Every Day on a Planet Called Earth is Earth Day

Yes, I am an unabashed biophiliac

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