* Great and joy and exhilaration of giving BIRTH
* Healing and joy I feel at all OCEANS and especially in N CA coast
* The energy of breathing while walking through TREES, esp. Redwoods
* The FUN of playing in the woods growing up in Ashford, CT
* LOVE from my pets especially Teddy Bear; all cats from Angel to Kee-Kee
* Joy of growing, smelling and seeing FLOWERS and SPRING
* SUNSHINE every day it's out replenishing my body and spirit
Next I was to list choices I've made regarding above list.
* To spend as much time as possible at the beach getting the supercharge of air, ocean, sunshine and sea critters.
* Want/need to spend more time walking through trees.
* Taking the time to notice, grow and photograph flowers.
* Keeping/affording pets
* Starting recycling (better late than never)
* Member of Sierra Club and Green Church
Now choose 2 places that "grab" you and write a paragraph about each.
The most extraordinary experience I've ever had in relation to feeling connected to the earth is when I chose to have a natural birth back in 1977. I felt really connected to the earth that we all come from during the process of being pregnant, eating healthily, finding a midwife and planning a home birth. The day itself was nothing short of miraculous. I got to spend transition in one of my favorite places, the bathtub! All my friends were there to support me. We had a special bath for the baby ready as soon as his chord was cut. The whole idea was that he have a peaceful and healthy entry into the world. I had not one pain reliever and I was fine with that. We even buried the placenta later in the garden.
Second is a hard choice, but I'd have to say my time at Big Sur coastline in Mendocino County, CA. My sister, my then six year old son and I made the journey. I was so excited I could hardly stand it; I didn't stop taking photographs until I was out of film. We stayed all day everyday and until after the sun set. We never wanted to leave! We camped out nearby and didn't mind the tent and uncomfortable ground; the fire was just right for toasting marshmallows.
Does your conclusion through your own experiences lead you agree with Psalm 24:1: "The EARTH is the Lord's, and the fullness of it, the world and they who dwell in it"? Simply answered, YES. I like the second verse too: "For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the currents and the rivers".
Have you experienced any natural disasters which made you wonder about God's goodness as Job did? No, but I sure wonder about all the floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, etc. that other people in the world have experienced and been devastated or dead as a result.
What feelings do you have about how the expansion of our cities, highways, and industries are affecting the land? When I recently read a Forbes list picking Philadelphia for the top of the most polluted cities list, even though I don't give Forbes much credence in their research, I felt all kinds of emotions ranging from sadness, powerlessness, anger and fear. I'm angry when I see litter on highways, side roads and even behind my own apartment building. I'm angry when oil spills occur causing animals to get sick and die and disturbing the whole echo-balance of the food chain; I'm even more angry when major oil companies take no responsibility for their actions and if they do it's too little, too late.I never liked the taste of the drinking water here so I'm annoyed that I have to buy and cart water in jugs home. Lastly I feel guilt like the Catholics taught me to--guilt about how long it has taken me to get back on this train since I fell off sometime in my 20's!
To end on a positive note, I'm so excited about everything I am learning in this class and the blessing of being a part of the building of the first Green Church (that I know of). I enjoyed sharing about it here. ;-)
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