Hope for a New World

Happy Earth Day! 
Not only is there a new moon today, it happens to be the fiftieth anniversary of Earth Day as well.   That makes this particular Earth Day rather special, especially because it's landed smack in the middle of the covid-19 debacle that the whole world must now endure.  I can't dismiss that bit of synchronicity.  Of course I find it significant. 

The confluence of  1.) a special anniversary on 2.) a new moon of  3.) a day dedicated to Mother Earth during 4.) a world wide crisis - is a reminder to watch how we treat the Earth that sustains us.   Mother Nature is creating a true to life myth rife with metaphor and meaning.  Myths are lessons expressed in the form of grand stories, replete with gods and mortals, heroes and adversaries.  And this Earth Day story we're currently acting out has it all.
Myths tell tales about the loss and restoration of balance in the natural order of things.  The consequences of our mistreatment of Mother Nature are quite obvious right now.  But so were the all the signs leading up to this moment.  Yet we're shocked and surprised at the ferocity of  Earth's reprisal for our mindless actions as we continue to exploit her for all she's worth.  And she's worth a lot.  In fact, she's worth everything we need in order to survive.
Last year we watched in horror as the president of Brazil deliberately set fire to the lungs of the planet in the Amazon to allow illegal mining and cattle grazing.  It's a tragic irony that the myriad plant life of the Amazon rainforest contains potential cures for our most virulent diseases, including the coronavirus. 

While the inferno still raged in the Amazon, our attention turned to the bushfires in Australia.  After months of horrific holocausts  on two continents, the fires abated for a while.  But there was no time for a collective sigh of relief; along came the coronavirus, which had no regard for manmade borders.  It took on the world.
The myth that is unfolding is perfect in content and form.  Mother Earth can write one hell of a story.  Covid-19 attacks the upper respiratory tract.  The most severe cases that lead to death are caused by acute pneumonia, which is an inflammation of the lungs.  If that isn't retributive justice on a Biblical scale, I don't know what is.  It's also a perfect metaphor.  Nature is surely the greatest poet of all.
There is good news, however.  Nature can keep this world in balance as long as we work with her; not against her.  Instead, we've been selfish and greedy, and even had the hubris to try and "conquer" her.  Conquering anything  entails conflict and destruction.  And the sin of greed consumes like a fire out of control, just as the deadly disease that was once called consumption destroys the lungs.
Now we've been given time to be still and quiet, and reflect upon Mother Earth's hard lesson.  Let's pray we'll have learned it well by the time we come out the other side of all this.  Nature is perfectly willing to share all that she has to offer.  As long as we act in accordance with her laws, she will allow us to harness her bounty.
So mote it be.
- g.p.

Boredom

If the worst thing I have to complain about is boredom, then I must be blessed.  And I am - both bored and blessed.
So I'm posting a picture nobody cares about except me, because I painted it, and I'm not a painter.  But it was something to do.  Posting it on my little web was also something to do.  As was photographing it, which I wouldn't normally do, but I was bored and needed something to do.
I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for covid-19. 
Enough said.

 g.p.