When did Earth Day stop being about the Earth?

At 6am on a Saturday, it started with a single tear falling from the corner of my eye. “I am the Lorax and I speak for the trees!” I thought.

On our birthdays, we celebrate our birth. We celebrate ourselves. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Veteran’s Day we celebrate mothers, fathers and veterans, right?  So, when did we stop celebrating and giving back to the Earth on Earth Day?

Some people refer to me as a tree-hugger.  I used to deny it. I was above all of that. After thinking about it, now I wear my Tree-hugger badge proudly. You would never know it by looking at me. I don’t wear the traditional tree-hugger garb. I am cleverly disguised as a yuppie designer chick.  As a young adult, (didn’t think I was young at the time) I lived in Fort Collins, Colorado. I got my degree from Colorado State University, go Rams! Formerly known as the Aggies, CSU is an agricultural school at heart. In college, in Fort Collins, Earth Day seemed to be all about the Earth. Appropriate. And why not be a tree-hugger? Everyone (and everything) needs a hug now and then…don’t you think?

I am a landscape designer by trade and I have been working on a large design that is slated to be installed this summer.  It is an 8 acre Bird Sanctuary in Parker. How wonderful to have the ground-breaking on Earth Day! You would think that getting volunteers on Earth Day to plant trees would be a no-brainer. I guess despite my age, I can be naïve sometimes, still. I have been turned down more than once.  It’s my own fault really. I must not be stressing the fact that, at least in my mind and heart, this isn’t for the neighborhood or the outlying community. As the saying goes, it’s for the birds! It’s for the birds, the butterflies, the bees, the deer, the bats, rabbits and foxes. It’s to put oxygen into the air, it’s habitat, it’s food, it’s shelter, it’s what I consider as truly giving back. It’s about giving back to the Earth, to the true natives of the area, the animals.

Why is it always the animals and environment that gets left out? In times of great catastrophic tragedy, such as Katrina and the earthquake in Haiti, the toll is huge. We collectively stood silent for a moment, in shock of what had just happened. In both of those cases, as many others, the human plight was enormous. And as the shock wore off, we raced to help our fellow man. But, what about the animals? I think it was at least a month after Katrina, if not longer, before I heard anything about the pets and the zoo animals. And what about Haiti? Is it arrogantly American of me to just assume they had pets or other domesticated animals? If it is, I apologize. I have heard nothing of the animals. Domesticated animals rely on humans for food and shelter. They are the ones who know before we do when a natural disaster is about to strike. Their people have been devastated and are unable to help themselves, let alone the animals. It is absolutely imperative, we all agree, that we need to help our fellow man but shouldn’t we also help their animals?

I know, on the surface, I appear to some to be uncaring about people. That’s not the case. My caring and concern goes far deeper and extend to every living thing. That includes the living, breathing planet that we call home. I know that I am not alone in my thinking. Sometimes it just feels that way.

Tree-huggers unite! We are the Lorax and we speak for the trees (and animals)!!

Surviving the Shift

We are all feeling it. You can ignore it, you can make excuses for it or you can acknowledge it. Whatever you choose to do, it is happening. The Earth is being bombarded with energy. Things are changing, consciousness is shifting. Call me a right-wing nut if you like (or left-wing, I can never remember which is which). Even scientists will tell you that the Earth is being bombarded with cosmic energy. Solar flares from the sun, etc. So what? It’s all invisible, how could that possibly affect us? We interact with energy from the sun in many ways; as heat, as light, plants use the sun’s energy as food. Watch the news and you will see people losing their minds, going crazy. They don’t know what’s going on but they feel the chaos. People are angry. They are shooting people, robbing banks, hurting others and themselves. I hear what they are saying. They are saying, “ I don’t know what to do anymore!”, “What’s happening?!”, “ I feel out of control and I can’t take it any more!”. There is a feeling of chaotic energy around. I am an empath which means that I can pick up on the energy of other people. I feel the fear. I feel the chaos. I feel the feeling of being out of control, from others and myself.

under a tree

Nature

I think I have found a solution (well, at least in part). I will be the first to admit that I don’t have all the answers. I haven’t peeked at the back of the book. But, from what I hear from friends, what I see watching the news, and what I feel myself is that…… we need to hold on. Sounds like an impossibly simple answer to something so huge. Yes, I agree. But keep reading, I hope this helps. I mean that sincerely. We have all heard the phrase, “Hang on, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.” Well, that’s what I mean. Imagine we are all on a rollercoaster. You can act brave and throw your hands in the air. You aren’t afraid. That’s great, that’s fun. But, you are also strapped in with a seatbelt or large, stiff bar that keeps you from falling to your death, right? You wouldn’t be letting go if you weren’t. So, let’s strap ourselves in so, instead of screaming like a little girl (no offence to little girls), we can feel secure in throwing our hands in the air because we know that we are safe. We can ride this ride and experience one of the most amazing times in human history!  (I know you feel it!)

Here is the key, the secret, the answer to the million dollar question. We need to stay grounded. Yes, grounded. Again, imagine the Earth is on a wild rollercoaster ride. Now, imagine being in the front row and feeling safe enough to throw your hands in the air. You only do that because you feel secure. That’s how you enjoy the ride. If you felt you would truly, realistically fall out as it turned upside down, how would you feel??  That’s how so many feel right now. Let’s put our seatbelts on.

How does one become ‘grounded’?  Well, that can be different for everyone. Here are some ideas:

  • Meditate – sit somewhere, close your eyes and breathe deeply… clear your mind. It just takes a few minutes; you’ll be amazed at how relaxed you feel afterward.
  • Take a walk- sounds simple, I know. But, being in nature is incredibly soothing and grounding.
  • Sit under a tree on a sunny day- feel the breeze on your cheeks
  • Help someone else- doesn’t it feel good to help others?
  • Hold rocks- whether it’s a rock from a recent vacation spot or a tumbled gemstone, like amethyst, rocks and crystals come from the Earth and have healing /grounding properties

Let’s be grounded and enjoy the ride.

 

 

Tips on how to have a “GREEN” landscape…..

Being environmentally friendly doesn’t stop when you go out into your landscape. Below are some things to consider when updating your landscape.

  • Use solar water fountains and solar lighting
  • Use mulch recycled from tires or plastic bottles
  • Large trees create shade on your house or patio and give your grass or plants a break from our intense sun
  • Reduce sod in your landscape. Any place you don’t use the lawn, example side yard
  • Use propane grills and fire pits. Propane is cleaner than charcoal
  • Xeriscape- use low water plants in your landscape and reduce your water consumption
  • Native plants are more pest and disease resistant
  • Grow your own herbs and vegetables
  • Use materials (boulders, stone, rock mulch and wood mulch) from the local area when available
  • Use tumbled, recycled glass “water” in your landscape. The glass is 100% recycled and that glass never sees a land fill
  • Create and use your own compost
  • Use a mulching lawn mower to mow your lawn and feed it
  • Mulch your leaves in the fall

We are connected

We are connected to this earth, our home. Periodically, it is important to reconnect. I am not talking about religion or your beliefs. Many religions, many cultures throughout time have known this. With all of our technology and ‘advances’, we have forgotten this oh-so-important fact. We are connected to our surroundings because we live here. Here is your neighborhood, your community, your country, but mostly here is planet earth. We will not break her, she will endure. But it is important to us down to the very ancient depths of us. So, reconnect with her.

Did your grandmother grow some of the food she ate? Did your grandfather have an orchard? Did your aunt have a cherished rose garden? What can you do to continue a family tradition?

Reconnect with your surroundings each day, week or month.

  • Change with the seasons. Eat foods that are in season. Did our ancestors eat bananas in winter? It depends on where they lived.
  • Pick flowers from your garden and bring them inside each season. In the winter, bring in twigs or pine cones and make an arrangement.
  • Feed the birds.
  • Plant roses in honor of that favorite relative.
  • In the spring, get your hands dirty! Go out to your garden/yard and play in the dirt. Pull weeds, plant something, spread compost on your flower garden.
  • Share stories that your parents and grandparents told you. Pass on the oral tradition of your family and/or ancestors.
  • Sit outside and view the beauty of nature, even in a rain storm or a cloudy day. It is nature.

It is important for us to stay connected to all that is around us, to put down the cell phone, turn off the TV and go outside.

Enjoy and may the peace of the land be with you.

Spring cleaning for Good Energy

Spring cleaning is a great way to embrace the new season, clear out the old and welcome in some good Feng Shui energy. Here are some tips on how to get organized:

Kick off your spring cleaning by getting organized:

Feng Shui Kitchen

Feng Shui Kitchen

  • Pick up and eliminate clutter in each room before you start cleaning.
  • Try placing a cardboard box and two or three garbage bags in each room you’re decluttering.
  • Then, fill them as you sort through your shelves, cabinets, and closets

Donate & Store

  • Donate old books, magazines, toys, and clothes that you don’t wear to charity, or fill a box for your next garage sale.
  • Donate items that can still be used. If it’s broken, torn or well worn, throw it away.
  • If you can’t bear to give away old magazines and books, box them up and store them out of the way

Clear Out Your Kitchen

  • Take time to clear out your pantry, kitchen cabinets, and drawers.
  • Wipe out and install fresh shelf paper.
  • Store or donate equipment you don’t use, such as small appliances or cookware.
  • Discard stale spices or dated items such as baking powder.
  • Clean the refrigerator and freezer.
  • Vacuum the cooling coils under or behind your refrigerator.

Make a Wardrobe Transition

  • Now that it’s warm outside, have your winter clothes cleaned. Don’t store dirty clothes.
  • Consider storing clothes at a dry cleaner if you don’t have enough space.
  • Put away gloves, winter clothing items, and boots to make room for spring/summer clothing.

Freshen Bedrooms

  • Add bright or soft spring colors and remove fall, winter, or holiday colors.
  • Rotate and flip mattresses.
  • Wash blankets or comforters or take them to be cleaned.
  • Wash mattress pad and bed skirt.
  • Have pillows professionally cleaned or hang them outside in the fresh air, or freshen with the air (no heat) cycle of your clothes dryer.
  • Wash or dry clean rugs.

Clean out Bathrooms

  • Refresh or replace old products.
  • Go through your medicine cabinets and safely discard any outdated products.
  • Replace worn bath mats, shower curtains, and liners, or wash and dry shower curtains and liners.

 

Doing these things (even some of these) will excite the energy in your home and create a positive energy flow. What does that mean? Your home will FEEL amazing! And so will you!

 

 

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