Have you had those days where different things of the same theme keep appearing before you? That nudge, of, ‘here, I want you to notice this…’

It started with a discussion on our provincial climate state of very hot and dry summers, which have caused major forest fires this year. Fires that started earlier than normal. B.C. is known for its forests and timber, and fires are happening more frequently and for longer duration as we just haven’t been getting the rain we used to. Other areas of the planet have also suffered severely with fires, such as Greece, Australia and California. It’s very concerning, naturally.

A few days later, I was reading again, Eckhart Tolle’s book, The Power of Now. The pages I read talks about Freedom From Unhappiness (beginning on page 77). Some negative emotions we have is “polluting not only your own inner being and those around you but also the collective human psyche of which you are an inseparable part. The pollution of the planet is only an outward reflection of an inner psychic pollution: millions of unconscious individuals not taking responsibility for their inner space.” It also says, ‘any negative inner state is contagious: Unhappiness spreads more easily than a physical disease…. Are you polluting the world or cleaning up the mess? You are responsible for the planet. As within, so without: If humans clear inner pollution, then they will also cease to create outer pollution.”

The very next morning, I came across a post on Instagram, from Refinery29. This post explains a term called Eco-anxiety: ‘a chronic fear of environmental doom.’ There is an accompanying article to go along with it (linked) and out of curiosity, I had to follow the nudge to see what further dots could be connected here. The article is one person’s coping mechanisms for this anxiety. Small actions any one person can accomplish and perhaps tip the scales. Gratitude. Tending to the earth. Learning about how the Indigenous people cared for the land, plants and produce. How someone can “contribute the least amount of harm to the planet and its people.”

I noticed a link between what I read in The Power of Now and this article from Refinery29 being ‘caring’. Clear inner pollution / care for the land with gratitude. The care and attention we give to our inner space will come across in the appreciation and gratitude we show to the earth. As within so without.

I reflect on the week’s events and like to think the nudges were reminding me not to get caught up in the doom and gloom. Two sources appeared to help with some feelings of worry. Reminding me I can choose and create my inner space.

Sending Love,

Devon