Today is the day officially called Earth Day. With over a billion people participating, Earth Day is widely recognized as the largest secular observance in the world. It got started in 1970 when a democrat senator and republican congressman came together (yep that used to happen in the U.S.) around the idea of mobilizing action about the damages being inflicted upon the “environment”, AKA our living world and life support system.
I believe the tremendously quick and wide spread of Earth Day is a result of a deeply ingrained sense within humanity that we are connected to and dependent upon nature. Back in grad school I learned a term that really resonated with me – Biophilia. This refers to a philia (love of) nature or life. I will say unabashedly I am most certainly a biophiliac. Am I a tree hugger? You bet, and unabashedly so! Do I believe humans are the only species of value? Hell no. So, there you go.
Today, rather than give the readily available list of harms being done to our precious Earth and actions we should/could be taking I just wanted to encourage you all to celebrate this magnificent, one-of-kind place we are so fortunate to get to experience and be part of.
Here is a vid link to the Earth Day history page including an historic video of Walter Mondale reporting on the very first Earth Day.
I would just say that I am in a love affair with Nature and all of Creation so here is a vid of a talk I delivered about the spiritual power of love and directing it toward our amazing planet.
And, finally, here is a gorgeous prayer created by my friend Dennis Wiancko:
Our Mother’s Prayer
Our Mother, Whose name is Earth,
Hallowed be Your ground
And Your skies
And your rolling seas
Your gardens thrive; Your spirit alive
Through woodlands, streams,
Mountains and plains
Everywhere
Grant us this day our needs for tomorrow
And refresh us with Your living waters
Forgive us our mistreatment
As we would forgive those who cause You harm
Lift us from negligence, and deliver us from greed,
For Yours is the home, and the beauty,
And the life that sustains us,
And we would love, respect, and care for You
Now and ever, ever forward.
Because after all, on a day called Earth, isn’t every single day Earth Day?! Happy Earth Day Friends!
Much love,
Cylvia
I was going to say, "Man, I love that prayer!" But I will say "Woman, I love that prayer" And I do! I am saving it so that I can look it up now and then. Thank you Cylvia!
True. It is remarkable in what it says and how it maintains the beautiful cadence of he lord's prayer.