In July, I had the opportunity to see many of my family relatives on mom's side of the family. I was especially touched to see the next generation in my family, my second cousins (my cousins children). They all have this awareness about the environment and love for nature and plants. Some are trying to grow at some of their own food in their finca and they all spend significant time outdoors. I was so happy to see that their lives are not totally consumed by video games and televisions. There is something so special in people when they have a close connection and relationship to nature, you can see it in their eyes, they glow and somehow they have this gentle way of knowing how to care for people.
I was told a beautiful story about how one of my second cousins a few years ago, when he was probably 4 or 5. He asked his dad while looking at a piece of meat during a meal: "Dad is this meat from a dead or a killed cow"
His dad asked: "What do you mean sweatheart?"
He said: "If the meat comes from a dead cow, I will eat it, if the cow was killed so I could eat it then I don't want to this piece of meat Dad."
I took the girls on the walk around the backyard while teaching them about native florida plants. Exploring nature is a great way to explore our curiosity and to learn how to observe, reflect and know that we can learn though our own experience. It also teaches about respect for other living beings and all the different ways in which all living beings contribute to life. Learning to care for nature, we learn to care for ourselves, as we begin to uncover the interconnection of all beings and realizing that individual health and well-being is inter-related to the health and well-being of all beings on earth.
I think it's also a process of expansion, as we let go of our attachment to our individual selves to care for others, not just other humans, but care and act in ways that protect and ensure healthy lives for other species as well. As we walk that path of expansion of care, compassion and interconnection, we begin to unveil the things that are really important to us and life sustaining and let go of things that are illusions and just temporary reactive responses such as consumerism and selfishness. We begin to be truly happy!
This experience was extremely touching and inspiring. Deep and long-lasting changes start within, family is so important to me and I know that if I want to be a leader and ensure that nature is protected and the earth is healed, my passion and love for environment needs to be passed on to others. No matter if my family is geographically far from me, I was so happy and inspired to see that all the things that are important to me, are great influences in their lives and things that I know are giving them access to care, nurture, life-sustaining and life-affirming qualities for them and all that surrounds them.
I have great appreciation for the beautiful family that I belong to and for all the moments I spend outdoors, close to nature.
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