Karen and I usually  talk about Mother Earth because we both cherish the natural world. She lives further south in Florida than I and recently told me she is experiencing profound grief from the devastation of overdevelopment and clear cutting which is, and has been, happening throughout our state for some time.  This practice means every tree, every blade of grass, every bush, everything that contains and sustains life is destroyed. I said I found it sad and discouraging too.   

Then she asked me the question that changed everything:  “How do you deal with what is happening and still be peaceful amid such devastation?” Her question triggered me to remember an experience earlier that day. 

There is a beautiful, large Live Oak tree next to a pond in a neighborhood park where Ernie and I like to stop and admire this glorious being.  That morning, we decided it was time to visit our Oak friend.  As we approached her, we discovered she was no longer the massive Live Oak she had once been, one we gloried in, and which supported a variety of life forms including beautiful and endangered Giant Air Plants. The photo accompanying this post is of a Giant Air Plant in all its splendor. There were at least 6 mature Giant Air Plants on that tree which we have gazed on lovingly for several years.  

For whatever reason, those responsible for upkeep around the pond decided they needed to cut off several of the large branches of the tree and to remove all the Giant Air Plants.  What remained of the tree was a dismal sight. This incredible being had been butchered and denuded of the variety of life forms she had supported. I was filled with despair and stood holding her trunk in profound shock.  Ernie stood in silent sorrow.

In time, an inner Voice guided me to look, to look anew, to look for new, to look with new eyes, to look with the eyes of a child.  I did as suggested and simply stood and stared waiting to see what might present itself without any preconceived idea of what might be there, what should be there, I simply looked to see what was there. 

Finally, I saw a wee bit of ball moss, then another and another.  The sight of the ball moss triggered the awareness and hope that, in time, other Tillandsia species might begin to appear as well, maybe even Tillandsia utriculata.  This wee bit of green growth reminded me Mother Nature is resilient.  I realized there could be tiny seedlings high on the tree which were too small to be seen from the ground. They would likely be offspring of the removed plants. As I continued looking, I saw more ball moss, some green moss, and even a couple of Tillandsia seedlings. With a huge sigh, I regained a sense of optimism and hope. No longer tied up in knots of angst, my stomach and heart now opened to peace. My heart sang Alleluia  as I gloried in seeing, feeling, and honoring  the tenaciousness of life, of Mother Earth, of Nature.   

Karen’s question had been answered.  Yes, I could deal with what was happening to our beloved Mother Nature and still be peaceful if  I remembered to forgo judgments and to look with the eyes of a child. Such eyes see and celebrate  present beauty and potential positive possibilities. 

May we look with the eyes of a child

and nurture hope and peace within our hearts

Reflections:  

First, I want to be clear that it is important to mourn the loss of trees, sacred soil, plants, gopher tortoises, etc. and it is also important to do all in our power to implement wise choices for Nature.  We can join with nature lovers around our state, nation, and world to promote conservation through groups such as The Nature Conservancy and League of Conservation Voters to name a few. 

Writing this post has been great fun as it has given me the chance to recognize the blessings that appear every time I look with the eyes of a child.  My garden offers a perfect example.  The yard has no grass, it is a garden of  mostly native plants and edibles.  There is always something that needs to be tended to in the garden, more than I can handle on my own. Fortunately, I have a wonderful friend and garden pro Diane who has helped me for several years now.  She has had some medical challenges of late that do not allow her to help in my garden or anyone else’s.  It’s been fascinating for me to observe myself and my reactions to the situation; I have ranged from total acceptance to horror that I would allow my garden to be such a shambles!

When I chose to judge that something was wrong, I felt sad, overwhelmed and totally disconnected from peace.  That felt yucky so I regrouped and remembered the blessings of looking with a child’s eyes I had learned from the experience with the Oak tree. Once I did that, I was able to focus on the joys of what thrives in my garden rather than judgements about weeds and neglect.  Yes, my yard/garden has “weeds,” but what does a child know of weeds when there is joy to behold. My child’s eyes see and rejoice in the profusion of butterflies, moths, birds, and insects in my garden.  It is a happy and peaceful place.  May you also look with a child’s eyes and thrive in the resulting hope, joy, and peace within your heart

Your turn to reflect – Is there a situation in your life or our world in which it might benefit you to choose to look with the eyes of a child?  Can you imagine a world in which we all are willing and able to suspend judgment and look with the fresh, loving eyes of a child?  

Thank you for being a vital part of Peace on Earth by nurturing peace in your heart, in your life.  The more that you embody peace, the more peace there is.

Your comments and suggestions are welcomed.  (Click on the blue link below.)