Touching the Sacred—via the Internet
    I am feeling thankful for my experience with www.TheEarthConnection.org.  ’Doing’ this website has had an effect on me that I might have wished for, but didn’t really trust would happen. As I delve into the works of poets, scientists, naturalists, and photographers, and create my postings–I find that I am changing, deepening actually. Â
     I find I am actually living in a state of greater love for the earth than usual, because of the website.  More sensitized to the natural world around me, I am more apt to notice birds singing, and I revel (yes, revel!) in their music.  When I learn that something terrible has been done to a grove of ancient trees or to some animals, I am more able to let myself feel the pain of it. I have less need to attempt to harden myself against news that is too painful to bear. Â
    In announcing to the world, through the site, that the earth is my passion, I have challenged myself to live from that passion.  While I have always felt a strong love for nature, only now have I put that love at the center of my creative work life. My enviromental activity is no longer relegated to the edges, with the core of my life consumed by work I care far less about.  Â
    So now the earth is at the center of my work and creative life. And while I may not make a living doing the site, it’s a true expression of the best I have to offer to the world and myself.  Â
    Launching the site has been a surprising journey. A VERY slow learner when it comes to technology, I have struggled with virtually every aspect of managing the site. So I was skeptical that the Internet, of all things, could help me connect more deeply with nature. But of course it’s not just the Internet. It’s the way the Internet has enabled me to share with all of you, who also love the earth, and who take note of my postings.  Contact with you is both heartening and scary, as I put my heart out there for the world to see. But it’s deeply good for me. I thank you–and the Internet. Yay, Al Gore, Inventor of the Internet!–April Moore Â
June 18th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Thank you, Dear April, for sharing from your open, gentle, vulmerable heart-self. You have challenged me, inspired me, made me angry, made me think, made me act, made me reflect. In sharing your journey, your have contributed to mine. May you continue to love and explore and share and grow.
June 18th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
April, I’m glad that you are getting so much out of this. I know I am as well. I am more attuned to Nature. It helps being out of Washington and on the coast of Nova Scotia! We have plenty of shore birds and song birds (including hummers!), even a pheasant whose crow resounds throughout the day, as well as chipmunks, racoons, and deer. A neigbor even reported seeing a cougar! Mostly I love the quiet, the simple ability to hear myself think. The best to you and Andy. Todd
June 20th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Thanks for your comments, Todd. Your coastal Nova Scotia environment sounds refreshing and restoring! I once biked around the Nova Scotia coast and was quite enchanted by it. Sounds like you’re drinking deeply of the beauty surrounding you!