I do feel (and hope) that nature is more resilient than we give it credit for… it’s going to have to be to face what’s coming. The part about realising there is more to admire in people than despise? I truly and honestly struggle with that… Maybe that’s a reflection of me. Maybe it’s the bubble I am in right now, and I as I change, so too will this. But I despair a little each day at the failure of humanity…remembering that (L)ife is in us, too? That’s hope. Beautiful clip, by the way.
Sarah, the video and the survivor trees reminds me of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. While humans are still not allowed to enter the zone due to the radioactivity, it is nonetheless thriving with life - flora and fauna is abundant and the area has some of the highest biodiversity and in all of Ukraine, despite the radiation. I find the climate crisis overwhelming, debilitating and truly sad. However, for some time, I have taken comfort from the idea that the Earth, Life, Mother Nature will go on. Humans may become extinct and the planet will not be what it is today, but for our Earth, time is measured in eons and humans are merely a blip. She will continue to exist in some form or another, whether we are here to witness it or not. That's not to say it will not be devastating and unfathomable and infuriating to see millions die, climate refugees fleeing, the GBR disappearing and everything else. But Nature will win in the end. Life will evolve. I love your conversations. They express all the things.
I love the way you articulately express these truths!! After losing my 17y/o brother this year I have definitely pondered "what is the point?" many times. The fact that life is so absurdly meaningless and the knowledge that Life is so much bigger than we are has challenged me to rethink a lot of things. As Marianne Williamson explains so accurately, LOVE is everything. Life is all about giving love! Creating our own meaning! Focusing on solidarity and the divine knowledge that we are all connected to everything. Life is definitely a continual study in work and love. Thankyou Sarah. ps. almost finished your book (TOWAPL) and I love the many moments you have articulated things so accurately I can't help but say YESS!!
Damn sorry for your loss...can I ask, as I'm genuinely curious...did he struggle with Covid? My heart goes out to teens...my own teen foster daughter did it so tough. Thank you for accessing the "YES"...it's a noble wrestle as I think I say way too often. x
He had struggled for many years with life in general but Covid definitely contributed to further disconnection from society and not being able to access mental health services in person. As you touch on in your book in many ways, the anxiety epidemic and general disconnection of society from what is real is what I believe he was victim to.
Relief... on the part of the Earth. Because if we lose it "all" - and if "all" is the life we love on this planet - then we will have lost beauty and awe and all that is precious, and with those losses we lose our reason, we lose what makes us. And we will cease. And this dear Earth will breathe a sigh of relief. Then she will take a breath of renewal and life will continue and grow and flourish without us.
I find comfort in the knowledge that one day we will cease. We will have forever scarred this world, but she is strong and will continue in spite of us - I smile at the weeds that grow in the cracks of concrete.
Until then, our work should not be to ensure the prosperity of humanity, but the prosperity of this Earth; realising that the efforts toward the latter are magnificently beneficial for the former.
It's a mixed response... but then I get a mixed response to a lot of things and those very close to me may have gotten used to my perspective :)
Those who push back or baulk at the idea generally view life and humans in a different light to what I do, and our opinions will usually differ on a number of controversial or dividing issues that exist around life and death.
For me, I believe this life I am living right now is a gift (not a right) and it is precious and incredible and fragile and powerful. But it will (and should) end, as should humanity being just another species on this earth. I do not believe humans should outlast any other species just because we're "smarter" (perhaps that "smart" is just vanity and arrogance). I have had people tell me that I am not honouring life or placing enough value on life with these opinions. But I think I value and honour it more, by recognising the brevity.
A worthwhile discussion. Thank you. What is left if we lose it all? This is a matter of perspective is it not? If the 'all' in this question equates with the modern consumables, creature comforts, social status or favourable opinions of others....then surely we are left with nakedness and discomfort... temporarily.....before we then realise our moral nakedness and how bereft we are of meaning. We then realise we have been nothing more than 'earth lickers' and empty souls. Yet now, without all what we thought was meaningful, we begin to truly live. Simple. Free. Free not to own or be owned.
What is left is our place in the web of life , and the desire to rebuild it. Maybe the spiderweb is the greatest example. The most delicate of threads , the most gentle movements , slow steady work, leaps across voids , acceptance of destruction and patience with life.
Each strand is our words and actions, and the outcome is unknown, but it’s is self evident that the work will be beautiful. And when the work is done we sit in the centre , not knowing if Sarah will accidentally run into the web in the forest, or if a feast will happen to fall into our work
Another great Albert Camus quote: "the welfare of humanity is the alibi of tyrants." Maybe one could reflect on that before telling others they have a duty to get vaxxed for the sake of others.
The Plague was not the only thing Camus wrote. This is a quote from Homage to an Exile (1955). The whole extract reads:
“The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants, and it provides the further advantage of giving the servants of tyranny a good conscience. It would be easy, however, to destroy that good conscience by shouting to them:
”if you want the happiness of the people, let them speak out and tell what kind of happiness they want and what kind they don’t want!”
But, in truth, the very ones who make use of such alibis know they are lies; they leave to their intellectuals on duty the chore of believing in them and of proving that religion, patriotism, and justice need for their survival the sacrifice of freedom.”
I do feel (and hope) that nature is more resilient than we give it credit for… it’s going to have to be to face what’s coming. The part about realising there is more to admire in people than despise? I truly and honestly struggle with that… Maybe that’s a reflection of me. Maybe it’s the bubble I am in right now, and I as I change, so too will this. But I despair a little each day at the failure of humanity…remembering that (L)ife is in us, too? That’s hope. Beautiful clip, by the way.
Part of hope, I guess, is an ardent belief in the best. I work to this...in the absence of enough admirable people!
Sarah, the video and the survivor trees reminds me of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. While humans are still not allowed to enter the zone due to the radioactivity, it is nonetheless thriving with life - flora and fauna is abundant and the area has some of the highest biodiversity and in all of Ukraine, despite the radiation. I find the climate crisis overwhelming, debilitating and truly sad. However, for some time, I have taken comfort from the idea that the Earth, Life, Mother Nature will go on. Humans may become extinct and the planet will not be what it is today, but for our Earth, time is measured in eons and humans are merely a blip. She will continue to exist in some form or another, whether we are here to witness it or not. That's not to say it will not be devastating and unfathomable and infuriating to see millions die, climate refugees fleeing, the GBR disappearing and everything else. But Nature will win in the end. Life will evolve. I love your conversations. They express all the things.
Oh yay! In a strikingly similar vein of hope and planetary regeneration, I just posted this article on ecovillage and social transformation/climate resilience. I hope it resonates, because there are so many of us working to actively create and live out the solutions, rising to the challenge of this moment. Thanks Sarah. https://surrendernow.substack.com/p/ecovillage-and-substack-recommendations?r=hd4ts&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=copy
I love this Sarah! More please! I love the strong themes of love and meaning that wash through such seemingly different viewpoint.
We will probably need to shift and broaden our understanding of love going forward, right?
I love the way you articulately express these truths!! After losing my 17y/o brother this year I have definitely pondered "what is the point?" many times. The fact that life is so absurdly meaningless and the knowledge that Life is so much bigger than we are has challenged me to rethink a lot of things. As Marianne Williamson explains so accurately, LOVE is everything. Life is all about giving love! Creating our own meaning! Focusing on solidarity and the divine knowledge that we are all connected to everything. Life is definitely a continual study in work and love. Thankyou Sarah. ps. almost finished your book (TOWAPL) and I love the many moments you have articulated things so accurately I can't help but say YESS!!
Damn sorry for your loss...can I ask, as I'm genuinely curious...did he struggle with Covid? My heart goes out to teens...my own teen foster daughter did it so tough. Thank you for accessing the "YES"...it's a noble wrestle as I think I say way too often. x
He had struggled for many years with life in general but Covid definitely contributed to further disconnection from society and not being able to access mental health services in person. As you touch on in your book in many ways, the anxiety epidemic and general disconnection of society from what is real is what I believe he was victim to.
"What is left if we lose it all?”
Relief... on the part of the Earth. Because if we lose it "all" - and if "all" is the life we love on this planet - then we will have lost beauty and awe and all that is precious, and with those losses we lose our reason, we lose what makes us. And we will cease. And this dear Earth will breathe a sigh of relief. Then she will take a breath of renewal and life will continue and grow and flourish without us.
I find comfort in the knowledge that one day we will cease. We will have forever scarred this world, but she is strong and will continue in spite of us - I smile at the weeds that grow in the cracks of concrete.
Until then, our work should not be to ensure the prosperity of humanity, but the prosperity of this Earth; realising that the efforts toward the latter are magnificently beneficial for the former.
What is left if we lose it all? Not us.
Do people close to you struggle to understand that you find comfort in our extinction (if that's what required)?
It's a mixed response... but then I get a mixed response to a lot of things and those very close to me may have gotten used to my perspective :)
Those who push back or baulk at the idea generally view life and humans in a different light to what I do, and our opinions will usually differ on a number of controversial or dividing issues that exist around life and death.
For me, I believe this life I am living right now is a gift (not a right) and it is precious and incredible and fragile and powerful. But it will (and should) end, as should humanity being just another species on this earth. I do not believe humans should outlast any other species just because we're "smarter" (perhaps that "smart" is just vanity and arrogance). I have had people tell me that I am not honouring life or placing enough value on life with these opinions. But I think I value and honour it more, by recognising the brevity.
A worthwhile discussion. Thank you. What is left if we lose it all? This is a matter of perspective is it not? If the 'all' in this question equates with the modern consumables, creature comforts, social status or favourable opinions of others....then surely we are left with nakedness and discomfort... temporarily.....before we then realise our moral nakedness and how bereft we are of meaning. We then realise we have been nothing more than 'earth lickers' and empty souls. Yet now, without all what we thought was meaningful, we begin to truly live. Simple. Free. Free not to own or be owned.
Hi Sarah,
I love today's newsletter reference to Albert Camus. He certainly influenced my belief system as a young man. My favourite quote is
"Life can be magnificent and overwhelming – that is the whole tragedy. Without beauty, love, or danger it would almost be easy to live"
X
Easy to live, but way too mild to be joyous!
How would you like to introduce some more joy and excitement in your life?
this is such a beautiful post! Thank you.
What is left is our place in the web of life , and the desire to rebuild it. Maybe the spiderweb is the greatest example. The most delicate of threads , the most gentle movements , slow steady work, leaps across voids , acceptance of destruction and patience with life.
Each strand is our words and actions, and the outcome is unknown, but it’s is self evident that the work will be beautiful. And when the work is done we sit in the centre , not knowing if Sarah will accidentally run into the web in the forest, or if a feast will happen to fall into our work
Another great Albert Camus quote: "the welfare of humanity is the alibi of tyrants." Maybe one could reflect on that before telling others they have a duty to get vaxxed for the sake of others.
Have you read The Plague? I'm not sure Camus had vaccinations in mind when he uttered this quote
The Plague was not the only thing Camus wrote. This is a quote from Homage to an Exile (1955). The whole extract reads:
“The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants, and it provides the further advantage of giving the servants of tyranny a good conscience. It would be easy, however, to destroy that good conscience by shouting to them:
”if you want the happiness of the people, let them speak out and tell what kind of happiness they want and what kind they don’t want!”
But, in truth, the very ones who make use of such alibis know they are lies; they leave to their intellectuals on duty the chore of believing in them and of proving that religion, patriotism, and justice need for their survival the sacrifice of freedom.”
As mentioned, a good prose to reflect upon.
yep story telling is key