Earth Week Sunday

This week before Earth Day is called Earth Week, April 19 - 25 this year. 

The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970, and it still remains a big event in the environmental movement. Interest and participation in Earth Day has increased and spread around the world, with millions of people taking part. 

I do many things everyday in my life to help the earth: I live in a small house; I walk and bike, and work at home; I buy used stuff and buy locally; I use the library instead of buying books; I compost, recycle, and grow my own food, I lead an Earthcare action group at my Quaker Meeting, and I work with other activists to bring attention to climate and environmental issues.

This week I plan to do some reading each day, and take one action that grounds me in unity with the Earth.

Agenda today:

1. Reading

2. Meeting outside

3. Take action

1. Reading: 

I decided to peruse the Quaker Earthcare Witness website a bit each day this week. Today I'm reading from Talking about Climate Change: A Practical Guide, by QEW’s Publications Committee.

Climate change denial may arise, not from ignorance or self-interest, but from the sense that nothing we do, as seemingly insignificant individuals, can make a real difference. This form of denial arises from feeling overwhelmed by the immensity of the problems. This existential quandary is not intellectual, not from a lack of information, but rather comes from data overload. The help needed here is not a list of things to do, not more ideas, not more information, but human compassion, understanding and connection.

The simplest and most profound gift in this situation is the gift of attention. Those in the mental health professions and other related fields have substantiated the benefits of active, careful, authentic listening. As Friends we are well acquainted with honest caring queries. We are comfortable with silence and attention to spirit. We can employ these spiritual skills here.

When silent spiritual space is offered to stressed individuals, often they will open their hearts and share what troubles them. After people feel certain they are not being judged, or forced to feel more guilty than they already do, they have the opportunity to explore the fears that are immobilizing them. Released of their inhibitors to action, people can more easily take their own small steps towards action. Simple actions may be self-assuring, especially as people find themselves on the same path to well-being as are others who are also struggling with needed changes. Always, it is not the action but the compassion that is our intention.

2. Meeting outside:

I had planned to got to our monthly outdoor worship but my back ache is saying "stay home", so I will worship on zoom in my garden. I will contemplate the queries:

How will we renew our hope for all living beings? 

Are we able to take right action for care of the earth, and release the outcome to the Universal Spirit of Love?

 

3. Take action:

I hope to go to the Sustainability Faire today, and take some time to look and listen for new ideas.