Earth Day Reflection and Aspiration

The day before Earth Day I found myself in a grocery store checkout line having my groceries being loaded into plastic bags.  I realized as I was well into getting things checked through, that I had left my reusable grocery bags in the car.  I felt somewhat disappointed in myself for doing this.  I have also found myself lately getting cups of coffee after having forgotten my travel mug at home or at work.  In my efforts to be prepared to make small choices that favor taking care of the environment, I have taken some steps to participate a lifestyle that supports sustainability.  Yet, I am forgetting to use the basic materials I have in place to live that way.

As I reflect on Earth Day today, I have to admit that to whatever degree I have tried to prepare, I have also failed at being mindful.  Mindfulness is often defined as remembering; remembering to come back to the breath, remembering to come back to the present moment, or remembering to follow through on choices that align with ones desires to be of service to the environment.

Today I make the following aspiration in honor of Earth Day, in honor of the planet, in honor of the community and in honor to this human body.


For the sake of all beings
I aspire to remember
the earth and my community
in the choices that I make
each and every day.

May the choices that I
make in a small way
help create harmonious connections
that aid in the environmental health
of the larger community and the planet as a whole.

Dear Earth, may I remember you
so that I do not forget you
as I use the resources we have
taken from you.

May we all continue to live
here and make you our home
for may years and generations to come.


Sincerely,

Mike Munro