hi everyone. im home. my journey was wonderful and fruitful. as most of you know, ive traveled all around the world and am almost always left with some deeper thoughts and thematic personal growth. this trips theme was a deeper reflection on my ecological impact and connection...in general, and to those places ive visited in my life. ive been sitting (for a couple of decades) on a growing sense that, while intellectual and experiential curiosity is a strong drive in me, my impact on the planet and other cultures feels incongruent with my values. from the materials needed to facilitate overseas travel and the fuel required, to the contagion of western culture by my mere presence and the literal trampling of whatever is under my foot, i dont see myself traveling in the ways i have in the past. though not as highly consumptive as most, i still leave an enormous footprint in the wake of my movements. we have a lot to learn from the canadians about stewardship of nature. of course, they are not perfect, but i gotta tell you...i saw two pieces of trash roadside during my week and a half there...more forgotten than discarded. i also saw a sign on the highway that tolled the number of animal deaths on the particular stretch of road in the last two years (presumably to make people aware of their driving habits). im honestly not sure this would be very influential in the states. i was awed by what i sensed was a more symbiotic relationship between humans and the (rest of the) natural world, in a way that is unlike any other place ive visited or lived. in the early days of my trip, through oregon, washington, idaho, utah, and colorado, i connected with some deep sadness about how we treat animals, as i passed cattle, horses and other livestock farms on the road. as i pondered this one particular afternoon, a truck passed me with a horse trailer. peering out the holes, were three full-grown bucks, all with beautiful, multi-point antlers. i couldnt imagine where they were being taken or what they must be experiencing in that terribly foreign environment. it brings tears to my eyes even now. i dont say these things with any kind of judgment or warning about the choices we/you all make. we are all on our own paths. i offer my thoughts hoping you may offer and extend compassion to me and my tender/pained heart as i make changes in my life to live more gently among the trees, (non-human) animals and earth.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 18:34:09 +0000