The End of Times! (what?)

Did you look outside today and contemplate the end of times for humanity and life as we know it? The people who created Vivos, which doesn't deserve a link on my blog, have and are making lots of money selling space in vast underground shelters built to help you survive for one year in the event of the end of the world. The "news" is also picking up about the Mayan predicted End of Days in 2012 due to the recent disaster in Japan. Why on earth am I talking about this in my blog (besides amusement)?

A brilliant man's writing I follow keeps inspiring me to approach current issues with my own view point. He was writing about Native American views on apocalypse and how humans are creating their own demise by the way in which we treat our planet, the way we selfishly live our lives, and our lack of foresight into sustaining this beautiful earth for our children.

My friend posted this comment about another blog entry of mine:

‎"Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children."

Ancient Indian Proverb

For many years now, I have been of the opinion that the sum of our destructive tendencies are so great that we will not be able to overcome that inertia. Eventually we will follow the fate of Easter Island inhabitants, who abused the environment to such a degree, overpopulating, deforesting and decimating resources, that they destroyed themselves. Though people are now trying to curb environmental pollution and "save the planet", our individual tiny everyday acts as a sum total are still too great a burden. As an activist I believed that getting the message out was a change catalyst. As an individual I believed changing myself and my actions would teach others. As a mother I hope my child and her generation will still see the beauty of the planet and save, even restore, nature. In the end, I see that the planet will outlast humanity and I am peaceful in recognition of this.

I would not want to live to see the end of times as we know them. I would not want to live in an underground bunker, for a year, only to emerge and die. I want to live everyday in the beauty that is here now. As I've said before, I cherish every moment I have watching my little girl explore, discover, and know for the first time the world around her. I want to surround myself with people who try to live in balance with this planet - the healers of this world.

Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up

Sometimes I just have to have one of those nights... Bring the Funk on, have some fun!

Feeling Spring

There are so many ways that I feel the coming of spring. Spring and Fall are always major events for my body, mind and spirit - I always "feel" them coming within my whole being. I cherish those experiences and am always pleasantly surprised when my body starts to sense it. I attribute my being tuned in and sensitive to the changes to quiet sitting and movement practices, and keeping with nature as much as possible. Growing up camping and spending summers outdoors in the mountains helped as well I am sure.

Feeling the seasons is a wonderful practice for the human creature, though saying that seems odd, doesn't it, considering that we all can be tuned in to our planet's energy and normal cycling (as well as our own). I enjoy witnessing how the sunrise changes, how the sunshine enters my home at different times. I enjoy experiencing how as the day moves along the energy of the area shifts, how people and animals have times of rest and activity, and how I feel at each period of the day. The natural places I frequent have a rhythm of their own, with different times of shade and heat, wind, animal movement, and general activity. All of these daily things I experience, I can attribute to enhanced feeling of the seasons shifting. With meditation and other practices, that awareness has only grown stronger.

It is a joy to watch my 16 month old daughter eager to go outside each day. I watch and wonder what animals she will be drawn to, what tree she will want to touch, or leaf she will pick up. My earliest memories were of being outside in parks or feeding the ducks. I can't wait to take her camping this year. And as spring approaches, my thoughts turn to being outside hiking and gardening. I find my spirit rising and my energy growing.

I believe that being closer to our natural world is invaluable and is necessary for health and well being. This spring I encourage everyone to feel more than ever - to feel how the shifting season changes you and your world. Sit for a few minutes and watch the sun set or rise. Watch and listen and feel while you eat lunch outside. Observe.

Let nature wash over you and absorb you into the landscape. Unite and feel as one, if only for a moment.