No Mistakes

The semester is drawing to a close. Only five more school days until graduation! After that, it'll be onwards and upwards for me. I'll start at the Human Services program at UAA in the fall and go from there to achieve great things for others.
The important thing to remember as a school year ends is that the lessons you learn when you are young are the ones that shape you. Remember the good and the bad, because they are a part of you and a part of the legacy you will leave behind.
This semester, I was exposed to a variety of new ideas and ideals which have opened my eyes and heart to new perspectives. My Honors course was a big part of this opening. Looking back, this semester was one in which I grew as a human being. Being exposed to the barrage of ideas from my brilliant classmates and professor was a beautiful experience that I will always cherish. Knowing that there are people out there with such pure minds and hearts, with such ideas and hopes, makes me happy for the human race.
So here is a thank you to every voice I heard this semester. I can't wait to hear about all the great achievements and accomplishments that will befall all of you.
This isn't an end. This is a beginning. Every new day should be treated like a new beginning, because it is.

As Anne Shirley once said, "Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it."

Think About It

A lot of people think the world owes them somethings. This isn't an obvious belief. I've never seen anyone running down the street, screaming at the world to hand over their dues. However, it's a part of the psyche of today's society. This psyche has lead to this ingrained idea that good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people. That's simply not the case (The exception being the mindset of "good" and "bad" people. Mindset and perspective is everything). I'm going to let you in on a secret.

The world owes you nothing.

After all, what have you done for the world? That is the real question. The concern should not be over what the world owes you, but over what you owe the world. Be kind to the planet that houses you. At this point, we only have one. Not only should you be kind to the planet, but be kind to her children, be they four-legged, two-legged, or finned. 

Try this perspective on for size: What if the world was not made to take care of you? What if you were made to take care of the world?

Think about it. 

You're Right

In my own life, quite recently, I experienced an example of change. I experienced how quickly life can turn upside down, with no apparent warning. There is no rhyme or reason to the rhythm of life. The faster one realizes that one is simply a passenger on the randomly venturing ship of life, the more peace one will find.
The important thing to realize is this. Change happens quickly. There are two ways to look at this. You can look at it and say "Change happens quickly, without any of my input. No matter what I say or do, change will happen." Or, you can look at it and say "I want to guide the change."
Take control of the rudder of your life. You cannot stop change from happening, for it is the very nature of the world. Stationary is not in the vocabulary of Mother Earth.
In order to make any positive impact on the world, the most important thing to do is to embrace change and work. Work to make the change positive, no matter what it may be.

Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right. --Henry Ford

Change

Some people think that the world is bad. That there is something inherently wrong with Earth. Some people only see the bad, the negative, the ugly. What kind of a way to live is that?
I challenge each reader of this post to see the good. See the positive. After all, why complain when you can make a change? Gandhi said, Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Don't complain. Don't rant about how the world is going downhill and how things used to be better. Instead, look for a place where you can make a positive change. Be the change.

A Walk in Nature

The Fable Continues

     Quite refreshed, the Lion thanked the Monkey sincerely and renewed his journey within the hour. Although the lesson of the Monkey taxed his mind heavily, he decided to continue on towards the mountain to seek the advice of the sage. The sage would, of course, have some advice on the path that the Lion must now take. Perhaps dominion over all the creatures was outlandish, but surely he could learn how to fulfill his destiny, whatever that was.  The sun rose and set five times more before the Lion encountered a wide rushing river. Having been born on the plains and having lived there all his life, the Lion had never bothered to learn how to swim. The river was far too wide and powerful to walk across, and this continued for miles, it appeared. A little farther south, the river widened into sort of lake before quickening again. The Lion wandered down to this area and laid down beside the bank to think for a while. He drank from the river, quenching his thirst until he could drink no more. Resting on the bank of the water, the Lion began to wonder how he would possibly be able to cross this obstacle.

     As the moon rose and illuminated the looming mountain with a silky glow, ripples began to appear in the pool. They grew in size and intensity until a curious Fish’s head poked out of the water. With round blue eyes, the huge silver-scaled Fish, nearly the size of the Lion, regarded the beast who lay before him.

     “What is it that you seek, Lion?” queried the Fish.

     “I seek to gain an audience with the sage who lives on the mountaintop! But I have no way to cross this mighty river.” After his experience with the Monkey, the Lion was careful not to make the same mistake twice. He asked with utmost politeness, “Have you any ideas of how I am to cross?”

     “I’m afraid I haven’t any idea!” the Fish replied. “What is it that you hope to learn from this sage?”

     “I wish to learn from him what my destiny must be.” A hint of arrogance intruded upon the Lion’s voice. “Surely, a creature such as myself must have a destiny!”

     “What about myself, Lion? Must a Fish have a destiny?”

     “I don’t suppose that it must. A Fish is only a Fish. A Fish is not a Lion. Certainly, a Lion must have a destiny.”

     “And why is that? What is it that a Lion has that a Fish does not?” burbled the Fish.

     “A Lion has power! A Lion is grand, a King of whatever he chooses! A Lion is a mighty beast.”

     “Tell me, Lion, why is it that you cannot continue your journey?”

     “I’ve already told you: I cannot swim!”

     “A Fish can swim. A Fish, such as myself, has no trouble crossing this river.”

     The Lion sputtered at this. He tried to make an argument, but nothing came to his mind.

     “Here is a lesson for you, Lion. Do not regard yourself as mightier than another, for not all powers are equal. Perhaps you are bigger than I, and stronger than I. But your power has no weight in my world. Should you try to enter my world, you would surely drown.  Lion, you must learn to live in harmony with the creatures around you. Do not regard yourself as mightier, but neither should you regard yourself as weaker. There is no more or less to be seen in Nature. Each of us creatures is simply a piece in the puzzle. Without any one of the pieces, the puzzle is a ruin.”

     With this, the Fish disappeared into the depths of the water, leaving the Lion to ponder in his own mind. Morning came eventually, although it seemed to the Lion that ages passed before the sun peered down with its singular fiery eye. With the rise of the sun, the Lion staggered to his feet and dipped his face once more into the cool refreshing water. The Fish poked his head up from the depths again.

     “Do you still intend to continue seeking the sage, Lion?” asked the Fish.

     “No, Fish. I believe I will return home to my plain. A Lion is meant to do what a Lion is meant to do, and that is what I have been doing since I was a cub. Thank you, Fish.”

     “Never forget what you have learned on this journey. Remember that the journey is almost always more important than any destination. Be content to be a Lion and live a happy life.”

     The Lion began the journey back to the plains that he called home. With every step, the voices of the wise Monkey and Fish echoed in his fuzzy ears. They were right; the peace that comes with knowledge filled the Lion. As he wandered back towards his life and family, night began to fall, and he moved to the side of the path to take shelter for the night. Beneath the cover of a vine-covered tree, the Lion settled down and rested his giant head upon his paws. His eyes fluttered shut but only for a half second. A stealthy noise whispered a few feet away and woke the sleepy Lion. He rose again and looked around, blinking the sleep from his eyes.

     “Who goes there?” grunted the Lion.

     “It is me, the Fox,” came the answer.

     “What is it that you want, Fox? It is late, and I am trying to sleep.”

     “I hear you are seeking dominion over the earth, Lion. I wish to align myself with you. Too long have creatures such as us submitted to equality. We were meant to rule. With my cleverness and your strength, Lion, we could be mighty.”

     “No, Fox, I am no longer on that path. I have seen the error of that way of life; it is no longer for me.”

     The Fox smiled gently and took another dainty step towards the Lion. “Listen to me, friend. We are two of a kind. Together, think of what we could achieve.”

     The Lion roared angrily. “Leave me, Fox. I will not join you. Leave me to sleep.” He roared again and leapt at the Fox.

     With a yelp, the Fox scurried away into the night, and the Lion settled down to sleep again.

     With the morning, the Lion rose. He resumed his journey back home and walked for several days before finding himself among his fellow Lions once again.

     One of his fellows asked him: “Did you find what you were seeking?”

     The Lion smiled. “Yes,” he said. “I did.”

     

A Lion and a Monkey

     Once upon a time, when the earth was young and the animals were still forming themselves, the lands were wild, free and unrestrained. There was nothing and nobody to reign over the animals, who existed mostly as friends and fellows. They wandered the countryside and the meadows and the forests, searching for meaning to their lives. As none of them had found this elusive meaning, there was no way for them to conflict. Harmony was the ruling principle. Peace was the goddess of this earth, watching over the children of nature with a watchful eye and a forgiving heart. Life was good. That was the unanimous feeling among those who lived.

     However, as is wont to happen, this was not to be forever. This peace could not continue, for it is not the way of the world to exist on one plane. Change is the spirit of nature, and never can nature turn its back on its spirit. It so happened that living as equals was not satisfying for each other the animals. The mighty Lion wondered why he should lower himself to the level of the antelope. He was large and strong. His claws were sharp, and his teeth glistened. Whereas he was worthy of kingdom, the antelope was worthy only to be his servant. To lie in the dust at his paws and submit to his rule. This was the mindset of the Lion, and as he was lying lazily, basking in the glory of himself and of the sunlight, he began to wonder how to put this plan into action.

     Now, far into the distance, there was a mountain. This mountain was many many miles away, barely visible from the plain that the Lion called home. Shrouded in fog, this mountain was home to a very wise sage, who was rumored to know the secrets of life and the universe. This sage had not been seen for many a decade; he was retired, it was said. No longer did he concern himself with the dealings of the lowly animals, who wandered the plains and the forests and the meadows, looking for meaning to their lives. It was unknown why this grand sage had quit the world and left behind the mortals who dwelt below. All that was known was that he had not been even glimpsed in many generations. Every so often, on the top of that tallest mountain, the whispering smoke of a campfire could be spotted by only those with the most keen eyes. It was by that way that it was known that the sage lived on, although he lived apart from the creatures he had once walked among.

     “No matter,” thought the great Lion. “I am a notch above the rest. If only I journey to the sage, he will grant me an audience and tell me how to gain dominion over the animals.” And so it was that the Lion began to hatch his plan. King of the Beasts? That was not title enough. He sought more, much more. He would not stop until he had it. The very next day, the Lion rose from his slumber, stretched his paws to welcome the day, and began his journey.

     The mountain loomed ahead, terrible and forbidding, but the Lion paid no mind to this. He was on his way to his destiny. Many days passed as he plodded ever forwards towards the retired sage. He walked the plains, the forests, and the jungles. Every step took him closer, but still he was far away and he was becoming tired. He stepped off the path and settled down into the soft grass on the side of the road. A big tree, covered in thorns, offered shelter against the scolding sunlight. Before long, the Lion was asleep, curled up like a kitten and gently snoring. After a while, the Lion awoke and found himself consumed with an unbearable thirst. He looked around, and there was no stream, no lake, no river as far as his sharp eyes could see. The thirst was burning his throat; he was absolutely parched. Gazing up at the thorn covered tree, the Lion saw that the branches were heavily laden with fat juicy papayas. His mouth watered with longing. If only he could climb the thorny tree, his thirst would be quenched. However, if he attempted the climb, he’d be plucking thorns from the soft pads of his paws for weeks! The Lion paced back and forth, in and out of the shade, trembling with the weight of his decision.

     Suddenly, a flash of movement, half-hidden in the multitude of branches, caught the Lion’s eye. A furry little creature with a long tail and a laughing smile gazed fearlessly down at the Lion with big brown eyes.

     “What is it you seek, mighty Lion?” chuckled the Monkey.

     “I want one of your papayas,” roared the Lion. “Throw one down to me, at once!”

     The Monkey simply regarded the Lion, standing arrogantly at the foot of the tree, completely unaware that he had no power in this situation. “And what if I refuse?”

     “Then you shall face my fury!” With this, the Lion reared up on his back paws and let forth a growl that shook the tree from the tips of the leaves to the ends of the roots. He put his forepaws on the bark of the tree, intending to push it over or die trying. Surprised, he yelped in pain as the thorns of the tree struck at the flesh of his vulnerable paws.

     “You will have to try another tactic, Lion, if you wish to receive one of my papayas!”

     Sulking, the Lion replied, “What did you have in mind, Monkey?”

     “What if you tried asking nicely?”

      The Lion scoffed and began to wander away in search of another source of water. With every step he took, the monster in his throat screamed louder for water. His body began to tremble, and spots began to dance in his eyes. His paws were aching. His body prayed for rest. He took a final step before collapsing in the dirt, merely feet away from the thorny tree and its mischievous occupant. The last sight to grace his eyes was a glimpse of the Monkey, scurrying towards him with a worried look weighting his brow.

     When the Lion finally regained consciousness, the Monkey was standing over him, even though it was obvious by the sun that many hours had passed. The Monkey offered him the juice of a papaya, and the Lion gracelessly slurped it down as quickly as he could.

     “Monkey, I disrespected you terribly. Why do you help me now?”

     “Because, Lion, I have the opportunity to teach you a lesson today. Remember this, even if you remember nothing else of this experience. We were never meant to lord dominion over each other, because none of us has absolute power. You may have been King upon the plains that you call home, but see how your power was useless when you desired my papayas? Remember this, Lion. Live at one with your fellow creatures, or do not live at all. The creatures of the world must either stand together or they will be doomed to die alone.”

Part Two

     The effects of mankind upon his host planet are varied and many. Further, the negative effects of mankind upon his host planet are varied and many. Is an example really necessary to prove that claim? Any small child can look out at the world around her and see the trash that litters the streets. Only by living under a rock could one conceivably hide from the facts. Mankind has not been gentle upon the earth.

     This brings me back to the question at hand: What is wrong with the world? Surely, the answer is “Mankind”. Although mankind has only utilized his skill just as any other creature would, he is still the problem.

     In a surprising turn of events, I would like to submit the refreshing rebuttal that we are not the problem.  The problem is our attitude about ourselves. When we look at the problems of the world, who is always the culprit? Lions and tigers and bears? Oh my, of course not. We, human beings, are the culprits. The facts will back me up: humanity is having a negative effect on the planet.

     When we look at the problems of the world, what is the go to solution? The most common answer that I am aware of is that humans should be less involved. We are bad people; thus, we need to reduce our impact.

     It is this attitude that is stopping us from solving the problem. Because we see ourselves as the problem, it is impossible to see ourselves as the solution. In order to change the world, in order to make sure that this planet will be around for our children and our children’s children, we need to see ourselves as the solution.

     Nothing will change unless this attitude changes. Focusing on the negative, ignoring the silver lining, denying the possibilities, will never lead to advancement. How many achievements have been accomplished by those who believe themselves unworthy of their goals? Did the Wright brothers propel humanity into the skies with the belief that they were fundamentally unable to fly?

     We are prisoners on this broken planet, and our shackles and chains are the thought that we are a problem. Scientists and the media drill this into our heads: humanity is a poison. Our poison is seeping into the planet and destroying it.

     Just as the story Hitler told was enacted by the Germans, so is this story taken to heart. We are the problem because we are told we are the problem and because we are enacting that particular story. Obviously, there is truth to this story; every story hides some drop of reality. Obviously, there is a basis of truth to the idea that humankind has not been so kind to its host.

     However, as long as we tell ourselves this, the longer it shall be perpetuated. The story that is whispered into our ears is the story that dictates our actions.  How can we ever become a solution when the Mother Culture’s cries of our unworthiness are echoing from every square inch of the land and sky?

     We have as much right to this planet as any other creature. Neither the giraffe nor the hamster nor the badger would be a better conservator than we have shown ourselves to be.  Surely, we have not succeeded, but neither have we failed. 

     It’s time to turn the page, move on to the next chapter, and never forget the last. The last chapter in our history has shown what we are capable of. The next chapter will show us who we are.

     Are we saviors? Are we heroes? Or will we sit idly by and wallow under the smothering “knowledge” that we are the problem?

     It’s time to turn to the next story, the one that wrote us as victors and heroes. Only by seeing ourselves as the solution will we ever become the solution. This story is still being written, but it is time to ask ourselves the burning question.

     Will the protagonists be ready?

Part One

     What is wrong with the world?

     How many thousands of times has that question been asked and answered over the ages? Most frequently, the answer is “Man”. Man broke free from his place in the slime, alongside the crawling and creeping creatures, and, in doing so, he broke free from the natural order of things. He tipped the scale, and the world is dying because of it. The ice caps are melting; endangered species are disappearing; chaos is rampant. Why? Because Man was not content to lay in the slime.     

     Who can dispute that the world ran smoothly for millions of years before the appearance of the first Homo Sapiens. The birds and the animals and the plants fulfilled their nature, existed in their cycles, thriving and perpetuating. Every creature was in its place, happy to be a part of the system.

     However, there came a day when one creature was not so happy. This creature, proud and innovative, wondered why he should crawl in the slime alongside those who slithered and crept along. He pulled himself up and surveyed the land around him and, contrary to popular belief, it was not good. It was not good at all. In fact, it was so far from good, that man set forth the conquer the world that had nourished him for so long. No more was he satisfied to be ruled by nature. No longer would he subject himself to the will of the gods. The world around this creature—let’s call him Man—was unfit to support him. Man began to settle the world, justifying this by calling his mission a mission to bring order.  For, of course, the natural order of things had been in place for too long. Never mind that this order had kept the planet in harmony for ages.

     The world resisted, as was in its nature. It fought Man at every turn, sending hail to beat his crops down, sending droughts to starve his people, sending wild animals to stalk his children. At each turn, Man fought back, for it was in his nature to persevere. Eventually, Man was able to tame this wild landscape.

     Reading this account, one might sit back and sigh, wondering what early Man’s problem was. Why did he feel the need to fight the world? Why could he not sit back and enjoy the bounty before him?

     Would one criticize the nature of a tiger? Would one look down upon the squirrel for acting as a squirrel does? Of course not. So why is it acceptable to criticize Man, saying that he was not within his rights to better his situation? If the tiger or the squirrel had had the ability or access to the resources necessary to rise above the other animals and protect his young, making sure that never again would they endure hunger or cold or preventable death, can one say with any certainty that the tiger or the squirrel would not seize that opportunity firmly, with both paws, and ride it to the top of the food chain?

     We are animals. The tigers of the savannah and the squirrels of the trees are our brethren. Even modern science backs this up, showing the huge amount of genetic background we have in common with our furry brothers and sisters. We, as animals, are subject to instinct. What is the strongest instinct ingrained in any creature of the land, sea, or sky? The instinct to survive.

     Early Man did only as his instincts demanded of him when he rose from the sludge and claimed dominion over the earth. He did not take this course with a smile and a laugh, giddy with the thought of dominating his fellow creatures. Neither power nor pursuit of glory nor divine intervention motivated Man to seek his current place in the world. Survival is the only goal, and early Man just happened to be the first creature of the slime to see the most efficient way.  Thusly, Man fought and clawed and struggled to the top of the food chain, with the intention of never watching his children starve before him, or fight another animal for a place in the chain, or freeze to death in the cold.

     Man has neither the claws of the tiger or the quickness of the squirrel or the size of the elephant. What does he have? He has his mind. He has his ability to fashion tools and implement them. He has the initiative to farm the foods he wants and preserve them for a long winter.  Just as the tiger uses his claws and the squirrel uses his speed and the elephant uses his size, Man used his mind to give his offspring the greatest chance of survival. The world is harsh. Who but a fool would not do what he could to better his odds?

Stay tuned for Part Two

Viva la Evolucion!

     It’s impossible to denounce the fact that the quality of life on this particular planet is somewhat less than ideal. There are areas of the world where simply belonging to a certain gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation can get you killed. There are areas of the world where the air is sometimes too filthy to breathe. There are areas of the world where people are dying because they don’t have anything to eat.

     If you can imagine it, if you can wrap your mind around this concept, there are areas of the world where just the opposite is occurring. There are places where food is thrown out and sent away to rot because people are too full to eat it. There are places where the air is clean. Where a man or a woman can walk down a street and feel reasonably confident that no one will hurt them that day, based on the color of their skin or the God they worship.

     Obviously, we, as humans, are doing something wrong. In Ishmael, it is suggested that humankind would do well to abandon this lifestyle and revert to a more tribal way of life. A way of life in harmony with the planet, wherein we would live as equals alongside the butterflies and tigers and goldfish.  After all, Ishmael asserts, humankind lived in harmony with Earth and all her inhabitants for billions of years. It is only in recent history that the planet has been “ruined”.

     At first, that seems like a valid point. Tribalism worked splendidly! Our evolution as social creatures is what triggered this insanity.

     Key word: Evolution.  Every creature on this planet, from slugs to human beings, is engineered to evolve. It is in our nature.

     Should we really revert back to tribalism? Or would that be stunting our evolution? Is it even conceivable that this race could evolve so far and then suddenly regress in such a way?

     Personally, I do not believe this is a viable plan of action. However, it is possible to keep evolving. That, after all, is the hallmark of humanity: progress. We are always moving forward.

      It is conceivable to meet Ishmael halfway, to continue with this forward momentum, but to turn ever so slightly onto a path that will lead us, once again, to harmony with the planet. With every innovation that we make, it becomes easier and easier to “go green”.  Electric cars, solar panels, biodegradable materials. Each of those and more make it imaginable that one day, humans will not be the troublesome tenants of Mother Earth that we are today.

     Tribalism did work well, for a very long time. But the thing to remember is this. It worked. Past tense. It is the nature of every creature to evolve; that is impossible to deny. Our evolution was to be expected.

     The goal at this point should be to continue evolving, at a faster and more focused pace. In my eyes, it simply isn’t feasible to move backwards. The past is the past, and it can never be the future.

     Moving forwards, though? It’s in our nature. 

*The picture of the monkey was taken from: www.mrwallpaper.com*

Planting the Metaphor

Hi! My name is Aimee. This blog is about saving the world.

Saving the world?

     I recently read the book "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn; I honestly recommend it to every person on the planet. In fact, I sincerely wish that a copy of this book was issued to each and every infant at birth. World peace might actually be a reality in that case. Reading Ishmael opened my eyes to things I had never previously considered. Topics from man's purpose on this planet to the use of metaphor within the Bible to modern mythology in our "Taker" culture made it nearly impossible for me to put this book down.

     But enough raving. It's a good book. I recommend it.

     As I already mentioned, the point of this blog is to save the world. It's going to cover a wide range of topics, as inspired by the world around me, but mainly influenced by discussions in my Honors class.

"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree." --Martin Luther.

     Tomorrow, the world may indeed go to pieces. But today, I'm planting this metaphoric apple tree.