Yesterday, we planted trees on our property in the pines. I can’t wait to see these babies 30 years from now. In a world addicted to instant gratification, it feels weird to think this far ahead, and I think that’s why we are in such big trouble. Even if I’m not on Earth to enjoy these trees in 30+ years, it makes me happy knowing they will still be providing for others. Plant a tree, or two, or three, or even more! Invest in a healthy, human future on Earth where our younger generations can breathe clean air and marvel at the beauty.
Because the Truth Is…
Earth will be fine. Earth will regenerate and rejuvenate. It’s humans and species that suffer and pay the price. It already is human and other species suffering and paying the price. There is this idea that it will be something quick, a flash, a meteorite, a something apocalyptic that will wipe out our species. This is wishful thinking. It will actually continue to be a long drawn-out process of people we love suffering. Animals we love suffering. Places we love suffering. We will continue to notice familiar foods vanishing from our tables. The land turning barren, refusing to yield crops under the strain of our unsustainable practices. This starvation won’t be a sudden event, but a tightening noose woven by oppressive systems that prioritize control over the well-being of the people and the planet. We will watch it affect and touch everything we love until we learn how to love without restrictions. If you aren’t noticing these changes in your life already, then consider yourself lucky at the moment. Because humans do not suffer alone, especially when it comes to the place, the being that cares for us and holds us all. Gone will be the days of looking at “developing” countries or poor areas and feeling temporary pity for their suffering. Making hollow excuses as to what “these people” should have done in order to escape [blank] or prevent [blank]. The suffering will creep up onto everyone’s doorsteps until we are willing to open our hearts, take action, take care.
We have become so dismissive, so disconnected from our fragile symbiotic existence…
We think we are mortal KING, unstoppable, invulnerable, unaccountable. We have decided we have figured it out and we know everything. We are so afraid to be curious, take on new information, and learn and grow and do better. We have given up. We have learned from the worst. We have forgotten that we have value and uniqueness. That we can care, we can love ourselves and our children. We can even stretch that love so much further to others we do not know and places we have not been, animals, plants, ecosystems we do not yet understand. We have been stripped of our deepest relationship to land, elements, food, water, air, and everything that keeps us alive and thriving. We have cashed in our survival for temporary pleasures. We have birthed children only to say “Good luck, it’s your problem now.” No amount of money can get your children clean air to breathe, healthy food to eat, and freshwater to drink. Why do we devalue our children and their future so much? The future of their children’s children. Do our brains really not have the capacity to look this much further and deeper, to love this much further? I don’t believe it, I refuse to believe it. We have just been confused, tricked, focusing on the distractions rather than our collective freedom and hearts. We are so powerful but we have put our power into the hands of greedy and ill-willed individuals and systems. When our hearts and minds are put to action in tandem we can do anything, we can shift anything, we can tear down and we can rebuild. We can be brave and innovative in this messy, and necessary turning point.
The children must be taught. Children must be taught how and why we respect and care for the place that holds and feeds us, the place that keeps us alive. If we do not teach the children, they will continue the cycle of human extinction. Plant a tree, or two, or three, or even more! Spread some native seeds. Invest in a healthy, human future on Earth where our younger generations can breathe clean air and marvel at the beauty.
There is no one coming to save us but ourselves. Do what you can but don’t do nothing. We can’t afford nothing anymore.
CONVERSATIONS WITH ASSHOLES 