Lately, I have been thinking a long while about the noise of the world ~the way we so quickly try to tell one another what to do, what to eat, and who to become. It’s a curious thing, isn't it? The desire to shape another's thoughts for them. I don’t believe life works in such a forced way. I think we each come to our truths in our own time, in our own way, and in our own quiet corners. I don’t wish for someone to stand over me, and I certainly don't wish to stand over anyone else.
There is a freedom in the simple act of choosing. If one’s heart ~and budget~ leads them toward a plate of radishes, baked beans, and bacon, then that is exactly where they should be. It is okay. Living close to the earth is a deeply personal journey, one that looks different for every set of hands that works the soil. The gardens and animals we tend to, the rewards, are that much more meaningful.
And yet, there is a softening that happens when we walk a path bound up with nature. When we try to empathize with the earth, we begin to see the sentience in the beings around us. We see the fear, the distress, and the very real feelings of the creatures we share this space with. It makes us a bit more respectful, doesn't it? A bit more thoughtful about the plate.
Each person gets to decide. I believe that today as much as I ever have. But I also believe in the power of paying attention ~to where things come from, and the relationship we want to cultivate with the farmer or the wild around us.
