I’ve been thinking lately about the predominant way in which children grow up now: urban, tech-based, scheduled, rushed. I’ve been wondering whether that way of growing inhibits the potential for children to sustain and deepen their love for the natural world around them. I’ve been worrying about that: how can one act in the interests of, with compassion for, heck - even want to save - something that one doesn’t love? Where will that leave us when it comes to understanding what’s really required when it comes to climate change?
Bevan, thank you for this comment. Yes, I wonder about the exact same things. And I think that's right, we must begin the work from a place of love. That is, I think, the only truly sustaining force we have to draw upon.
The other day, Aspen was laying on the sidewalk watching ants and I was getting impatient to get home and I had to catch myself--all the ways I still find myself in a rush! And how much more beautiful the world could be if we all so easily and freely gave fifteen minutes to simply watching and delighting in something like an ant. :)
I love this piece--what a treasure your writing is! The beauitful sense of wonder your piece evokes. and I like the conenction you make to Rachel Carson's brilliant book and work. It can seem like we lose that sense of wonder, and often spend our adult years trying to find it again. Your essay is one place wonder can be found.
I also like the discovery that piping Plovers and other song birds may be an ancient species, and are messengers from the eras long past- connecting past present and future.
I also love that Aspen, Andy and you are blessed to explore this world of wonder together. What a wonder-full journey it is and will be!
Thank you so much, Larry! Yes, I completely agree that wonder can be a sustained practice that can bring us back to that child mind that is so open to awe (definitely something Aspen is teaching me about). And a blessing indeed to explore wonder together in family and community. Your work, too, creates spaces that foster such practices :))
I’ve been thinking lately about the predominant way in which children grow up now: urban, tech-based, scheduled, rushed. I’ve been wondering whether that way of growing inhibits the potential for children to sustain and deepen their love for the natural world around them. I’ve been worrying about that: how can one act in the interests of, with compassion for, heck - even want to save - something that one doesn’t love? Where will that leave us when it comes to understanding what’s really required when it comes to climate change?
This essay spoke to those thoughts. Thank you.
Bevan, thank you for this comment. Yes, I wonder about the exact same things. And I think that's right, we must begin the work from a place of love. That is, I think, the only truly sustaining force we have to draw upon.
The other day, Aspen was laying on the sidewalk watching ants and I was getting impatient to get home and I had to catch myself--all the ways I still find myself in a rush! And how much more beautiful the world could be if we all so easily and freely gave fifteen minutes to simply watching and delighting in something like an ant. :)
We need more ant-ension in the world!
I love this piece--what a treasure your writing is! The beauitful sense of wonder your piece evokes. and I like the conenction you make to Rachel Carson's brilliant book and work. It can seem like we lose that sense of wonder, and often spend our adult years trying to find it again. Your essay is one place wonder can be found.
I also like the discovery that piping Plovers and other song birds may be an ancient species, and are messengers from the eras long past- connecting past present and future.
I also love that Aspen, Andy and you are blessed to explore this world of wonder together. What a wonder-full journey it is and will be!
Thank you so much, Larry! Yes, I completely agree that wonder can be a sustained practice that can bring us back to that child mind that is so open to awe (definitely something Aspen is teaching me about). And a blessing indeed to explore wonder together in family and community. Your work, too, creates spaces that foster such practices :))
Thank you my friend!