this country and the sacred relationship they have cultivated with Mother Earth.  As visionaries their spirituality was, and continues to be, deeply connected with nature as they understand the interconnectedness of all life.  

“There I was standing on the highest mountain of them all, and round about beneath me was the whole hoop of the world. And while I stood there, I saw more than I can tell and I understood more than I saw; for I was seeing in a sacred manner the shapes of all things in the spirit, and the shape of all shapes as they must live together like one being. And I say the sacred hoop of my people was one of the many hoops that made one circle, wide as daylight and as starlight, and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all the children of one mother and one father. And I saw that it was holy… But anywhere is the center of the world. “ ~Black Elk    

How far we have strayed from this truth and how close we have come to creating irreversible damage to this beautiful blue orb.  Yet, we have no time to fall into despair, instead we need to act. Pope Francis offers this wise counsel, “Let us seek out others and embrace the world as it is without fear of pain or a sense of inadequacy, because there we will discover all the good that God has planted in human hearts. Difficulties that seem overwhelming are opportunities for growth”.

It is so heartening to see how many people coming together to develop and implement creative solutions. Let’s join in our own way and commit to one thing we can change today that will help. Even the smallest gesture matters. I imagine there are things you are already doing. What else can you/we do? I’ve discovered that there are many products on the market that can help us eliminate plastic use. Detergent strips rather than big plastic containers, refillable glass soap dispensers, bar shampoo. Composting, recycling, re-usable bottles, dietary changes, shopping local at the farmers market, there are endless ways to help.

No need to go it alone, there are so many passionate people young and old who support and motivate change.  Every living creature, every child deserves clean air to breathe and clean drinking water. All creatures of the sea should be able to swim in water that is not toxic, to swim free and flourish. 

“The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word ’struggle’ from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. “–Hopi Elders' Prophecy, June 8, 2000

 As we celebrate our love for Mother Earth, I leave you to enjoy Sara Thomsen’s beautiful message.