Like so many, i find the issues of our day a lot to handle. It’s hard to move through the world knowing you could do more to ease the suffering of the natural world and the people within. That guilt could just be the catholic upbringing in me coming out but it seems to be a thing others struggle with as well.
As a species we have risen above an existence wrought from moment to moment survival and the intimate knowledge that we must kill to survive. But the fact remains, whether it’s from plants or animals, our lives require the energy gleaned from other beings for our own continued existence.
But if we look around and truly observe the natural world (of which we are a part) we see there is a balance. The squirrel harvests offerings from the oak but also does it a service by planting their acorns far and wide. The bee harvests pollen from the flower but also helps out the plant by pollinating it for the next generation of seeds. There is a balance to these systems, a give and take.
Understanding this and knowing I, as a human being, am part of this system, this one energy, I ask myself, what do I take and what can I give back. It’s one of the many reasons I garden with native plants. It puts me a little closer to seeing and and understanding that singular energy and it feels good to do a little something to give back to it.
It might not seem like much in the face of massive issues like climate change or shootings but it’s a thing many of us can do that not only puts us back in touch with natural systems, but in aggregate, it does make a difference. For me. it also helps relieve some of the stress from the helplessness I feel. So if anybody is thinking of trying this out Id encourage you to give it a shot. I’m not and expert but I’m happy to share what I’ve learned along the way.