A Simple Truth

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Yes, today is Thanksgiving here in America. One day out of 365. And after this day of Thanksgiving, there is the siren’s song of consume, consume, consume…

But isn’t every day an opportunity to give thanks for life, for family, for nature, for others, for all other sentient beings (animals, plants, etc.) of this earth, the earth itself and the divine that blends within all things of creation. Each breath we take; each thought we have; each word we say is a blending of the divine/spirit and matter. It is our choice where we put our focus—spirit or matter.

Blessing and giving thanks needs to be done daily. And there is much to bless and be thankful for on this still beautiful earth. Each breath is a gift of the divine; are you thankful for this simple act of life.

Have you ever experienced near drowning? Have you ever choked on a piece of roast beef or a pretzel? As a child have you ever competed with a friend to see who could hold his or her breath the longest? And when you could finally breathe again, no matter what the circumstances, that initial gasp of air, that precious handhold of life, was the sweetest moment you could experience. I know this to be true, as I have choked on a piece of roast beef and a pretzel and was unable to breathe until my dear wife dislodged both. During and after graduate school, I was also a lifeguard and saved three people from drowning. I know and felt their terror when they could not breathe and that sweet moment when they took their first breath. I was at the birth of my daughter and held her as she took her first breath and screamed her announcement of arrival to the whole world.

Breath is precious; please do not lose sight of this simple truth.

And so is nature, the earth and the food that it provides—bless and be thankful daily.

Right now, change and transformation are needed. A return to a green philosophy is needed. This is an egalitarian philosophy of humanity’s partnership with the seen and unseen things of the earth and nature—a green philosophy. Furthermore, society has lost many of the values treasured by past indigenous cultures, such as a partnership with nature, truth telling, and elder/ancestor respect and honor. We need to discover meaning in life—not accumulate money and material things. The equality of men and women as well as the equality of all things—as all have the starlight/divine spark within them—needs to be reinstated. These and other lost values need to be reinstated throughout this earth. Nature needs to be respected, loved and cared for by humanity. We need to be partners in relationship with nature, not its stewards.

Finally, let’s make sure that our children and their children and future generations give THANKS that during these transitional trying times we rebelled against the materialistic powers and chose Water (Life) over oil (greed).

 

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