As I sit here in front of my computer on a chilly and dark early evening, I see from other friends’ posts on social media they are doing the same thing: staying in and doing nothing except for watching movies, reading, cooking, or enjoying other indoor activities. We nestle into the darkness, which is broken by the light of lamps, televisions, computer screens, and electronic devices just to make our way through.
Christmas is approaching, and we prepare to decorate with more bright lights, shiny ornaments and festive candles, settling before a fire-lit hearth with extra thick soft slippers and comfort wear.
I read other posts telling us to accept the darkness and and rest in it as nature intended, retreat without the use of bright lights to compensate. As nature intended? The truth is, Mother Nature does not love us.
She certainly has not made it easy for us to stay alive. Bone-chilling winters, unbearable heat waves, destructive storms, shattering earthquakes and scorching wildfires are just a few of the natural disasters that have occurred since before global warming started. Then there are germs, poisons, pests, wild animals, diseases and viral outbreaks. She is hurting us just for being here. When when we fight back for our survival, we damage the very system that keeps us alive. Greenhouse gasses, garbage and pollution are diminishing the planet’s natural resources and sustainable environment.
We have tried our best to overcome the above obstacles with our evolution and inventions. Electricity, shelter, and other modern day conveniences make it much easier to survive nowadays. Our devices make it easier to work and communicate with one another, sometimes saving lives in the case of natural disasters.
History has shown people compensating in other ways without the use of electricity or devices. But without electricity, there is the risk of suffering and death from cold or extreme heat. Especially with the larger global population as compared to 500 years ago. But can we live without devices and electronics? Have we created a monster of reliance on these items that have changed our ways of living and even some cultures?
Everything we do is not necessary for our survival. We need to reveal the fine line that distinguishes survival from pure indulgence, greed and comfort.
We cannot defeat her. We have to learn to work with her, somehow, to keep our sanity and health safe and secure from the damaging effects of the privilege of living on this planet.
A solution is definitely not easy to obtain.
blaak sheep 