This meme sent along YouTube programs I follow, spoke to my heart and I thought it would create a great conversation. Within this picture lies the potential for you to ask questions and look within. What do you see? When I first saw this, I noticed the spring green colour that sparks renewal and life itself. The mountain range that seemed to begin and go beyond, stirred in me, the future possibilities of where I could go. I loved the natural river that meandered from the mountains, flowing gently but ever evolving down the slope of the land. I felt like I was one of the people standing on rock crop not believing the beauty that was laid before me. I could only imagine what they were thinking and saying. Did he hold the deed of the land in his hands? The ancient tree to the right piqued my curiosity also, for the branches seemed to reach out and wave to the onlookers, suggesting they should come for a visit. As I began to notice more details, I felt calm and happy. I love these colours and I felt like I belonged here. The words “You deserve to be in environments that bring out the softness in you” ran through my mind. Yes, I do belong! This reminds me of the true north, where I live.
I came here knowing I needed to be surrounded by the rock, the fir, spruce, cedar and pine. Nature has a way of speaking to our soul and our cells. Rural nature has the opportunity to communicate with us better than in a big city. There was a difference when I lived in the city. You always had to be on the watch for people, cars, crime, and cameras. No privacy, no quiet and physical space was limited. Even the parks became full on the weekends. We all deserve some green space to breathe and grow. My biggest change came when I moved from the city to rural Northern Ontario. It took time to lay my foundation because I was unaware how tall the fortress was that I built around me. Dismantling the barriers of survival was important not only physically but mentally. My belief system, my attitudes and my resources were built on survival and now I had to adjust to my new surroundings. As I learned about nature and trusted the native teachings I began to soften my soul. I connected to the poet within and wrote about my sightings and experiences. I began to understand the connectiveness between everything and the fragility of humanity. The lessons I am learning is that we are not here to survive but to create. We are not here to fight but to unite and we are not here to take our fair share but to care about the plight of each other. What is good for one is good for all. We are all going through the same lessons but at different times.
When I ponder this picture, I know the environment that I choose to live in. I choose one that is green, lush and holds the potential for growth but not at a cost of being there alone. I want one that includes you. We all need this type of environment in order to be at peace, grow and share, our lives together. Some of you may see this as heaven. The portal that these people stepped through being led by an angel or spiritual mentor but I see this as each of us, now having the opportunity to walk through this portal and create this heaven on earth. There is more than enough room on this limited hangout called Earth for all 8 billion of us. All it takes is a belief that you deserve this too!
Happy Earth Day Tribe
Jacqueline
TEETERING ON THE EDGE 