Caring for Creation Is Gratitude for Being Alive ~ January 14 2025

Creation Is Working Just Fine this Morning!  When I woke up, the Sun was shining through the window.  Light was sparkling off the snow that was left from our Big Winter Storm.  One squirrel was out looking for food.  One of the resident kitties was nestled up against my right arm.  I was warm and safe in the middle of Winter on the Prairie!  Definitely, an accomplishment for Human Beings!

January 13 was the first Full Moon of 2025.  The lineup with Earth and the Sun is always perfectly timed down to the microsecond.  Amazing how precise it is !!!  This Full Moon is known as the Full Wolf Moon in many Native traditions.  The Full Moon has been very bright, shining in the night sky.

We are so blessed in so many ways and we sometimes forget how blessed we are to have this lifetime!  Here we are, able to live on this planet as Human Beings because Earth has breathable air, water to drink, and enough Sunlight coming through the atmosphere to trigger photosynthesis.  Also, there is enough Soil, with all kinds of tiny creatures, so we can "grow food"!

We have learned how to cook vegetables, hunt and fish, sail in boats, gather honey, make moonshine and craft beer!  We learned how to heal ourselves using herbs and minerals, often with sweat lodges, and prayers.  We have been very busy creating "civilizations" that rise and fall over hundreds of years, often in a spectacular and devastating manner!  We have learned a great deal, except, unfortunately, how to get along with each other.  We could probably do a lot better in that department, for sure!

Most of us have such busy lives that we go from day to day without an awareness of the Beauty that surrounds us.  But, when we do take time and allow ourselves to experience the Beauty and Wonder of Earth, we are experiencing the Creator.  This is  because Creation reflects the Creator.  From our point of view as Humans, it is very difficult for us to even begin "to imagine" the immensity of Creation.  Are there as many Stars and Galaxies as there are grains of sand on all the Beaches of the World ... ???  Trying to imagine how many Stars exist in the Universe is beyond my comprehension.  But, the experience of Creation is available whenever I step into Nature and begin to feel Gratitude for Being Alive.

The last time I was in New Mexico, I was driving south from Gallup at night.  The road was completely dark and all I could see were millions and millions of tiny lights from one horizon to another!  Stars were everywhere !!!  I had to get off the highway, stop the car, and get out.  I stood by the car for some time, not sure how long.  I was in a "state of Awe"!  There were no words for what I was experiencing.  I was aware that I was part of Creation.  I have always been deeply grateful for that experience.  I am sure most of you reading this article have had similar experiences.

When I lived in Texas, I planted 2 peach trees.  I had to dig deep through limestone so there would be enough room to add dirt so the roots could get a good start.  The trees did well, even that first year.  I remember how excited I was seeing the first tiny buds showing up on those slender tree limbs.  After the buds appeared, I would check almost every morning to see if there were any blossoms.  Then, one morning there were 2 or 3 blossoms, amazing colors of blended pinks and white, and then there were blossoms opening up on all the branches.  I realized my little trees knew exactly how to grow and how to produce Peaches!  Seeing all those blossoms was so exciting ... !!!  I was having a love affair with my peach trees!

Whenever we plant a tree, plant native flowers, put in pollinator gardens, or just sit with a Tree, we are participating in Creation!  We are working with the Creator to preserve, protect, and defend Creation!  We are helping and supporting the activity of Creation known as "growth".  When we plant trees, we are showing our gratitude for Life on this gem of a planet.  Instinctively, we realize that taking care of Creation is a good idea since we need Nature much more than Nature needs us!

Last weekend I had been talking to several people about Monarch Butterflies and the importance of starting “pollinator gardens” from seed during January.  If we start those gardens from seed this month, we will have seedlings to plant outside in the spring for all Pollinators!  Two or three days later, I was walking back to my truck from the grocery store with a cart.  I looked up and saw a large Monarch Butterfly to my right, fluttering through the air.  This Beautiful Butterfly landed on the handle of the grocery cart.  It sat right there, slowly moving its wings, and then flew away.  Again, I was in a “state of awe”.  I had not seen another Monarch for at least several months.

We are so blessed in so many ways, surrounded by Beauty and Light and the Energy of Life.  All too often, we miss opportunities to experience Creation.  However, if we give ourselves time to be in Nature, or care for Creation, we are nurturing our Hearts and our Soul.  We are “touching” Creation.  Living on Earth is a very Rare and Wonderful Opportunity for healing and spiritual growth.

Have a Wonderful Week wherever you are and whatever you are doing.  I am looking forward to seeing you outside,  and being with you in Creation.   

Mary Christopher teaches mindfulness, 

breathing practices, and building personal resilience.  

Gardening and Being in Nature are among her favorite activities.