How, exactly, are we connected to the earth, the more-than-human world, in our lives and in our actions?
And in the light of this connection, how are we to carry out our lives on a changing earth?
These are the questions we are called to answer in this kairos, this graced moment of opportune crisis. I have come to believe that opening ourselves to such inquiry and participating daily in the process of discovery it implies is our most urgent work as humans in the new millennium. And not because engaging these questions will make us happier, or smarter, or make more of our moments feel enchanted, though it will certainly do all of these things. It is urgent because an intimate awareness of the continuity between our lives and the rest of life is the only thing that will truly conserve the earth - this wonderful earth that we rightly love.
excerpt from Crow Planet: essential wisdom from the urban wilderness by Lyanda Lynn Haupt
This book written by a West Seattle Mom and director of educational programs for Seattle Audubon, made me realize a few things:
- Calling myself a naturalist is a much grander title than I had ever thought, I correctly shall now be called a nature enthusiast.
- I see crows in an entirely new light. What their numbers say about our ecosystem and their relationship to humans is enlightening.
- Finding fascinating behavior among the most mundane of urban animals is important work for us and our children
No comments:
Post a Comment