“Every day I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I feel I must return the gift” –Robin Wall Kimmerer
It is so easy to become overwhelmed by the craziness and the injustices of this world. To feel hopeless in righting the wrongs that are being done against the earth and all the living creatures. I am both saddened and angered over the recent train derailment in Ohio that spilled hazardous chemicals into the air, earth and water. Although I am hopeful that we can save this planet, I also realize that hope without action is futile. If we turn away from these atrocities and believe that nothing can be done, then nothing ever will be. The more informed and involved that we become, the greater our chances of finding solutions to prevent these disasters from happening in the future.
As Stewards of Nature, each of us needs to speak out against transgressions that have been committed against the earth and its creatures. With passion and persistence, change can occur. Time spent in nature allows us to move beyond ourselves and to reconnect with the energy of the universe. Nature also shows us that the world can be a place of harmony and peace. Ultimately it is in each of our hands to help preserve the gifts that we have been given.
After you finish this blog, I hope that you will reach out to your Congressmen, Congresswomen and Senators and urge them to enforce stronger regulations and braking systems on the transport of hazardous chemicals, as well as more thorough and conscientious clean up after these spills occur. Although we may not be personally threatened by this particular spill, if we do not work to stop this negligence it will eventually affect us all in the future. When we gather together to make our voices heard we move beyond hope and move forward toward empowerment.
Love and Blessings,
Cheryl
Michigan Senators:
Debbie Stabenow
517-203-1760 (Mid-Michigan)
202-224-4822 (Washington DC)
Gary Peters
517-377-1508 (Mid-Michigan)
202-224-6221 (Washington DC)