Share The Land

 

What you see here is the stomach contents that were plastic of ONE juvenile sea turtle.

{Photo credit and article here}

I was a mixture of crushed and disgusted when I read this and saw the photo. How can we do this to something that is put on this earth for nothing other than make our lives better, whether it be for food or companionship? Better yet, how can we do this to the world, which we are so blessed to live on?

This world is not ours. We have it on loan. The quicker we screw it all up with our trash, literal and figurative, the quicker we won't have it anymore.

When I think about the land, and its creatures. . .my Native American roots really start to show. {Echota Cherokee, if you're interested.}Here is a little Native American wisdom, and I hope it makes you think more about how you treat this one Earth we were lent.

Eagle Chief (Letakos-Lesa) Pawnee

In the beginning of all things, wisdom and knowledge were with the animals, for Tirawa, the One Above, did not speak directly to man. He sent certain animals to tell men that he showed himself through the beast, and that from them, and from the stars and the sun and moon should man learn.. all things tell of Tirawa.

Qwatsinas (Hereditary Chief Edward Moody), Nuxalk Nation

"We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can't speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees."

{From an Elder}

Honor the sacred.
Honor the Earth, our Mother.
Honor the Elders.
Honor all with whom we
share the Earth:-
Four-leggeds, two-leggeds,
winged ones,
Swimmers, crawlers,
plant and rock people.
Walk in balance and beauty

{Ute Prayer}

Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light.
Earth teach me suffering ~ as old stones suffer with memory.
Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning.
Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young.
Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone.
Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground.
Earth teach me freedom ~ as the eagle that soars in the sky.
Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die each fall.
Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring.
Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life.

Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain.

 {Chief Seattle}

Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect.

I could post dozens more, but I think you all get it. Do what you can to help the Earth. Recycle, Reuse to reduce waste. Don't leave trash on the ground as it will affect wildlife. These are the simple things. Plant, cultivate, and respect the ground.

Enjoy some music. . .

Cherokee Prayer Blessing

May the Warm Winds of Heaven
Blow softly upon your house.
May the Great Spirit
Bless all who enter there.
May your Moccasins
Make happy tracks
in many snows,
and may the Rainbow
Always touch your shoulder.