Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Some Thoughts About Earth Our home

With the miracle of Spring happening all around us at the moment, who can not notice the beauty of the Earth.

Trees are bursting into their blossomy leafy cloaks once again and primroses decorate grassy banks  The days are filled with sweet song of robin, blackbird, thrush and the tap tapping of the woodpecker down in the little wood has returned. It's a beautiful sound to hear, calming and comforting as bees humming from flower to flower. I've seen brimstone butterflies, bumble bees/dumbledores and many native species ladybirds. The moths have returned at night fluttering against my window. Their eyes reflect my desk lamp and glow like tiny fairy fire embers. New life is everywhere and of course soon the glorious hawthorn will grace us with her white magic. One of my favourite sights and the smell...heaven.

The other day I imagined if the leaves on the trees didn't arrive... What if no flowers came into bloom, no birdsong, no bees. What if we waited and waited but Spring just didn't happen?  A horrible scary thought indeed.  But we do take everything so for granted. We put such importance on things that really aren't. How can so much value be put on a diamond when water is worth so much more?


 It made me think of these words...

Only after the last tree has been cut down
Only after the last river has been poisoned
Only after the last fish has been caught
Only then will you find money cannot be eaten
~Cree Prophecy~

Saturday like many people we lit candles and marked Earth Hour. A small statement for change some would say, but change is what is needed. I believe we should all strive to live by the Earth Commandments.

Thou shalt love and honor the Earth for it blesses thy life and governs thy survival.
Thou shalt keep each day sacred to the Earth and celebrate the turning of its seasons.
Thou shalt not hold thyself above other living things nor drive them to extinction.
Thou shalt give thanks for thy food to the creatures and plants that nourish thee.
Thou shalt limit thy offspring for multitudes of people are a burden unto the Earth.
Thou shalt not kill nor waste Earth's riches upon weapons of war.
Thou shalt not pursue profit at the Earth's expense but strive to restore its damaged majesty.
Thou shalt not hide from thyself or others the consequences of thy actions upon the Earth.
Thou shalt not steal from future generations by impoverishing or poisoning the Earth.
Thou shalt consume material goods in moderation so all may share Earth's bounty.

 Ernest Callenbach







'The Song Of The Earth Is Love'  is the title of my Aceo for Japan.
 
It will be for sale in my Etsy shop
shortly and all money will go to
the Red Cross appeal.
Again like all Aceo's it measures
2.5 x 3.5 inches. It is a pencil
drawing on moleskine paper with
some acrylic paint added.

A tiny gesture that I can offer as I can't begin to imagine how those people affected
by the earthquake and tsunami are feeling.

Small things do make a difference. From where we buy our vegetables, eggs, tea,
coffee, are they free range? is it fairtrade? What about our shampoo and toiletries?
(I always prefer natural things and products not tested on animals)
Even just our small choices which we might think insignificant affect the bigger
picture so we must remember to be mindful when we choose.

I was contacted a while a go to do a review on here. Now I wouldn't normally
agree,  But this company Novica I did find inspiring so I thought yes,
why not and the fact that they have offered a gift voucher which I can give as
a blog giveaway prize was enticing. :-)
So why did I find them inspiring and who are they?
Novica are an online company in association with National Geographic who promote
Fair Trade by Artists and Artisans from around the world enabling them to make a
living by sharing and selling their products. There are some beautiful things to buy
there. Wood sculptures masks, rugs, jewellery, stationary, bags. ceramics, paintings,
weavings, drums, musical instrments... take a look at the coporate gifts
section. I particularly fell in love with these by Mexican artist Marco Polo


And I love this solar wind
one.
               here.




More favourites of mine are the eco friendly products
If you would like a chance of winning a gift voucher for $75 to use on the Novica
site, then just leave me a comment and I'll pick a winner in a couple of weeks time.

Until next time tread lightly and good luck x

 If you would like to find out more about Novica and their fair trade products
have a look here:
http://corporate-gifts.novica.com
http://microfinance.novica.com/
http://eco-friendly.novica.com/
http://www.novicalive.com/
 

17 comments:

  1. As I read your beautiful words, with such magical music playing, I got goosebumps up and down. Your post today is very moving and important. Thank you also for the links to Novica. Blessings to you!

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  2. I love hawthorn too, although I know some people find the scent rather cloying and soapy but I never tire of it. I love the scent of elderflowers as well - something to look forward to.

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  3. Spring has sprung indeed. It's lovely to see the birds building their nests in the trees above.

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  4. I would love the chance to win eco- friendly products. i already use a lot--many of which I make myself--even my shampoo.

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  5. Spring seems to be slow to get started here in Virginia. I'm hoping that the rain we're supposed to get over the next couple of days will nudge things along.

    Beautiful giveaway.

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  6. Hello! I only just discovered your blog today and wanted to say how much I have enjoyed looking at your art already. Thank you for sharing your lovely pictures

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  7. Oh, I was thinking to leave you a comment as I read this and saw your lovely ACEO for Japan, but now there's a giveaway as an added bonus! I've come across the Cree proverb before, but not these ten commandments. These little bits of text are always great to tack up someplace you'll see them often, to keeps these ideas always close to mind. It's lovely to think of the moths returning... I've already seen a few big bumblebees as well. Warm spring wishes to you!

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  8. What a horrid thought 'spring not arriving!' I think we use and abuse this beautiful planet of ours and sometimes she just can't take any more. This is a lovely post, thank you.
    love
    Lyn
    xxx

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  9. A very thought provoking post. I love the dawn chorus at this time of year....natures alarm clock. So beautiful. Dev x

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  10. What an inspiring post! Thank you so much for sharing. I have been worrying about a small, but persistent financial problem lately, and your post really puts things in perspective for me. With your words, I'm starting this day anew and opening my eyes to the wonders around me, instead of worrying about things that really don't matter after all.

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  11. beautiful art
    beautiful words to ponder and heed
    thanks for the lovely post

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  12. Yes it's the small things that can add up to making a big difference. This message is all about doing whatever you can do and looks like you're on the right track. I looked at the Novica website and it looks like a smart idea. Cheers for the link. Love your beautiful little painting as well.

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  14. I can't believe I haven't come across you before, Karen! Thanks for following me on Twitter and I'll reciprocate of course. Your work is beautiful - if I were an artist, just how I'd hope to reproduce and honour the magic all around me. It's funny but when out walking the other day, I had exactly that thought - what if one year, spring didn't happen? By autumn, would we all be dead? Scary - and worth remembering, though I do try never to take anything for granted. Lovely to hook up with you and I really do love your art - thank you! Bright blessings on a beautiful day xx

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  15. Robin...I felt the need to do this post and if it has a slight difference to just one person and makes them stop and think, then I have achieved something :) Happy spring blessings to you too x

    Caravanartist...Oh I also love the scent of elderflowers too. Ice cold elderflower cordial is rather delicious too.

    April...Birdsong is beautiful right now isn't it. Lovely to see you back again April x

    HollyM...
    That's great that you make your own shampoo.Wonderful!

    Dyche designs...
    Today here has been hot like summer. Hope you're Spring hurries up and arrives soon. :)

    Verseblack... Thank you! and welcome x

    Jodi... That's a good idea, I might write them out as you say and put them up in the house where all can read. :)

    Lyn... Sadly we do, but we can make a difference if we each do our bit x

    The fairy glade... Oh so do I! Isn't it stunning this time of year. I woke early the other day and went outside to hear it.

    Cymru...
    I have had many of those worries too in the not so distant past. Hugs to you x

    Deborah... Thanks :) x

    Bunnits...Thank you x

    Kerry O Gorman... Yes it does all help, so we must keep doing! :)x

    Kit..Thank you! :) It's lovely to link up with you too. Good luck with the new book! x

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  16. Really lovely post,very thoughtful and inspiring,thanks !

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Thanks so much you for leaving me a comment.
It's great to hear from you! :-)