daily earth day celebrations

and an anecdote

To express our reverence for the Earth is not to deify her or believe she is any more sacred than ourselves. It is to love her, to take care of her and to take refuge in her. When we suffer, the Earth embraces us, accepts us, and restores our energy, making us strong and stable again. The relief that we seek is right under our feet and all around us. Much of our suffering can be healed if we realize this. If we understand our deep connection and relationship with the Earth, we will have enough love, strength, and awakening to look after ourselves and the Earth so that we both can thrive.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Have you ever had the pleasure of watching kids play in and explore nature? Chasing a butterfly, watching sand and water move between their toes, pinching blades of grass, picking petals off a flower.

I felt very connected to plants and animals for as long as I can remember, so much so as to write a letter – accompanied by a drawing – to President Clinton asking to halt construction on an open area of land near my family’s home where I had come across bunnies and deer, terrified that they would lose their homes.

The very real and devastation I felt when the President was unable to stop what I considered to be the barbaric building of homes – favoring new gated communities of humans over the land’s furry rightful owners – remains fire to fuel my furnace of doing what I can in my daily life to support Earth and its inhabitants.

Although eco-activism can undoubtedly feel like a hopeless, daunting task, I knew that I didn’t have to create a global Save The Whales campaign to do my part – and the same goes for all of us who are fortunate enough to receive the bountiful gifts from Nature simply by being born onto this planet.

My interest in eco-consciousness blossomed as I advocated for recycling and upcycling in my teens, studied sustainable fashion in grad school in my early 20s, and took a deep dive into yoga / meditation / nutrition / Ayurveda in my mid 20s. My passion for the interconnectedness of sustainability of mind, body, and planet continues to evolve as I uncover more about all of the above.

The more I learn, the more I am A. overwhelmed at the devastation we’ve caused and B. hopeful for the countless small yet powerful actions people can take on a daily basis to support and celebrate Earth.

To help kickstart your own sustainable practices, are 3 super simple ways you can communicate and reconnect to Mama Earth every single day we spend on our collective home:

1. Give thanks before each meal | Nature selflessly provides us with everything we need [even when we’re not so mindful of Her]. A simple “Thank You” before chomping your veggies can be very meaningful.
2. Literally touch Nature | Put your hands on a tree trunk, place your feet in the grass, hold a flower, pet a house plant, feel the breeze and water on your face. Sense the natural world on your skin and within.
3. Take a walk and look up at Nature vs down at screens | Feast your eyeballs on the natural vs digitized world. Maybe even say “hello” to bugs and clouds; offer another “thank you” to the air and plants for oxygen.

Of course there is always more we can do, like being more aware of what and from whom we consume, and what we can reuse / reduce / recycle in lieu of purchasing everything brand new [and most likely wrapped in plastic]. When in doubt, though, start small, because every little bit can make a big impact.

Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh said, “When we look into our own bodily formation, we see Mother Earth inside us, and so the whole universe is inside us, too. Once we have this insight of interbeing, it is possible to have real communication, real communion, with the Earth. This is the highest possible form of prayer.”

How will you communicate with this planet we all call home – for the benefit of all beings – by using these 3 simple tips above, or by intuitively practicing your own eco-awareness?

Feel free to share the post and tips to those who might benefit – we are all in this together.

Contact me for support and coaching to cultivate a more sustainable lifestyle to benefit your mind and body, and our Mama Earth.

Read the newsletter for a pasta primavera [ish] dish, upcoming ways to practice yoga and meditation with me – including a grounding tree meditation, mindful learning tools, 20% off Sakara’s new quality plant-protein bar, and good vibes.

Photo: Yasmina Schoueri / Bois de Vincennes, Paris / November 2020.