The following is part of an ongoing dialogue with the feelings and questions of our time. This month, our Teacher Yvonne McGaughey reflects on “Earth Day Life,” focusing on the impacts which humans can have on the ecosystem, and the importance of developing more reciprocal relationship with Earth.
A twinge of pain alerted me that something had penetrated my foot. I regularly walk barefooted to provide a continuous connection to the direct surface of the earth. A tiny, almost invisible to the naked eye splinter has lodged itself in my foot. This small decomposing piece of tree now transformed to new terrain, miniature needles, and potential probe heads covered the ground, freshly becoming nourishment and cover to the surrounding surface.
I ponder the impact of the decay of the enormity of a giant redwood now decreased to slivers, dust, and soil, even to the extent that it made me pause, stop in my tracks, to remove this little fragment from my foot. But moreover, it allowed me to pause and ponder how our steps impact the many organisms we step over or upon without noting what is beneath our feet. I reflect on Earth Day, it’s origins, and intent. April 22nd was dedicated as Earth Day in 1970. Maybe it was because Earth Day falls just one day before my own birthday or being born in the 70’s but something has always resonated with me about Earth Day – Elementary School posters, catchy one liners, creative ways on how to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. And while it was beautiful to think of how we could somehow make a difference, it felt too idealistic, almost a childlike dream of becoming the president one day.
However, it isn’t just a dream. In my ever-developing growing relationship to the earth, in the belief of reciprocity, a feeling of mutuality of care, it is my love for the more than human world, the gentle stewardship of the land I have been entrusted to be a visitor on. I feel a resonating privilege and recognize the bearing that my presence holds. One less paper plate, a few gallons of water less used, being selective of what biodegradable cleaner I will use, a gaze of awe to my surroundings. Pause.
Just as the small splinter stopped me in my tracks, I, too, am a smaller organism to the whole earth body, am a presence that can also hurt it. But a rain drop or snowflakes also cause me to stop in my tracks to delight, be refreshed, or have joy. Pause.
Chemical elements of carbon dioxide in exchange for oxygen dance around me, within me. Pause. Earth Day may be a designated one day out of the year, but I can pause moment by moment to reflect on each day with the earth, and how to live harmoniously within it. A celebration of my life as I celebrate earth because it sustains life, including mine.
With awe, resonance and gratitude for the gifts of Earth,
Yvonne, Ariana, and the Earthbody Team
NATURE PRACTICE
Stop and Smell the Everything Practice
By Ryan Van Lenning and Kara London
This practice was dreamed up and inspired by the original prompt of our teacher Ryan Van Lenning.
What are some of your favorite scents of Spring time?
Take some time this month to indulge in the sweet, the spicy, the pungent, and the subtle scents of Spring. Go for a “Stop and Smell the Everything” walk and take some time to really breathe it all in deeply. Notice the effects that scents have on your emotions, the sensations of the body, or ties to memory. Do the scents inspire any movement or gesture of gratitude? Can you pull these scents into mind during your day?
HOPEFUL ACTIVISM
Join us in recognizing these wins for Indigenous people and the Earth!
Gaza Medical Relief Kits with Thrifty Medical Supply – The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 33,000, with more than 75,000 Palestinians wounded, and their healthcare system has been severely impacted. Join us in making a difference by purchasing medical relief kits to help those in need. These kits will include wound care and surgical supplies, respiratory and orthopedic equipment, antiseptics and medications. Every kit purchased makes a direct impact on lives in this worsening humanitarian crisis. Thrifty Medical Supply (a Palestinian owned organization based in Redwood City, CA) has partnered with U.S. physicians traveling to Gaza on medical missions being organized by the World Health Organization and Eyewitness Palestine, in order to help supply vital medical equipment.
Protect Yourself from Climate Change Myths – In a video titled “The climate lies you’ll hear this year” from Climate Scientist and Educator Simon Clark, learn about the tactics that politicians, the oil industry, and others will be using, especially as we prepare for a major election cycle across the globe. The good news? Lots of climate change solutions actually save us money, there are helpful resources out there debunking the false narrative around climate change, and heat pumps work! In this video Simon and experts, activists, and communicators dissect some of the lies you’ll hear, and prebunk some misleading statements. Learn some of the essential steps you can utilize in challenging climate denialism, as well.
POETRY AND INSPIRATION
Rise by Shuína Skó
As published in Big Love – mo stinta:
Poetry Honoring Indigenous Resiliency
I am Indigenous
I am also Earth
I am seed
I am sun
and every morning I rise
my light gives life
not to myself
but to those growing
my light
is a piece of their wellness
I am growing
your light
a piece of my wellness
your kindness
a piece of my healing
your understanding
a piece of my forgiving
I am a descendent of a vibrant garden
where bear and coyote would rest in
where more than enough was common
where lack wasn’t a reality yet
where trauma wasn’t a memory yet
where white supremecist
settler colonialists did not exist yet
where every part of the garden
regardless of color, age, gender, or other
held a valuable role
and the more diverse the garden
the more beautiful in whole
I am deeply rooted
I am deeply wounded
I am thriving flower ancestor
turned leaves wilted
I am learning how to grow again
because for the last 500 years
oppression has been shading Native gardens
putting borders up to contain them
trimming their many flower children
to prevent pollination of tribal traditions
I am Indigenous
I am also earth
my ancestors’ bones turned rich soil
I am seed
carrier of my ancient songs, stories and ceremony
I am sun
a bright light penetrating patriarchal darkness
healing energy to those with wilting leaves
every time I rise, I bring hope
and restoration of vibrant culture with me
Shuína Skó is a Two-Spirit author, veteran, Indigenous rights activist, and storyteller who shares story through spoken word poetry. Shuína’s poetry takes us on a creative journey that explores the complexities and vibrancy of the Indigenous experience and 2sLGBTQ+ community. When it comes to pronouns Shuína primarily uses “she” or “they,” however prefer to be identified by their name as gender pronouns are not commonly used in Shuína’s Indigenous language.
Shuína Skó is an internationally known self-published author of several poetry books that have been purchased throughout Turtle Island (North America) and in Europe. These books contain stories of the intergenerational impacts of trauma, as well as the beautiful relationship Indigenous peoples have with Mother Earth. Shuína also writes about being Two-Spirit, their journey to fully embracing all of their identity, Indigenous resiliency, matriarchy, and harms associated with heteronormativity. The teachings Shuína offers are rooted in rich cultural values and practices that are from an ewksiknii (Klamath) perspective.
You can read more about Shuína Skó’s work at their website, https://www.shuinasko.com/
Thank you for reading! We welcome your comments and questions. Contact EBI: earthbodyinstitute@gmail.com.
We acknowledge that The Earthbody Institute is located in Huchiun, in unceded Lisjan territory, now known as Oakland. We honor and support the ancestors and present Lisjan people. We encourage you to learn more and make a donation to support the return of their land and culture.