Time For Introspection

I used to have sleepless nights over the pollution that we human beings were inflicting on the Earth. I used to obsess over the waste created in everyday life. 

Once, while discussing my anxieties with a friend, his comments brought things into perspective. "Don't worry about the Earth. It will take care of itself. If you've to worry about someone, worry about the human race. That's the one to suffer by the changes it's creating.' Wise words, those!

I realized how vulnerable we are. If we don't understand the implications of our actions, we're the ones who'll suffer. The Earth will recover. It always has. We've to change the narrative. 

It's not the Earth that needs saving. It's us!

The Earth has always been there and will always be. 

With or without you. 

You need the Earth. 

The Earth doesn’t need you. 

You think you are high and mighty. 

Forces of nature are mightier than you. 

You think you are invincible.

Stop kidding yourself!

Act to save the human race.

Now!!!

Lessons To Humanity From Corona Virus

Lesson#1- The world is interconnected: 

We share the world with other living beings.
Illustration: When I couldn't find a picture I wanted, I decided to draw one :)

It is said that if a leaf flutters at one end of the world, its effects can be felt at the other end. We often dismiss such thoughts as fancy poetic musings. That's understandable because frankly speaking, we can't even feel the tremors of an earthquake half the world away - forget about fluttering of a minuscule leaf!

But when a pandemic like Corona virus arises, we are able to see the links more clearly. Somewhere in Far East, a virus was born and it brought the whole world to its knees. At the end of the ordeal, many of us will get affected by the pandemic - physically, economically and emotionally.  

How can this be? Why should the whole world get impacted by the happenings in one region? Because, voila! That's how the world has been functioning all through and will continue to function. 

"Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect."

Chief Seattle - Leader of a Native American Tribe

Scientists tell us that there are unknown microbes hidden within the permafrost of polar regions. As global temperatures rise and drilling and mining continue in polar regions, chances are that these microbes can be introduced to the world again. Corona virus did not come into effect due to global warming but it could well be a harbinger of things to come. 

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20170504-there-are-diseases-hidden-in-ice-and-they-are-waking-up

Whatever happened in Wuhan, China is affecting us. In a similar vein, whatever we do, affects the greenhouse gas balance around the world. Polar bears in the Arctic. Ocean creatures around the world. Amazon forests. Those helpless creatures don't have any infrastructure to fall back on, to create vaccines or to defend themselves in anyway. 

See the connections! Take responsibility for our actions. 

Lesson#2- Small is powerful too:

When we think of agents of natural disasters, we think of big disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and droughts. Who would have thought that a tiny virus, which is not even visible to the naked eye, could bring the world to its knees! We all know it now. Entire countries have shut down, with people being forced to live holed existence. 

Never underestimate the power of small. Every being has a role to play in the grand scheme of things. In this context, I'm reminded of a very topical poem by the famous Hindi poet Ayodhyasingh Upadhyaya Hariaudh. 

एक तिनका  मैं घमण्डों में भरा ऐंठा हुआ । एक दिन जब था मुण्डेरे पर खड़ा । आ अचानक दूर से उड़ता हुआ । एक तिनका आँख में मेरी पड़ा ।1। मैं झिझक उठा, हुआ बेचैन-सा । लाल होकर आँख भी दुखने लगी । मूँठ देने लोग कपड़े की लगे । ऐंठ बेचारी दबे पाँवों भगी ।2। जब किसी ढब से निकल तिनका गया । तब 'समझ' ने यों मुझे ताने दिए । ऐंठता तू किसलिए इतना रहा । एक तिनका है बहुत तेरे लिए ।3।

A Speck of Dust Full of conceit and pride I was standing at the parapet Suddenly a speck of dust came flying And landed in my eye I got restless My eye turned red and started burning People started fussing over my eye And my conceit evaporated in a flash When the speck of dust got out of my eye My mind ridiculed me no end What makes you so full of conceit,  A speck of dust was enough for you!

Respect all creatures. Learn to coexist. 

Lesson #3- Know your place in the world, be humble and thoughtful:

Every being has a place in the world. Human beings feel that they are the masters of the planet. How mistaken we are!

We are just a part of nature, as every other creature is. If we harm other creatures for our comfort, if we shamelessly pollute their habitat, plunder and ravage the elements, this scheme of things is bound to backfire on us. We shouldn't become so arrogant that we treat the Earth as a place to cater to our unending demands and a receptacle for our unending waste.

 Sharing The Planet
My 9 year old's depiction of my concept. She will soon be the illustrator for my blogs:)

Respect the resources. Consume less and hence pollute less.