Orange skies…dangerously unhealthy smoke-filled skies…over three million acres of forest and homes burned between California, Washington, and Oregon…devastation and rebuilding abound… As we all know, these are just a few of the challenges in the months of mid-August to mid-September 2020 – not to mention COVID-19, sheltering in place, remote schooling, an economy on the brink of bigger challenges, a call for racial and social reform, and a divisive political season. Phew. Can we all just take a deep breath and acknowledge how much challenge is in the air right now?

Breathe in… I know I am breathing in.
Breathe out… I know I am breathing out.

I don’t know if it’s been the physical presence of fires or near-call for evacuation of our family huddled between the roaring CZU and SCU Lightning Complex fires, but I have noticed my own psyche and emotional bank is fired up as well. In talking with some of my spiritual guides and teachers, they remind me a fire that is out of control only burns and destructs; a controlled fire clears what is no longer needed and allows for rebirth and rebuilding. I keep saying to myself, “Remember, girl, stay grounded and rooted in your principles… Don’t fight fire with fire… How you show up matters… This is a marathon and not a sprint.” I find it important to calm my soul before speaking out or taking activist actions. Simultaneously, my energy is far from silent. Fire is the agent of great change, an imperative element of transformation. 

Sometimes I wonder if Mother Nature is letting us know “since you won’t take care of what is needed in our world, since you didn’t learn about the lessons of interdependence and caring for one another from COVID, now here you go.” I don’t actually claim this is Mother Nature creating destruction for us to learn necessary lessons. I don’t believe that for a minute. The fires and floods and increased temperatures are a result of human behavior and neglect of doing the right actions to reverse, or at the very least mitigate, global climate change. We, as humans, can and must make a difference in what we do in our world for generations to come.

I’ve been doing a fair amount of research these days – around fires as they connect to the warming temperatures in our planet, race in America, views of political candidates – and also inviting more humor and playfulness in our family’s current home/school/work indoor setting. I’ve needed balance. We are facing great challenges, for instance fighting for equal rights regardless of race, color, ethnic background, gender, or sexual orientation that I am willing to get “fired up” about. I am willing to do my part to look at what we can do to support one another with conscious action, when it comes to the treatment of Mother Earth. I read a quote recently by Ferdinand Foch that resonated with me: “The most powerful weapon on Earth is the human soul on fire.” It seems to me that many human souls are on fire, and I see so many sparks of change that are the catalyst for major movements in our country and in our world. There is no “going back” to the way things were before.

As I reach out to discern what I can do from a place of concern and empathy, I can encourage people to vote with their hearts and negate fear-mongering and posturing for power. I can look at the systems of oppression and be an ally and advocate for changed laws and systems. I can see where wounds from our past have led us to where we are today (i.e. the spread of fake news and mistrust in our media) and have further led to distrust and disgust in one another. I can hold space and conversation with people who have different views than I do, and I can be brave and speak out when injustice is repeating itself from a place of ignorance and/or bias. I can and will continue to talk, educate myself, and act in ways that are synonymous with my views that we are all one human family. Like the forests, we have different ways in which we present ourselves, and all of us are necessary and equal. I will also continue to find ways to soothe my soul and nervous system and create a sense of ease and love when I engage in dialogue with others. Rage and shame never changed anyone’s minds as far as I know from my lived experience.

I will drape a shawl of emotional empathy around my shoulders and bow humbly to Mother Earth and all her creatures in gratitude and service. I will remind myself that love and connection is the priority. With love and connection, we will rise, we will change, we will rebuild, and we will foster growth in the ways that serve us all. We are all interconnected, just like the trees, and what we do absolutely matters to one another’s livelihood. It’s time to do the hard work of rebuilding.