Our Part
in The Circle of Life
by Crede Calhoun of Camp
Earth
April 2002
We share the earth with thousands of species. All around us, animals are busy eating, playing, mating and going about their lives. If you live in a city, it is easy to think of ourselves as the center of all this life. But, we are just part of a circle of life. Each piece of nature helps hold the natural world together. If one piece of nature disappears or is destroyed then all the other parts can be hurt. This unfortunate decline of the earth and natural systems can be stopped, or maybe even reversed, if we all try and give back more to nature than we take. It may be as simple as holding the natural world in your heart as a friend.
The importance of each piece of nature is easy to understand when you look at the importance of water. All of life depends on water. Our bodies are 95% water and we need water to live and to survive. Without water we would die in 3-4 days. If the water is unhealthy or becomes polluted we cannot safely drink it and we can become sick. Without clean water all of life can be harmed. The world is a giant single water system. All the water eventually mixes and we must keep the whole water system healthy.
If you take out one piece of nature's puzzle the whole natural world can be hurt. Each species of animal depends on another animal or plant for food. If one type of plant or animal disappears from the forest or ocean, the animal that depended on this species for food will be hurt. This can create a chain reaction that will hurt the other animals in the food chain.
If you look at each individual you will notice that each individual is unique. Each person has fingerprints that only they have. No other person has those same fingerprints. This is true for all of life. Each thing in nature is unique. If you look at a tree you will see that no two trees are alike. Each tree you see is like no other tree. In the entire universe there is no other tree just like the one you are looking at. This true for every animal too. Each animal is unique, each plant, each rock, even each snowflake. How all these unique things work together in a web of complex life is one of the Great Mysteries of life. Somehow all these things work together to be good for each other. Sometimes one individual thing must give its life so another can live. This is how the circle of life works.
We sometimes think that there is nothing we can do to help protect the natural world. But, this is not true. Each of us can take small steps to make it easier on Nature. If we start today to care about all the animals, the water, and Mother Earth, other people will see how we feel and maybe we can help them to think differently about nature. Every little step or thing we do can make a difference if many people are making the same efforts.
When you throw a pebble in the pond it makes a ripple that multiplies, grows and expands. If the pond was big enough these ripples would go on forever growing. This can be how are thoughts and feelings work also. If one person thinks and acts differently these new feelings can create ripples that grow and affect many people. If each person shares how they feel than others can start to think differently too. This process can grow and expand from each person to each person and maybe even help everybody in the whole world be different. If everyone thinks that Mother Earth is here for us to abuse and take from, then that is how we will treat the Earth. But, if people think we must protect the Earth for the future generations then this is how we will begin to act. If we begin to really care about the health and happiness of others maybe love can grow in our spirit.
We have all heard stories about how one person has changed the world. Usually this is because they have begun to see things differently and they have shared these new feelings with others. Each unique person has special abilities and gifts that no other person has. Some people are good at drawing, some are good at teaching, some are good at working with their hands, some are good at reading. Everyone has something that they do well, and everyone has some special talent that they can use to help others. Don't let any one tell you that you are not an artist. Everyone has the ability to make and create beautiful things for others. Native Americans spent much of their time crafting beautiful clothes, ceremonial items and most of their objects had the personal touch. Making something with your hands for someone is a sacrifice that is rewarded by giving more than taking.
It is part of our job as humans to figure out what it is that we do best and how we can use this skill to help others. And, the 'others' are not just other humans but all of our animal friends, and the Earth, and the elements like the air and water. History is full of stories about how one person or a group of dedicated people helped solve a problem or bring about a new way of thinking. You too can start a chain reaction in the minds of people by starting to think and do things differently. The love and happiness you project on others is reflected back on you:)
Some Ideas That Can Help You Make A Difference
1)Plan an Earth
Day Party, Celebration or Event. April 22nd.
Organize your class, neighborhood, or friends to come up with an idea. Maybe you
could make posters that show the circle of life, maybe you could have a parade
or make a play, and dress up like animals and trees to tell a story.
2)Write a poem or draw picture (or both) about how much you love animals and the earth. Place it on the fridge so others can see it. Make your own personal sacred hiking stick. Peel and paint it, decorate with feathers, stones or other cool stuff and use it on your hikes. Learn how to make some crafts that are fun and don't use energy.
3)Start a recycling program in your home and school. Grow a garden (even a small one)
4)Try extra hard to be sure lights are turned off and the heat is turned lower at night to reduce energy consumption.
5)Find a watershed (stream or creek) near your house and get a group together to clean it up. Pick up trash, remove old tires and plastic bags. Contact your local newspaper and let them now what you are doing. Maybe they write an article or take a picture of your project in the paper and this will help others to see what you are doing and how you feel. Get before and after pictures and make a scrapbook for each ecology project you do. Start a club and sell environmentally friendly products to raise money to do your special projects.
6) Plant trees. Maybe even heat and weather resistant varieties that provide good food for local wildlife. The National Arbor Day Foundation can supply your class with trees, or you can get them donated from a local nursery. You could plant a tree in honor of each of your classmates or a special relative. You can decorate paper grocery bags for Earth Day, you could organize your group to help save the rain forest. Thirty Activities For Earth Day
7)Plan ecology events anytime!!! Not just Earth Day. Nature is always there providing for you. You can give something back to the natural world anytime.
I hope these ideas can help you have fun and happiness by learning about the joys of service to the environment and others. We have to have balance in our lives and we have to give as much as we take. This is what harmony and a healthy environment is all about.
Try this if you want to. Go outside and sit alone at your favorite spot. If you don't have a special meditation or prayer spot, wander around until you find one that feels right. Under a tree, beside a stream, on a favorite rock or wherever you can be alone and undisturbed. Close your eyes and think hard about what you can do to make a positive difference.
Listen for the wind, and the song of birds or the rustle of leaves. Let yourself slowdown. Breathe relaxed, and relax your body from the top of your head to your toes. Focus your intention and thoughts on what you can do to help all your relations (humans, animals, plants, water, earth, rock, stars, wind, etc.) Be quiet, and still, and listen for guidance. Ask for the wisdom and path you need. Directions can come from within, or maybe from the Great Mystery, or your own spiritual Master like Jesus. Who cares how it works. Traveling at the speed of nature can be a welcome change. I think you will find it is amazing how clear your mind becomes when you give yourself this time alone in nature.
Next month we'll tell a traditional Native American Story and explore how you can learn about life and the universe from the wisdom and power of animals.