The Earth is Hiring!

I am reading an amazing, thought provoking book right now,Hope Beneath Our Feet: Restoring Our Place in the Natural World by Martin Keogh. He posed a question to the world, "In a time of environmental crisis, how can we live right now?". The book is a collection of diverse responses to that question.

One of my favorites was written by Paul Hawken, a renowned entrepreneur, visionary environmental activist and author of many books. He shared a commencement address that he created for the Class of 2009 at University of Portland. He was asked to write something that was "direct, naked, taut, honest, passionate, lean, shivering, startling and graceful". He did just that and more.

I can't get through it without crying as it is filled with so much hope, bubbling over with the great potential that exists for all of us, for the planet. It is a recognition of all the good things people are doing around the world, it is a call for action. He states, "There is invisible writing on the back of your diploma...it says: you are brilliant and the earth is hiring. The earth did not send recruiters, instead it sent sunsets, rain, ripe cherries, night-blooming jasmine...and here's the deal: forget that this task of planet saving is not possible in the time required. Don't be put off by people who know what is not possible. Do what needs to be done, and check to see if it was impossible only after you are done."

The last couple of days have been filled with election stories, victories for some, feelings of great loss for others and a complete disconnect for the rest. I am filled with a sense of wonder and curiosity. Change always happens, everyday there are shifts, some not obvious or noted by us. What will this one mean? It may seem like business as usual within our local, state and national governments. Perhaps the same road blocks, same arguments. Perhaps we move forward, perhaps we move backwards, perhaps things come to a pivotal point where we wake up to the need for radical change and collectively make it happen or not.

Regardless of how you feel about the last election and the role of government in our lives, you must know that there is one race that continues on. There are still seats to be filled in the Earth Office. We are all qualified to serve, will you serve the earth with me? Let's enjoy her, respect her, remember our connection with her. Celebrate her, honor her. Walk with her, listen to her, speak with her, speak for her, protect her, nurture her, appreciate her. See her as healthy and well in every way, make sure we are healthy and well in every way. There is no separation. It is time.