And Miles to go Before I Sleep

 

This is a famous poem by Robert Frost, set in the mood of winter, with snow on the ground and frost in the air.

During this time of year, it is common for people to experience the effects of different viruses. Temperature swings can occur, as our life body, our immune system, rallies and sets out to restore balance.

We can consider that the Earth, too, has a life body. Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have recently experienced extreme temperature swings. This is nothing new, and has happened before in my lifetime. Nevertheless, it is a warning that balance needs to be restored.

Mood swings, too, can happen when our hormones are out of balance. We can consider volcanic activity, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc. as mood swings in the Earths life body. Again, balance needs to be restored.

As human beings, we experience the Earth as our home. So far, it is the only planet we know of, where conditions are just right for our existence. Unfortunately, these conditions are changing, in part due to our own activities. In particular, the removal of non-renewable resources, the use of chemicals and machines that harm the life body (including the delicate balance of minerals, plants, animals, water, soil, air) of the Earth. We have disregarded the mood swings and temperature swings so long as they do not affect our daily life.

This is no longer the case. As a collective, we must find ways to help restore balance. Even more, we must find ways to renew the Earths life body in such a way that she can continue to sustain OUR lives. You may notice that I used the word, collective. This is because there is no one perfect solution that can be applied. Each country, each community, must find what works in their own area. We all can contribute in our own way, rather than trying to impose a single solution. We have seen that agreement on one single solution is not possible amongst nations, nor is it viable. Nevertheless, if we each do our part to make a contribution, this will strengthen the restoration and renewal. The 3 wise men did not all bring the same gift to the Child. Each gift, gold, frankincense and myrrh, has its own healing properties. Neither does the gift have to be expensive or rare. Sometimes the best gifts are the simplest to make, and the easiest to do. Rather than pointing fingers at each other, we must ask, What can I do? What is my gift that I can bring?

The life body of the Earth and our lives are intertwined, like a picture of DNA. Only in this time period was this picture able to emerge. In focusing on smaller and smaller minutiae, we have forgotten about the big picture. The Earth is encouraging us to re-member.

Sparky