One can’t help but feel the irony that the 50th anniversary of Earth Day will not be celebrated with massive crowds and demonstrations like the first and subsequent celebrations of the day. Instead, it will be observed individually and virtually via internet. Is Mother Earth sending us a message? Are we listening?
We barely understand the complexities of our Earth, its ecosystems, all inter-woven with a long history of evolution. Gaia is a system of refined checks and balances with the ultimate goal of endless renewal and expression. How blessed we are to be a witness to the daily miracle of life on Earth!
To date, we have taken much from our Mother, with little thought of what we owe Her in return. Our impact has become so cumbersome, that those delicate checks and balances are in peril. Let’s face it, we NEED the Earth, She does not need us. We are currently being shown just how powerful She is, as a tiny, microscopic life form flies around the planet, culling the human herd.
It is not vindictive, it is the way of life on this planet. Look back throughout history, and we can see plenty of proof that this is so. It is easy for us to accept lions eating the weak and old wildebeests on the Serengeti, or wolves culling the elk herds of Yellowstone, yet we cannot accept that the same principle is at work with our own human herd. Herein lies the error of our mindset– we have thought ourselves above Nature, that it was something we controlled and not the other way around.
So perhaps we can take this warning as a lesson to deeply consider our role as stewards of this planet. How will we change? What can we each individually do to lessen our footprint, to live on this planet so that all creatures who share it can live and prosper in harmony?
For more information: https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2020/
Eliza Waters 
Reblogged this on Blue Dragon Journal and commented:
The birds, butterflies, rabbits, and lizards are celebrating… I see lots on my walks.
Thank you, Eliza!
I love how thought provoking your post is, Eliza. It is a day for quiet reflection.
Thank you kindly, Dawn. x
I’ve been having many of the same thoughts, Eliza. We have ignored warnings of pandemic the same way we have ignored warnings of climate change. We need to pay attention…to something other than the stock market.
Agreed! Thanks, Mic.
Wise words friend
Thank you ❤
Well said dear Eliza. There is much to wake up to … before it is too late. Keep sharing Gaia’s truth. 💛
Thank you, Val. So true, I hope so, too!
Well said!
Thank you, Kim!
All right! This post and the fabulous pictures get a Maine “Wowsah!”
🙂 Thanks, Laurie. Happy Earth Day!
No more destructions…
Indeed, thank you, Athira.
🙂
Beautifully stated, Eliza! I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that mankind is getting its comeuppance, regardless of what’s responsible for kicking off this pandemic.
Thank you, Kris! It’s a wake-up call, for sure. I hope we don’t squander the opportunity.
Beautiful understanding and wisdom Eliza! May we all see the abundance we have and honour every step as sacred on this earth. 🙏🏻💚
Well said, Karen. May it be so! ❤
Amen. Well said, Eliza.
Thank you, Sandy!
My pleasure.
The wild creatures are partying outdoors without us. Happy for them. Sad we still haven’t woken up.
I know, I’m sure they don’t miss us at all. I sure hope enough of us heed the warnings, it is getting dire, sad to say.
A deeply thoughtful and timely comment, Eliza. Well expressed thoughts such as yours move us towards the intricacies of nature that we trample over or ignore at our peril. This is a good time for reflection and to renew our appreciation of our environment. The more ‘inward looking’ Earth Day this year may prove to be a sober yet useful one.
Thank you, Anne. I certainly hope so. We need a positive change towards greater ecological balance.
Wise words Eliza. We humans only start sitting up and paying attention when disasters happen. Yes, may we be satisfied with what we have – more than enough, instead of grabbing more and more of what we do not need. May we see our home as sacred and honor and protect it instead of decimating it through our greed.
Thank you– you nailed it, human greed is pushing the planet beyond the tipping point. Thanks for your visit!
I appreciate your thoughts here, Eliza, and your wonderful photographs. Totally agree, except perhaps with the idea that we’re stewards of the earth. Maybe we act as though that’s our role, but it might be time to rethink that.
Thank you, Audrey. We need to rethink our roles for sure. Evolve or perish!
Great Images! Your words are so very true Eliza, I have the same thoughts frequently.
Thank you, Karen. Much appreciated!
Very wise words – and beautiful photographs. I feel a little ashamed that I did not remember it was Earth Day yesterday (we are now the 22nd). Thank you for reminding me.
Thank you, Cathy. For gardeners, every day is Earth Day. ❤
Well said Eliza, well said!!!
Thank you, Cindy!
Beautiful images and wise words Eliza
Thank you, Karina.
Good post, Eliza, and it is hard to believe we have reached that milestone. I was out working in the yard and noticed a truck in the neighborhood next door. I looked up, and it was one of those many companies providing lawn spraying that kills everything, good and bad. I thought to myself how interesting it was that it is an ‘essential’ business. I think Mother Earth might disagree.
Thank you, Judy. We can only hope for a greater awakening to make the changes that are needed to attain balance. The road may be a long one, but it doesn’t have to be.
Yes, a good reminder of Nature’s realities & our place among the rest….
Thank you, Treah. 🙂
Eliza, thanks for the very thoughtful post. Earth/nature is indeed sending us humans a message and we do need to listen. Happy Earth day 2020.
Thank you, glad you liked it. Let’s hope we have a great collective awakening, well overdue.
A beautiful and thoughtful post, Eliza. Thank you for highlighting what is obvious, yet challenging, to watch. Well done.
Many thanks, Carrie! ❤
An important message and inspirational photos!
Thanks much, Allison!
Very nice Eliza! Beautiful series of images!
Thank you very much, Reed!
Beautiful images and words Eliza! The lockdown has given us cleaner air to breathe, litter-free parks and beaches and the wildlife is coming closer now the noise has gone. It shows us what an enormous difference less travel and tourism can make and I hope we move forward from here in a more sustainable way. Happy Earth Day to you too! 💚 xxx
Thank you, Xenia. My thoughts as well. The collective needs to scale back its vast energy consumption and put the Earth ahead of our greedy appetites. I haven’t missed the vehicle and plane traffic at all!
Thanks for those beautiful images. It will be interesting to see if people come out of this grand confinement changed and if yes, how long it will last before we get back to our bad habits. I am not too hopeful that we will draw lessons from this situation; everyone will be too busy trying to survive the economic downturn. Certainly, lots to thinking about these days. (Suzanne)
Thank you, Suzanne. I have hopes, but humans are pretty self-centered, not realizing the impact their extravagance has on the planet. Time will tell.
I have been calling the pandemic Nature’s Jubilee. Happy Earth Day
Thank you, Flower. Nature is getting a nice respite.
Happy Earth Day Eliza!
Thank you, Yvonne!
You speak truth, Eliza. I was just saying just about the very same, that humankind in general have thought and acted as though they are above and more powerful then Mother is, when only the opposite is true. Does know one study history to understand the perils that exist this present day, and I am not talking virus. May those who can make lasting change do so as they witness our airs clean fresh and pure. We can only HOPE. Happy Earth Day to you!! xo
Thank you, Amy. Hope, vision and action. 🙂
I love how respectful are your thoughts towards Her. I wish people would take care of the beautiful Mother Nature as much as She takes care of us. Happy Earth Day! May it be every day.
Gracias, Florencia. 🙂
Your photos are beautiful Eliza. An important message as this year’s Earth Day gets forgotten amongst the news and hysteria of these days.
Thank you, Cathy. A cause close to my heart. ❤
Happy Earth Day! Let’s hope that, when we go back to normal, we don’t go back to normal.
Thank you! One can only hope!
Very thoughtful post, Eliza. And your photos are wonderful!
Thank you very much, Belinda!
The irony of ‘celebrating’ Earth Day, by leaving Her alone.
Indeed – the best gift we can give.
Well said. This bit resonated more than most – ‘Let’s face it, we NEED the Earth, She does not need us.’
Thank you, Susan. We’ve taken Her for granted, far too long.
Wonderful post, Eliza! Loving all your photos in celebration! 🙂
Thanks much, Pete!
Are we listening? Some of us. But Mother Earth has had it with the rest of us. Thanks for your thoughtful words. I planted some herbs today, walked barefoot in my grass and gave thanks to Mother Nature for putting up with us.
Beautiful way of honoring our Mother, Nshami. Thanks for your thoughtful response and I apologize for the delay in my reply, it seems WP has been hiding comments from the Reader and only just found them on my post.
Very thoughtful words, very beautiful images. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Gary!
Beautiful photos, Eliza. And recently I have had similar thoughts, going outside into all that beauty and feeling that it was incongruous with what was happening, then realizing, no, nature is nature.
Thank you, Lisa. Sorry for the delay in my reply, WP has been dropping comments from the Reader, so I missed quite a few.
I’ve had the same problem. Not sure what’s going on.
This is a lovely and on point post, Eliza. I agree…the Earth doesn’t need us and would probably rebound from our presence with gusto should we disappear. That recognized we should do all we can to allow that rebound without the damage we do on a daily basis. It’s our only home and should be honored as such.
So true, thanks, Steve. Let’s hope we find the way and do what needs to be done.
I’ll try to stay optimistic until November. Then we’ll see.
I heard on NPR that Millennials’ interest in politics and the fall election is increasing, mainly because of their dissatisfaction with DT and the status quo. We need everyone to come out to vote!
Yes we do. I hope those disappointed Bernie supporters realize how important it is that they vote too.
A lovely post. We worry so much about destroying our beautiful planet but ultimately I think we will destroy ourselves, the planet will be fine and in a much better shape when we are gone. Your photos are always amazing.
Thank you very much, Liz. My thoughts run along similar lines.
Beautifully written and your photos are stunning, Eliza! I got to see/read this yesterday but couldn’t comment at that time; I knew I’d be back today to reread your words and drop a line. Well done, thank you for this wonderful Earth Day post! ❤
Thank you very much, Donna– much appreciated!
Wonderful photos and insight on this very strange fiftieth year of Earth Day! Harmony and hope are two things we desperately need and to see so many people right now fighting to keep one another safe, along with the immediate impact it has already had on the environment, gives me hope.🙂
Thank you, Susan! One we’ll never forget.
A very good time to reflect on what Mother Earth is trying to tell us. With some clearing of the skies and pollution reduced, how many powers in government will recognise and act though.
Thank you, Vicki. Sadly, the answer lies in ‘follow the money.’ Humans think they are a seemingly unstoppable force, but we know just how powerful Nature is, and she will win in the end.
Eloquently put Eliza. I hope more kindness to our home becomes of this. I just planted a whole canister of pollinator flower seeds. I hope some take. I have made some more small changes in my habits to be more earth friendly as well. I call my compost bucket feeding the earth. It works – I actually have earth worms in my soil out back now!
Thank you, Kathy. Good to hear from you – I was thinking of you only yesterday, wondering how you were doing. Hope all is well!
I wasn’t paying attention to the importance of Earth Day when it began, but seems so obvious now.
With each passing year, the stakes get higher. The world needs to take big steps, and the sooner the better. Thanks for weighing in, Susie.
A wonderful wake-up call, Eliza, and great tribute to Earth Day. We have come a long way in 50 years, but oh my do we ever have a long way to go. What I most appreciate here, besides the lovely nature photos, is your understanding that this pandemic is indeed related to our imbalance with nature and our planet.
Thank you, Jet. I find myself wishing we did a whole lot more these past 50 years, but that is water under the bridge. Let’s hope positive changes lie ahead.
Beautiful tribute to our Earth, my dear Eliza. I hope our seclusion leads to more thoughtfulness on out behalf.
Thank you, Marina. May it be so!
🤗😘
Lovely shots!
Thank you, Fi!