I’ve begun to believe that caring is an art. At its best it’s born out of love. When we care for something, it’s not a selfless act. That’s a misconception we’ve been led to believe. When we care for something, we are extending our gratitude for its existence.
I’m guessing in days gone by as we survived by what we grew in our gardens or harvested from the wilds, there was a lot more respect and caring for the land. I remember my Dine teacher saying before the Europeans came, no one would have ever thought to pee in the waterways. Let alone destroy the precious and life-giving water for personal gain.
For decades uranium mining on the Navajo reservation contaminated large portions of the water sources and led to kidney diseases and cancers. Today we’re faced with numerous attacks on our fresh water systems. The proposed natural gas plant, the Nemadji Trail Energy Center will be located in Superior, WI. Pipelines will run adjacent to or through waterways and spills are a given, not an exception.
Sign the petition to STOP NTEC. For non-superior residents, as well.
Today I spent time in our old heirloom orchard, cutting back grape vines choking the trees and nipping the early shoots of multi-floral rose. Multi-floral rose sounds like such a nice plant, doesn’t it? But I can tell you the thorns are ruthless as they cling to your clothing and gouge your skin. And nothing eats this plant, not sheep, not deer, no one wants it near-by. So, in an act of preservation of the land, I take to cutting it.
Spring is coming early this year. Budding trees confirm this. Caring for the land is taking on a whole new urgency as the gratitude for all of it continues to grow.
let kindness win 