Dear Earth, how can we possibly enjoy you?

Much of you is poisoned, dear Earth. Your forests are thinning like hair. Many of your glorious species are fading into history. Your cloak of weather is whipping more and more crazily around you.

When we take the science into our hearts and see what we have done, when we begin to grieve, how can we carry on with our ordinary lives? How can we tend our garden, knowing about desertification? How can we enjoy your brilliant sunsets knowing how much carbon is trapped up there, suffocating you?

We must be like those in recovery from helpless dependency on harsh chemicals. We mustn’t shy away from the damage done – to our bodies, to our loved ones, to our world. We must make amends wherever we can, making use of our unique talents. We must pass on what we know to others, who are still in dark denial.

More than all this, we must enjoy the sober years we have been gifted. We must broaden the capacity of our hearts to contain more grief and more joy than ever before. We must relish each sweet pineapple, appreciate every fat rosy robin, bow to the raging sea. We must teach our children how to enjoy mud squishing through their bare toes, and to love wild rabbits. We must create time around our amend-making to rest, to receive pleasure, and to play.

You want us to play, darling Earth. Why else would you offer us chestnuts and piles of dry leaves? There will be dying, there will be dying, and here is my little dog, flicking her toy elephant around the office, hardly able to contain her happiness as it arcs through the air.

Much love, dear Earth, Satya <3