Fire and Mother Earth

"Out of every crisis comes the chance to be reborn..." ~Nena O'Neill

                                                                        

Since May 2nd, our eyes have been glued to the TV to learn as much as possible about the disastrous fire that leveled a portion of the city of Fort McMurray in Alberta. Thousands of hectares of land covered with trees as well as peoples' property destroyed. This is truly a crisis!

Everyone you speak to these days has a relative or a friend effected by the fire. People from coast to coast to coast feel deeply about the plight of the evacuees. Compassion is evident in the continuous generous response both financially and otherwise. Daily stories about people sharing what they have and opening their homes and hearts to all is gratifying. Everyone wants to help  provide hope to those who have lost so much.

Heroes and heroines are seen daily in the courage and generosity of first responders to the disaster. Everywhere you turn you hear stories that are challenging to both firefighters and evacuees. However, it is clear that we have people of endurance and hope in this situation.

I would like to finish the  quote by Nena O'Neill: "Out of every crisis come the chance to be reborn, to reconceive ourselves as individuals, to choose the kind of change that will help us to grow and to fulfill ourselves more completely."

Here we have a situation in which over 90,000 people have had to move out of their homes because of fire. They have no choice but to change their lives. Were we in their situation, how would we handle the change? Still each individual will handle this crisis in his or her specific manner depending on his or her outlook and attitude of life. Many are overcome with the loss of everything but life itself. Overwhelmingly, though, they are not only supported by the Albertans but by all Canadians. We are one community helping those who need it.

One story this week tells how the Syrian refugees who just landed here are raising money to help the evacuees. One family member said, "We know exactly what you are going through. We lost our homes, our memories and families. It is difficult but we are grateful to have the opportunity to build a new life in a new country and to help those who need our help."

As you can see, even in the midst of crisis, good things happen.

However, we also need to look at the reality of what Mother Earth/Mother Nature is telling us. There is an imbalance in nature because of the effects of climate change. The challenge for us is to listen to her and see what we as human beings can do to bring back that balance.  What is amazing is that Mother Nature will do it whether we heed her message or not!

With regard to the land itself, an environmentalist interviewed on TV recently, pointed out  that though there is a great loss of trees, birds and animals, Mother Nature rejuvenates life. Hence, life will be bigger and better.

Apparently after the fire dies down, millions of beetles flood the area of the forest to begin the work of rebuilding. I remember my mother telling me that after a forest fire or even a brush fire, that the next year in the same place the ground would be covered abundantly with blueberry bushes. So life continues.

It is easy for me as an observer to express ideas and even platitudes. One such platitude is "There is light behind the clouds."

However, the purpose of sharing this with you is to bring hope and comfort, and be compassionate. May we continue to be supportive of one another and in every way possible help Mother Earth rejuvenate Fort McMurray and its wonderful people. Here is a wonderful opportunity to be reborn!

Earth Day, April 22, 2016

Earth Day has been celebrated every year on April 22nd since 1970 . The idea of having a day designated day to honor Earth and the idea of peace was first proposed to occur on April 21st by peace activist, John McConnell at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco in 1969. However, American Senator Gaylord Nelson, founded a separate Earth Day, April 22, 1970 as an "environmental teach-in." This is the one we now celebrate. Until 1990, Earth Day was celebrated only in the United States. Denis Hayes, the original coordinator in 1970, took it international to 141 countries.

This April 22nd is an historic moment, as the Paris Agreement will be signed by the United States, China and some 120 others countries; Canada included. If you remember, 195 nations unanimously agreed to a climate protection treaty at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.

Just to remind you that one of the goals of the UN on climate change is highlighted on the video I used for my last blog in March. The words of the song, "We Love the SDG's" can be found here.  SDG stands for Sustainable Development Goals that the UN has listed as those that the world will work on from 2015 to 2030.

For this blog, I am using the YouTube video called Tree Top Tales in which Deb Doncaster, President of Earth Day Canada tells us about the goals for this year.

 

Everyone involved with Earth Day wants to get the message out to everyone to plant a tree on that day. In so doing, we will be replacing the 18 million acres of trees lost each year.

Earth Day Network in particular has pledged to get 7.8 billion trees planted by 2020, the 50th birthday of Earth Day. That means one tree for every person on earth. Isn't that amazing?

In my research on this topic, I became aware that we need to look at the language we are using when we talk about nature, water in particular. Brook Dolman, founder of the Occidental Arts and Ecology Centre points out that our language can be negative, indicating a disrespect and abuse of the natural benefits of our planet. Think of the words we use: water is a resource, an asset or a commodity to be used and abused at will. He asks the questions:" Is the planet a community or a commodity? Is water a community or a commodity?"

Wow! That made me stop and think. How about you?

Let's bring this home to you and me. What are we planning to do on that day? How are we planning to dialogue and respectfully use the wonderful gifts of our planet?

Food for thought and dialogue, don't you think?

Happy Earth Day to you!

The Hope of Spring

"Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light."
                                   ~ Theodore Roethke

Depending on where we are on the planet, spring comes at different times. As March approaches, we hope that soon, pushing through the frozen ground, life emerges. Unless we enjoy winter sports, we become anxious to see the green grass, colorful flowers, warmer breezes and plenty of sunshine.

However, Nature has her own way of unfolding.  Subject to wind, waves, the pull of the moon,  as well as what humanity imposes on the land,  she patiently moves to music that only she can hear.

Picture the buried seeds. In darkness, they slowly begin the process of rebirth. It's a mystery how they know when to break open and raise their little heads above the earth, seeking the sun and rain to flower with such delicate beauty. Yet it happens every spring.  And, as Roethke noted, there is still light in the roots of the flowers.  They seek the light and stretch toward the light. Are we able to identify similar happenings in our lives?

In my last blog, I suggested spending time in nature to refresh and  energize our spirits to tackle situations that may set us back on our heels. Remember just as the seeds need the darkness, so we, too, need that time to reflect on our lives.

However, in that reflection, we need to identify how we can take care of Mother Earth and all things human and non human.  Let's look at the broader picture as well.

 On New Year's Day, the United Nations released a video entitled "We Love the SDG's"  on YouTube. SDG stands for Sustainable Development Goals.  These seventeen goals of the United Nations were developed by world nations in September 2015 for the next fifteen years.  Prior to that the UN had Manageable Development Goals, 2000- 2015.  The SDG's built on these goals and added more.

In  the video,  it becomes clear how people all over the earth are conscious of the need to care for each other and for the planet we inhabit. I was deeply touched by the hope and energy displayed in the faces of those responding in dance and song. To me, we are invited to response in some way in our own little corner of the world.

As Spring approaches, let us reflect on our own lives. Let us become conscious not only of Nature as she moves from what seems to be the dead of Winter but silently resting and preparing quietly in the darkness to awaken to the hope of spring.

As the sun shines more warmly in the coming days,  let us become energized with the light and the joy of blossoming life all around us. I invite you to take some time, again in nature, to awaken to the call of Spring in your life and pass it on to all you meet, human and non- human. I invite you to receive my free gift to you - the Relaxation Technique "The Peaceful Valley."

Until next time, happy Spring and get a spring in your step! Sing or hum a song, even if you can't sing, to spread the hope of Spring!

The Theme of Love

Photo credit: R.D.O. via Free Images

" Love is the most universal, the most tremendous

and the most mystical of cosmic forces."

                                              ~Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

In my first blog for this year, I had focused on two major influences for good that inspired me: the astronauts' message to Cop 21 and the response of Cop 21 in Paris, France. These world leaders compiled the first Universal Climate Agreement document.  With the unanimous support of all scientists, all agreed on, in principle. This was completed on December 12, 2015.  However, this document  has to be ratified by 55 countries. When this is done , it will be signed in April in New York.

To continue this theme seems very fitting dovetailing with the theme of love. After all, we love what is important to us and we take care of it.

It seems appropriate then to include the quote by Chardin given above.   We have no difficulty agreeing that love is powerful,  is known by everyone on this earth in one form or another .  It has been commented on  in every genre known to humankind.

However, as you know, while universal, the opposite is often true. Simply turning on your TV will tune you in to the hate and conflict in the world.  Oftentimes, it leaves us feeling helpful and hopeless. Again, we are back to the question of what we can do.

There are many things we can do. However, first of all, the important thing is to stop and be!  That may seem either difficult or easy depending on your point of view and your experience.

In a sense, what we can do is to stop the whirlwind we are in? Do you feel that you and your world is spinning out of control?

  Here are some ways to change that:

1. Refresh yourself by spending time in nature. It may be as simple as going for a walk, especially if you are near woods or a  beach, maybe with a pet.

2. Observe an animal - a pet dog or cat and notice how he or she is able to live in the moment. Notice if it ever gets in a bad mood, especially in the morning!

3. Sing a favorite song or listen to it. It can lift your spirit to help you realize how gifted you are, as a person and as one loved by family and friends.

4. Accept the fact that you'll never get it all done, and begin to live more fully in the only moment you have- now!

Dr. Wayne Dyer expresses it so well! Now, if only each of us  could follow his advice!

As my mother used to say, "Goodness comes home to roost." So, too, when you love, be it human or non-human,  it returns to you in unexpected ways.  So let nature of some sort refresh you so that you can return to your busy life energized  and renewed. Remember, though, to live each day well!

Since this is February, and we set aside a day just for love, I wish everyone a very Happy Valentine's!

 

A Happy New Year for 2016

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A Happy New Year for 2016

"Whatever you do or dream you can do- begin it."

                                      ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

As we begin another year, it seems everyone is thinking of making a New Year's resolution.  My New Year resolution is to get back writing. Hence the reason for reviving my Quest for Happiness Blog. My last entry was April, 2012, almost four years ago.

What has happened in the world in those four years? I am not going to give you a history review but I would like to comment on a couple of things that have been a good influence on me.

The first is the video, entitled CALL TO EARTH, released by the astronauts of the world directed to COP 21( the world leaders) in France in December, 2015.  What really thrilled me was that they had a common message to care for the earth. They said it in different languages but all were united in asking not only world leaders but every person on this earth to become aware of what is happening to our beloved earth and its inhabitants, human and non- human. When has it ever happened before that scientists have a common message for us? Will we pay heed? Will world leaders listen and respond?

It certainly seems that way! The second event that impressed me was the meeting of the world leaders in France. In just a couple of short weeks they unanimously wrote another "Charter" for us on climate change. The message is clear: we have to wake up and see what we are doing to the atmosphere, what we are doing to each other. Because of our technology today, we know immediately about every event that is taking place worldwide: fierce winter storms, floods, fires and wars.

As I reflect on these two major world events, I think, as we often do, of the question: What can I do? I am only one person!

According to Goethe, (see the quote above),  if we have a dream, then we take action and the process begins! Isn't that very uplifting and heartening? That is the reason that I have resurrected my blog because I feel that I can do something to make my little world a better place.  And it also means that you can make a difference.

Think back on some of the remarkable people who have made an impact for good  in our world today. Mahatma Gandhi is one who comes to mind. Another is the South African leader, Nelson Mandela, who was in prison for years. Mother Theresa of Calcutta and Pope Francis also complete my short list of notables.

What is heartening is that, while they are great role models,  we can quietly do our little bit in our little corner of the world.

Stop and think of what makes each of us tick? We are all on a quest for happiness in one form or other. We need hope and energy to get up each morning and face the day. If we have a loving and supportive family and friends, we are fortunate and blessed. Once we see how abundant our life is, we can look around and see what needs to be done to brighten other people's lives.

As I end this first reflection for 2016, remember that if we spread love, we get love back in return. It's like a boomerang!

Let's see in this month of January what we can do on the wonderful part of earth that we live! Let's make a difference!