By Jack Levine
Please reflect with me for a few minutes on how vital the link is between the generations…a connection that transcends gender and has implications for our collective futures.
In Native American culture, reflective of many ancient religious beliefs, the Earth and Nature is symbolic of the Mother. In fact, the word “Nature” comes from the Latin for “birth.”
Every one of us is addicted to our lifestyle. The convenience of hopping in the car, enjoying temperature control for cooling and heating, and all the many ways we find to spend our time and acquire items which depend upon oil for production.
“You can’t fool Mother Nature” is a phrase which is both timely and telling. Mother Earth is, and will always be a source of sustenance if we are to survive. Every offense we direct at the health of our planet has the potential of a haunting result….for our species and all the others which are subject to our actions.
We humans are unique. We are the only one among all the species that has the ability to learn our past, have spiritual thoughts, and possess the capacity to plan our future. All others are totally reliant on instinct for survival and live only for the day…..we have another set of skills….special gifts worth unwrapping each day
How we use these gifts of knowledge, spirit and foresight is up to us. In an ancient Native American chant we read:
Treat the earth well.
It was not given to you by your parents,
It was loaned to you by your children.
We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors,
We borrow it from our Children.
Despite the busy days which consume our time and attention, please agree to take just a few minutes’ respite to contemplate the impact of our actions….on ourselves, on those who rely upon us for caring and nurturance….on our spiritual being, and upon Mother Earth, who gives life but needs our protection and love…..on Mother’s Day and every day.
Jack Levine, Founder
4Generations Institute
Tallahassee
Jack Levine, a family policy advocate based in Tallahassee, is founder of the 4Generations Institute. He serves as Partnership Director for GRAND Media and may be reached at Jack@4gen.org
