Two Challenges
What did you do? And how do you pick yourself up when it all feels too heavy?
I was listening to a Tara Brach podcast, which is something I do to calm myself down, when I heard her read this very haunting poem. It contains a challenge which makes me uncomfortable, but in a good way. I imagine it’s the way a grain of sand niggles within the flesh of an oyster. Very often, I feel like I want to turn my back on the whole environmental crisis and live a self-centered life based on doing whatever makes me happy, like a good little consumer. But then this question comes for me. Again and again.
I’ve copied only the first portion, the full text of the poem is here. (And please note that this post is not doing it justice).
Hieroglyphic Stairway by Drew Dellinger
it's 3:23 in the morning
and I'm awake
because my great great grandchildren
won't let me sleep
my great great grandchildren
ask me in dreams
what did you do while the planet was plundered?
what did you do when the earth was unraveling?
surely you did something
when the seasons started failing?
as the mammals, reptiles, birds were all dying?
did you fill the streets with protest
when democracy was stolen?
what did you do
once
you
knew?
I really suspect this is why so many people just don’t want to know about the state of the natural world. Because once you know, you can’t un-know. The question, “What did you do?”, is both a pain-point and an opportunity.
Most of us in the activist space are tired. We’re frustrated. We know how important it is to come from a place of love, and we do, but it’s hard to swim against the current of greed, ignorance and delusional thinking that typifies so many of the choices being made by our leaders. It’s always been a David and Goliath struggle, speaking for the natural world while being drowned out by Big Oil, Big Business, Big Developers, Big Chemical, Big Banks…Although we win a battle here and there we often lose far more than we win. Regardless, gains are being made, and as the climate crisis worsens it’s imperative that we make more. And if not us, then who?
Sometimes I think we’re like crickets. If only a few of us are chirping nobody hears, but if enough of us join in, we’ll become impossible to ignore.
So the first challenge is just the question, “What did you do?”.
(Please know that I fully recognize how overwhelmed and helpless many of us feel. I’m not trying to prescribe or “guilt” you into more action. Many actions are very simple…like getting clear information on candidate’s environmental records and ambitions before you vote. Here is a wonderful column by Professor. Kimberly Nicolas about that.)
The second challenge is much more fun. One of the ways I pick myself up when I’m feeling down is to listen to a play list. So I decided to make a play list for environmentalists, and what I’d love to see are your contributions and personal choices for songs to inspire, amuse, or otherwise ease the souls of environmental warriors (or worriers, or both, whatever the case may be).
Play lists will always be personal, shaped by life circumstances, musical preferences and how old you are. So please play along and submit your own ideas. I don’t have a Spotify membership so unfortunately you’ll have to look these up manually, but with all the streaming options out there, including YouTube, I think it’s pretty easy to find any of these online. Ready, set…here are my choices:
Corinne by Les Trois Accords—because as Alice Walker said, “hard times require furious dancing.” (This is a Quebecois group, and the song is about feeling compelled to dance. It’s fun).
Big Yellow Taxi Joni Mitchell
String of Pearls Annabelle Chvostok (it works well with the metaphor above)
My Inner Ninja David Myles
Fight Song Rachel Platten
Never Give Up Sia
Brave Sara Bareilles (cause it takes courage to speak up)
It’s Not Easy Being Green Rex Hobart and the Misery Boys
Walk with You Janelle Kroll
Imagine John Lennon
Ho Hey The Lumineers
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life Monty Python (‘cause sometimes all you can do is laugh)
The Galaxy Song Monty Python (because a wider perspective can be soothing)
Now I’ve shown you mine…please show me yours. :)
Looking forward to your inspirations.
e.
Weekly News Digest - “The Blowhole”
More highways do not solve congestion or reduce emissions, yet politicians continue to argue for them.
Some rather scary new research on micro plastics.
A new platform that I’ve been reading (at least new to me) with lots of interesting articles and resources:
https://app.wedonthavetime.org
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