This Pretty Planet

April 22nd , 1970 was the date that began a legacy of love for the planet, as Earth Day made its debut. John McConnell, Gaylord Nelson and Denis Hayes planted the seeds for the eco-fest that now 44 years later has taken on epic proportions as the need for environmental awareness has reached a crucial level. According to Hayes, it is “the largest secular holiday in the world, celebrated by more than a billion people every year.”

Being environmentally conscious is about more than just recycling, using cloth bags, picking up litter, not leaving litter, driving a hybrid or electric car and leaving a smaller carbon footprint. It is about a deep appreciation for Gaia (The Greek name for the Goddess as is embodied by the Earth) and treating her with kindness, care and respect. In the same way that a loving mother provides nourishment for her child, so too does Mother Earth sustain us.

We also feed the collective soul of the planet with our thoughts and energy. Consistently angry thoughts, hatred and violence pollute the stream of consciousness that flows though each of us. Consistently loving thoughts clean it up. If we embrace the planet and all inhabitants on it, we will leave a thriving home for the next seven generations.

One of my favorite songs that celebrates Earth Day all year long:

This Pretty Planet by Tom Chapin

This pretty planet

Spinning through space

You’re a garden

You’re a harbor

You’re holy place

Golden sun going down

Gentle blue giant

Spin us around

All through the night

Safe till the morning light