Our relationship with the earth is dysfunctional. We have a small window within which we can make it less dysfunctional. We can choose definitive ways to heal the breach.
As we’ve been relegated inside, I’ve read about people longing for travel and adventure, momentarily forgetting that globalization and intense, sometimes unnecessary inter-connection is a part of what has us in this pandemic and emergency environmental state — Travel is a privilege, not a right — I’m guilty of this myself. Having lead international retreats, traveled across country, seeking adventure and sensation. But at what cost? Should we never travel again? No. But can we lessen, mitigate and rethink the ways in which we do travel? The answer is yes we can. And now we must.
Being forced to stay home, many of us have come to experience the beauty of our own backyard. I have a note on my fridge that reminds me daily, “there is no need to go to India or anywhere else to find peace. You will find that deep place of silence right in your own room, your garden or even your bathtub” — Elisabeth Kubler-Ross.
This past month inside has further affirmed this intense pull towards home. I am choosing to lean into it. Local businesses and tourism will need support once this first wave of the virus eases. I want to find ways to help with that support.
Let’s change the line of questioning from, “When can I travel to see the world?” to “What can I do at home to ensure there is a world worth seeing?”
Namaste home and hug a tree.
