Dear Earth, let’s be kind to each other.

A new virus has made itself at home inside us, darling Earth. It is creating heavy work for us – practical, financial, political. It is killing those who are vulnerable. Many of us are frightened.

When we are frightened, we do what our systems know how to do. For some of us, we hide under a fleecy blanket of denial – scoffing at the doomsayers, sure of our own indestructibility. For others, we mobilise into hypervigilence and panic, checking the news at ten minute intervals, hoarding pasta, our thoughts circling horribly.

We are frail beings, and we want to live. When there is a direct threat to our existence, we move mountains. This selfishness is programmed in, and manifests in many different ways.

We can be kind to the parts of us that are trying to protect us. If our system becomes overwhelmed, we’re no use to anyone. Our managing parts, our distancers, our compulsions, are all trying to steady the ship.

We can be kind to the parts of other people that are trying to protect them, by obsessing, by discounting us, by shutting down. When we can’t find kindness, we can trust that they’re doing their best with the resources they have.

Our leaders will make mistakes. They’ll be slow, and they’ll prioritise in ways we disagree with. Our friends may infuriate us. We’ll find ourselves obsessing over tiny details, or being upset by things we feel we ‘shouldn’t’ feel upset about.

It’s all okay. We can keep listening to the parts of us that are afraid, and be patient with them as we would be with a tired child. We can try to understand their motivations, and appreciate how hard they are working for us, even as they’re causing chaos. As we do this, we may find compassion welling up – finding a way past the layers and layers of protection, like sweet nectar.

We can remember, then, that we are not alone. We can offer help where it is needed – a phone-call, a delivery of groceries. We can find the steady ground underneath us, regardless of what happens next. We can lean into your soft green lap, lovely Earth. We can radiate gentleness.

Brother Sun is still lighting up the blades of grass in the garden. Each of them is reaching up towards him, with longing and in thanks.

Let us be very kind to each other, those of us who are alive this sparkling day.

With much love, Satya <3