To be “at one” with the environment… what does that mean? Obviously, because of poor education and other similar factors, most of us do not fully feel like we are “at one” with the environment. We take. and take, and continue to take, and we mistreat the environment, not realizing our sacred duty to protect it and conserve it. Some Native American tribes realized their sacred relationship to the environment. They lived in ways that deeply revered nature, and they felt that they were truly one with the land, the sky, and the waters. By the time the Europeans arrived, many were primarily farmers and lived in vast confederations that the Europeans later emulated. The Natives realized that nature and their being were one whole.
I am not perfect, but i try to do what i can. I heat and air-condition my house with green Geothermal energy, i recycle when possible, i drive a Hybrid car, i donate monthly to the Environmental Defense Fund, i stay local without traveling great distances, and do other things. In a world that is rapidly falling into serious global warming, insane wind buildup, serious microplastic buildup, and extensive pollution, we can all do better. Many species are going extinct at record numbers due to man’s misuse and abuse of the environment. We need to change, we need to limit our population responsibly, and we need to care from the heart. If you understand the gravity of the situation, then (in a big way) the land, the sea, and the skies will.
[The artifact pictured below is a Native American Effigy Pipe Artifact. The Native Americans revered Nature and often artistically made many stone products to display their love of nature.] l
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
💯❤️ Awesome work always Tom! God Bless
Much appreciated, M.T.! Take care, my friend. 😊
❤️💯🌞😎
Tom, this message is spot on. 🤗 When my husband and I moved to this area, it was pure “country” although our development was a new one. But we saw farms and fields by the road growing crops of corn, soybeans, greens, tomatoes, and sunflowers. Now, our area is unrecognizable. Houses, condos, and apartments have popped up everywhere and taken all of those fields that once grew food and left wildlife homeless.
Man is a greedy bastard! Take, take, take is right. And to think we are supposed to be the caretakers of creation. SMH 🤬
Yes, Kym, our species is causing havoc for the Earth. We feel like it is here for us to use and exploit… not as something precious that we are a small part of. Environmental awareness has not been emphasized enough in schools. We most certainly can do better. 😉
I agree Tom, we can do better and we must! 🥰💖🤗
The planet would be in much better shape if native people had not been displaced almost everywhere in the world. Your message is spot on, Tom.
Yes, Sandy, you’re right about the Native people. Here in America, the genocide that was involved with their demise has been carefully covered up and rationalized. They were not a crude, savage group of heartless people. They produced fantastic, beautiful art — much in the way of carved stone products — that is not displayed in museums for us to see. Modern man doesn’t want you to see how intelligent, cooperative, and sophisticated they were.
I agree with you Tom. I’m sure a lot of people don’t understand (or care to understand) the plight of our planet or its inhabitants. They wave their hand and say “it’s only butterflies, or birds, or native plants – the water levels will return, the marshes won’t be dried up anymore” and dismiss it. To displace animals – that’s okay – we want big cities with lots of amenities. But when it finally affects them directly, perhaps they will hop on that bandwagon but it will be too late by then. Joni Mitchell said it best: “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”
I will step off my soapbox and compliment you on the photos – is this the same toad or a cousin of the toad in “I toad you so” on your website home page?
Yes, Linda, it will be far too late when they jump on the bandwagon, unfortunately. That Joni Mitchell song was sure insightful about what would happen. I sure wish that people would be more caring and more intelligent than they are… but it is what it is. Now they are saying that in a few short decades, parts of the world will not be sustainable for life. It’s already happening.
I know you care about Earth’s creatures a whole lot. Keep caring and being a good example!
Unfortunately when Joni Mitchell sang this song, we likely appreciated the music because it was Joni Mitchell, more than the words or we would have set about doing something way back then. I’m glad she still speaks out from time to time about the environment … perhaps if popular singers or movie/TV stars publicized the plight of our planet, it would have more impact on people. Well, that is sad news about the state of the world Tom and very believable. We are enduring this horrible heat wave in June, not August and countries around the world have temperatures far higher than this. We’ll eventually be obliterated by climate change – what a way to go. I hope people think about that fact before bringing more children into the world. Yes, we both care about Earth’s creatures … the goodness in the world.
Inspiring message. Thank you, Tom. Many lessons to be learned from Indigenous people in America and elsewhere. Surely many lessons lost, and languages too. The consequences have been great. I appreciate and admire your responsible and caring choices. Although I do travel by plane on occasion, my day-to-day choices are motivated by a respect for the environment and sustainability. 🐸
Yes, thank you, Michele. And it is so ironic how the current U.S. government is frantically trying to get rid of people “who came here uninvited.” (I’m sure that what’s left of the Native Americans do not feel that the Europeans were all that much “invited.” ) People can rationalize anything. We have to be very careful about what we say and do.
How right you are, Tom! Beautiful snap.
Yes, for sure… thank you, Susi!
You’re welcome!
Nice one.