My Earth Day essay was over 2500 words, complete with footnotes and quotes, before I scrapped it yesterday. I think I may have rendered myself incoherent because I so wanted to make an impact, wanted to “say something important” for this anniversary. My relationship with the Earth is rather vital to me, as you might have guessed from even a cursory acquaintance with this blog.
It did not take me quite a thousand words in the second draft today, writing about my grandfather’s Parkinson’s Disease as a result of exposure to agricultural pesticides, before I realized that that was not what I wanted to say, either.
What I want to say is this:
Love the Earth.
I know I sound naive and simple, which is why I’ve danced around saying it now in two different essays. But I really do think the more we connect with this beautiful planet, and truly allow ourselves to feel the wonder and joy of being alive now, here, the more likely it will be that each of us will choose to live thoughtfully and deliberately and lightly, will desire to heal and no longer to harm, will get involved wherever we can to spread that love and to make appropriate changes where we have the power to do so.
I think that we’re all pretty intelligent, after all, and if something matters to us, matters deeply, we will figure out a way to learn what we need to learn and do what we need to do to keep ourselves in alignment with that core value. This doesn’t mean, of course, that we will suddenly do it perfectly, that we will transition seamlessly to a new mode of living to match our new way of seeing the world, never once making a mistake. Like everything else in life, it will be a process, fluid and unknowable in advance, with challenges and opportunities along the way. And probably failures, too.
i heart u
In my reading today, on the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day, I have been coming across a lot of panic, and blaming, guilt, fear, anger, and shaming. I understand that we are collectively mourning the perhaps easier worldview we used to have. Or at least many of us are in my area of the world; I can observe no other area accurately. Many people are in denial, or are bitterly angry, or are bargaining with the Divine or the Powers That Be to try and hold on to their old way of thinking and acting in the world. Some of us are downright depressed, or panicked, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problems, or burnt out from trying to win the fight day-in and day-out.
In other words, we are going through all the classic stages of grief, all at once, but at our own speeds.
I don’t want to add to that fear or guilt or anger or denial or shame. I don’t think it helps the Earth, I don’t think it helps the humans, and I don’t think it’s a good place, psychologically speaking, from which to make rational decisions. I find the guilt part especially disturbing — and very common.
Why should you feel the weight of Industrial Civilization’s choices squarely on your shoulders? That burden can be paralyzing. (I speak from experience.)
That’s why I’m urging love, really. No matter what you think of the science, or the politics, or the history, or the future, you can decide to get to know the bit of earth that you come into contact with daily. You can learn its contours, its habits, its glories, its goals.
Wait. Does the Earth have goals? I think so. Maybe you will disagree once you know your patch of ground well.
And from knowing it better, learning its ways, respecting them, the love arises naturally. It really does. And it is never a paralyzing force. Love doesn’t say, Quick, change everything you do now! Or you’re no good! Love might whisper a sweet nothing, a hint that really, it might be nicer, more worthy of your love, to do it this way. It might even make the beloved feel good, make her life that little bit better, make him smile that adorable, genuine little-boy smile.
All of these portraits are of the fallen seed leaves of Mustard ‘Ruby Streaks.’ As plants grow, at some point they no longer need their seed leaves and let them go. These are not “true” leaves, but hold much of the power of the seed, allowing the plant access to just enough energy to get established, at which point it can support itself on a diet of sunlight and raindrops, rich earth and fresh breezes. An honest-to-goodness miracle — that happens every day and without which, I wouldn’t be writing and you wouldn’t be reading these words.
These tiny leaves resisted being positioned on my kitchen table. They wanted to flutter off on their own paths or stick to my skin instead.
I named the one above “seed leaves and earth,” because a little earth came with them when I picked them up from the dewy garden this morning… and of course it ended up in the portrait. As I looked at the series, searching for a “clean” one, I realized that there is always earth, in any picture, whether of a child, a cubicle or a concert hall, a book, a bank or a bald eagle, a party, a pair of socks or a Painted Dessert. Whether the scene is indoors or out, primitive or modern, urban or rural, candid or posed, it is there.
We are of the Earth; it is the ground of our being, after all.
What’s not to love?
Happy Earth Day, everyone!
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“I find the guilt part especially disturbing — and very common.” I do often feel this, but try to just do what I can when I can. But it can be overwhelming!
I think I’m glad that you went with this essay instead, for what better a message than “to love”. Those little leaves are too sweet.
Alisha´s last blog ..My first Squarespace complaint
I’m glad you liked the final version, Alisha.
Beautifully put, and those leaves are oh so cute! Like a love affair, the earth just keeps giving, how can we not give back in return?
Gillian´s last blog ..Drunken radish
Thank you, Gillian. For me it definitely is a love affair; perhaps our species has just strayed for a little while and will soon remember our commitment.
Happy Earth Day to you too Meredith
A loving approach, that is a wonderful way of thinking about it! You’ve inspired me to talk to my daughter about caring for the environment from the perspective of love.
The little mustard seed leaf hearts are wonderful – when I saw the first photo I thought they were caught on the breeze!
Heidi (GippyGardener)´s last blog ..Gippy Garden Project List 2010
Thank you, Heidi. I am thrilled that you’ll talk to your daughter about it this way!
One of my main concerns is that we not guilt the children; I grew up with enough guilt to wish that every child could skip that, and I cannot imagine the pressure and shaming and worry today’s sensitive and informed teens and preteens are taking on from the tone of the world around them. 
Beautiful post, Meredith. I do what I can every day to love the earth. I honor the earth every day. And I am grateful for those that do the same.
Talon´s last blog ..Hush…
I know that you honor it, Talon. It is in your words every time you write of it, and even in the way you point the lens of your camera. I’m grateful for the efforts that each person is making, and I thank you for yours.
I must admit that Earth day would have passed me by, were it not for this post. It’s managed to pass me by every year before!
I think everyday, my soil whispers, “go on, try again!”
The Idiot Gardener´s last blog ..Sometimes the best just isn’t good enough
Well, I’m happy to have drawn your attention that way, IG. What encouraging soil you have! And I’m not at all surprised that it wants you to keep trying — so do I!
We are of the Earth – I like that and so true. All we can do is honor it in our own way and do what we can. I am proud to work for a “green” printer – we recycle all scrap paper, use soy-based inks and encourage the use of post consumer content paper.
Lynn´s last blog ..Tending roses, legacy and just the ticket
Oh, that’s wonderful to learn about your print company, Lynn.
Why am I not surprised, after hearing so much good about the working environment there?
I think my attitude to the earth has changed since we adopted kids. You suddenly realise that what you do now will influence what happens to their future on this earth we live on. Bad English, but you know what I mean.
I do try to do my bit to look after what I believe is God’s creation.
LL Cool Joe´s last blog ..Do my feet look big in these boots?
I know exactly what you mean, Joe, even though I do not have children of my own. And I agree that there is a spiritual dimension to our relationship with the Earth for many of us.
Lovely hearts and words and so important! So true that the Earth is in everything … including of course … ourselves. I hope we wake up soon.
Carolflowerhillfarm´s last blog ..Earth Dance Courtship
Carol, I’m glad you liked the wee hearts. I, too, am crossing my fingers for a mass wake-up soon — and I’m almost sure it will happen in my lifetime.
Great post… the words and pictures are gorgeous.
Thank you, hon. I bask in kind words about my writing and photography.
Without love there can be no hope, without hope there can only be oblivion. Thanks Meredith for another breath, another moment of calm xx
carrie´s last blog ..My contribution to yesterday’s Earth Day
You are so welcome, Carrie. It’s all about the love!
Great post! I think you can’t go wrong coming from a place of gentleness and love. I love the little hearts, too–what terrific illustrations for your words.
Kathy´s last blog ..It’s Been 40 Years?
Well, Kathy, you might go wrong from that place — but you’d quickly sense it and make amends (says the woman who sniped at her husband this a.m. and *almost* caused a tiff before she woke up to what she was doing
.)
Aren’t those hearts adorable? I was transplanting some more mustard plants out of a pot yesterday and noticed these hearts falling on the earth as I did so. It just seemed too perfect!
I couldn’t agree more with the sentiment of your post. I’m glad this was the final version you wrote. To be honest, I think that spending excess amounts of time feeling guilt-ridden about how things may be, is simply wasted energy. It is important to be aware of the problems, and aware of the need of change, even gradual change, but the energies are better directed toward change, than grief. The ‘damage’ has not been done in a single generation, and it is unlikely to be undone in a generation either. I can’t magically make the air clean, the waters safe to drink, but I can make my own changes in regards to how I chose to tread on this earth, and make every day, my Earth Day.
Curbstone Valley Farm´s last blog ..Changing Chicks
Thank you for that wonderful feedback, CV. You are so right about this process taking time and being gradual — and about us not needing the wasted energy of guilt and anxiety to slow the process even further. Beautifully said!
Thanks for hope, instead of despair.
Oh, Diana, you are so very welcome. I think the cure for despair might be out there, in the garden and in the woods.
“love earth”
beautiful inspiration meredith. a powerful yet simple appeal on behalf of our planet and beautiful images.
thank you!
elsa´s last blog ..flohmarkt saison {fleamarket season}
I’m so glad it resonated with you, Elsa. Thank you for the kind words!
Meredith, The third time must be a charm; this is a wonderful essay. I’m intrigued by your observation that we often try to “clean up” the products of our garden when we photograph them and remove all signs of the earth that they grow in. I know I do this! Food for thought.
Jean´s last blog ..Spring Has Sprung!
Jean, I’m touched by the compliment. I almost always clean up the shots, especially of produce and flowers, probably following the more conventional aesthetics. However, even when scrubbed clean, there’s always earth in every picture.