Friday, March 25, 2011

I LOVE IT HERE

As I drive home on winding desert road, approaching the stark, panoramic view of my mountains, no thoughts intrude. It is as if I enter another dimension where I only experience awe at their grandeur. But maybe it's just me. We all know about beauty in the beholder's eye.

When I first moved to New Mexico I remember meeting a woman who was moving East the next day. "I can't wait to leave this ugly, brown, desert that I hate. I yearn to see green again," she almost growled. And she's not alone. Many people can't see beauty in this apparently barren, dry land devoid of lush foliage. And because they don't like it here, they overlook the array of beautiful, colorful flowers that do grow. But I suppose we all have a favorite place to which we connect, in which we thrive and blossom.

As I walked outside this morning, thinking of this for some reason, I realized how wonderful to have such a variety of climates, seasons, landscapes, animals, vegetation and beauty in one world. I guess I broadened my scope to consider that it's not just this little part of the earth that I love, I love it all. How wonderful to live in this place.

Then unfortunately, as thoughts often do, they turned negative. I thought of how the planet is endangered, how our grandchildren may not even see some of the splendors we can now enjoy. Their lives may be quite different from ours with struggles not focused on emotional and financial security, but on real, rudimentary survival.


I stopped that flow of thinking and instead surrendered to the fact that I know so little. I have no idea what the future may bring. Obeying common sense and spiritual wisdom, I decided it's more sensible to focus on the present. But I know little about that too.

I can't say with absolute certainty that the small things I do for conservation and the ecology really make a difference. I'm just one person. I think though that many of us together can probably make enough changes to at least make an indelible mark on this planet. For me, it's about hope that together we can still do a lot to heal the damage.


On Saturday, March 26 a ritual, a peaceful demonstration of hope, which has taken place since 2007, will once again occur. I like to think it has the power of a strong, huge burst of energy that goes out into the ether making a profound statement of action and intention. From 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm much of the world will go dark. Millions of lights will be turned off during Earth Hour. Participants will attest to the love of our planet. Hopefully, all will also make a silent pledge to work for our planet, to go beyond that hour and, regardless of which of its wonders they prefer, take action for our home - the earth.



Earth Hour 2011



"The age of nations has passed. Now, unless we wish to perish, we must shake off our old prejudices and build the Earth. The more scientifically I regard the world, the less can I see any possible biological future for it except in the active consciousness of its unity."
Teilhard de Chardin


"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without words
And never stops - at all. "
Emily Dickinson

"You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one. "
John Lennon


(Thanks to Sandy Carlson, my blogging friend, for reminding me of this date.)

11 comments:

  1. just lovely!



    Aloha to you
    from Waikiki!


    Comfort Spiral

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  2. so true myrna - think we should "train" our eyes to see the beauty around us...love the Emily Dickinson quote and well....might sing "imagine" now all evening long...

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  3. Earth Hour is gaining traction with its annual remembrance. A beautiful reflection.

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  4. We find our place, but we can find it without casting ugly words on other places.

    I love Earth Hour. It's important. I think we need it the way we need all the other festivals that remind us of what is important. We are inclined to forget, and the reminding is good.

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  5. Dear friend, - what a beuatiful, beuatiful post! I loved reading it so much. Beautifully expressed sentiments in a language that speaks volumes to me.
    I have the same views when it comes to nature and the enchantment that is hidden in the most unusual places and which some fail to see, as they are insensitive. I too also feel so in tune with nature and at times anxious when I ponder the future. Not just the future but the immense destruction that we at all times pose to the world. Thus I love your optimistic turn - as we truly do not know, perhaps the future will be bright.:)
    I too observe the Earth Hour and have ever since it went global. One of my favorite days in a year.
    Have a lovely weekend,
    xoxo

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  6. hey there...our little things do matter...they add up the more it spreads...tomorrow will be as bright as we make it...

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  7. I'm late for earth hour but so glad I stopped by. This was so beautiful. Thank you for reminding me to take in and appreciate my surroundings

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  8. There are indeed many different kinds of beauty in this world, and the browns can definitely inspire as much awe as the greens.

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  9. Happy Monday, share your poem with Jingle Poetry potluck today.

    bless you.

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  10. They don't call New Mexico the "Land of Enchantment' for nothing. I love it there. Just beautiful. And the skies are the most gorgeous of anyplace I think.

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