fbpx

Thanksgiving from Down Under

27 Nov Thanksgiving from Down Under

I write this blog from the Hinterlands of Byron Bay, Australia, where I am blessedly basking in a remote AirBnB for a few days between workshops.

I take a deep breath in and I’m filled with gratitude, appreciating the privilege that allows me to be here in this idyllic space, and for the chance to serve the interests of students that make it all possible.

But just over the ridge, where the Australian bush fires burn out of control, the sky is filling with smoke. Like my homeland of California, (until recently), they have not had rain here for 6 months and everything is tinderbox dry.

I can’t believe this peaceful paradise could possibly be threatened, but I realize my denial is no different from the world’s denial that our incredibly complex ecosystem could possibly be facing destruction. “It can’t happen here,” is just another form of NIMBY (not in my backyard).

I look at the book beside me, the one I brought to read on the trip, The Uninhabitable Earth: A Story of the Future by David Wallace-Wells. His pages paint the scenario of complete environmental dystopia, one where every aspect of our biological and social ecosystems are in chaos and collapse. World wars look insignificant to our future reality if we don’t radically and rapidly change our behavior.

According to Wallace-Wells, the place from which I am writing will indeed be gone, whether it is from this fire or the next. So will most everything else we treasure­ like beautiful landscapes, or take for granted like endless water supply.

There is nothing like a threat to make us feel grateful for what we have. When it is long gone, we will look back and see how much we failed to appreciate while we still had it.

As I listen to the sounds and sights around me: the call of birds, the buzzing of insects, the varieties of green trees swaying the wind, I see how nature is a web of exchanges.

Animals and plants exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. Fungi break leaves and trees down into humus for the soil. Everything is food for everything else, all of it constantly self-organizing, rising up in endless expressions, as it has for billions of years.

Like any exchange, when it is out of balance, it fails.

But back to Thanksgiving. What we appreciate appreciates. That is the point. What we appreciate we get more of, what we fail to appreciate we lose. It is only our appreciation of nature that will preserve it.

Now is the time to shift our appreciation, from the newest technological gadget or cyber advantage to the oldest reality, the incredible symphony of creation that is our sacred ground and collective home, the senior partner in the game of life.

It is time to go out into nature, wherever you can, and spend time with the exquisite fields and folds and flowers while you still can.

Perhaps our communion will make some small bit of difference. Perhaps our appreciation will transfer some small bit of energy from a dying system to a living one. Perhaps it will make us more inspired to rise up and fight for this precious world we’re continually assaulting.

And if not, we will at least have spent time with our beloved while we still could. For every moment of that, I am grateful.

Anodea Judith
11-27-19

3 Comments
  • Michelle R. Black
    Posted at 18:45h, 27 November Reply

    Anodea,
    Bless you for your words. My heart breaks as well for this current truth and reality. Grateful for you, all you do, all you are, embody and give. My heart is in this vein, asking each day what I can do. Nature was and is my first love. Because of your travels through Des Moines, Iowa, back in 1993, I found my way to Reiki, and continue to learn, offer healing sessions, and yet. Thank you again, and bless you during this holiday season you are taking for yourself…and always. I am currently reading your book, “Creating on Purpose”, It is helping me see how to take my next step in getting clear, and how to befriend obstacles. I did not have the understanding that they are each friendly fire which are necessary on our journey of growth. I am in recovery from substance abuse for over 16 years, I was introduced to Reiki , which became the source of my getting into recovery, finally!! I work to keep growing and focus more on how I can give my gifts, and further the message of love and healing.
    Bless you and all living beings this holiday, and always!!
    Michelle

  • schamet Horsfield
    Posted at 18:51h, 27 November Reply

    Beautifully written Anodea. Heartfelt and genuine. Thank you. I miss you already!!! I am in complete gratitude for this moment and pray for human consciousness to awaken and stop our death sentence of destruction. So our grandchildren can enjoy the magic of the mother Gaia.

  • Teri Bigio Berling
    Posted at 19:01h, 27 November Reply

    Thank you anodea, for the expression of gratitude, for our sacred planet that is in chaos, calamity, and catastrophe.
    And in the midst of it, incredible beauty. I hope and even trust, that we can do the right things soon enough.
    Blessings and prayers for our Earth and for our future.

Post A Comment