Caring for Creation Is Caring for Ourselves!

Caring for Creation anytime is Caring for Ourselves and for those who will come after us.  Human lifetimes are not very long in terms of the life span of Earth.  We are totally dependent on this lovely little planet for our health and well-being.

Without Fresh Air and Clean Water we would not last very long as a species.  Plus we need good soil to grow our food.  Most of the time we don’t pay any attention or feel any gratitude for the daily activity in Nature that supports and sustains us.

Fortunately, Creation doesn’t need us to tell it what to do.  Because Creation or Mother Nature is Conscious, Nature “knows” what to do every day, all day. We usually walk through the day, generally unaware of these Blessings.

At the same time, we are here because our Ancestors were aware of their need for Fresh Air, Clean Water, and Food.  I know my pioneer Grandparents were very focused on all those basic needs for themselves and their livestock when they settled in SW Oklahoma in the early 1900s. My grandmother kept a vegetable garden for as long as I knew her!

Today, I found a lovely Eastern White Pine in the park.  It is an older tree and very comfortable to sit with.  One of its limbs was so close to the ground that I could sit on it, lean back on the trunk and relax. I was able to meditate for at least 30 minutes!  Have not been able to meditate actually Sitting In a Tree for a long time!  That was delightful!

We had rain today so all the milkweed and nectar plants we have planted are doing well!  The air was so fresh I took several deep breaths.  That felt so good.  The longer I stayed with this lovely tree, the more relaxed I felt.  My shoulders came down.  My heart rate slowed as well as my breathing.  I could feel myself relaxing.

Also, remember that Human Beings are designed to move.  That’s the reason we have so many joints.  The adult human body has around 360 joints. This number varies depending on how you define a joint.  Some sources suggest a range of 250 to 350. We do need to move in order to be healthy and alert.  When we move, we increase our Oxygen consumption and release more Carbon Dioxide.

As you know, when we exhale Carbon Dioxide, it is absorbed through the leaves and broken down through Photosynthesis into Carbon and Oxygen. Trees use Carbon to make sugars and release Oxygen back into the atmosphere.  The chemical reaction we call Photosynthesis is triggered by Sunlight!  Very exciting !!!

We know that Creation works, especially when humans don’t disrupt the natural cycles and relationships! The Sun comes up on time, every morning without any assistance from humans.  If you plant a radish seed, you get a radish plant, and sooner or later, you get more radishes!  Trees don’t fight with each other.  In most natural woodlands, trees work together.  Through their root system, using Fungi, trees communicate with each other.  They share resources and respond to threats.  In my experience, they also respond to affection and appreciation.  There are so many good reasons to spend time in Creation.

Having more “stuff” does not bring happiness, but when we spend time in Nature or outside in Creation, our Hearts can rest and relax.  We can begin to unwind and find peace with ourselves just by “hanging out” in Creation.  If we are at peace with ourselves and our Hearts can rest, we can be happy.

As we move through this very challenging year together, we are going to face all kinds of situations.  And, some of these situations will call for discernment on our part.  We will need to dig a little deeper within ourselves for courage and compassion.  And, we will need to upgrade our ability to listen carefully and discern what is going on beneath all the noise and chaos.  

I am so grateful to be in Creation right now.  So grateful to have these amazing moments of peace and happiness.

Have a wonderful week.  Thank You for all you are doing every day in so many ways to make this World a better place for Everyone!  And, take really good care of yourself.

 

Mary teaches mindfulness and spiritual practices.

She leads Heart Coherence groups and offers individual coaching.

Through her “Caring for Creation” podcast, she shares practices

for connecting with the earth and our spirituality.