Celebrating Earth Day 2024

With ups and downs in weather, Spring, the season of rebirth, broke out afresh after being quiescent throughout the winter months. Nature welcomed spring rains that brought verdant landscapes and blossoming flowers. Even the calendar has celebrated springtime each year on April 22nd. Since 1970, billions of people across the globe have celebrated Earth Day, an annual event to support the cause of environmental protection. 

This year's Earth Day theme is "Planet vs. Plastics". It is a theme that has been wrestled with for years. According to earthday.org, the goal this year is "to reduce the production of plastics by 60% in 2040 and ultimately build a plastic-free future". Our children deserve a better world and so does our planet. As residents of the earth, we are its stewards. This year's initiative strives to rid the earth of plastics "for the sake of human and planetary health." Many educators have created lessons and events to honor the earth by bringing the message of stewardship to their students. The artwork below is the 2024 NASA Earth Day poster that can be visible in classrooms.  "It is composed with real satellite imagery from NASA's Terra, Aqua, and Landsat missions." 

In 2019, a 32-foot, 2500-pound hand-crafted metal sculpture was installed at Jones Beach on Long Island, NY. Jonesy the Whale has its own Twitter (X) account. I remember when it was first installed. Recycled plastic bottles were stuffed inside to remind us of our civic duty to protect our world.

You can see the YouTube video, The Story of Jonesy the Humpback Whale Jones Beach, Long Island here.

Stewardship

springtime spills over in abundance - we are stewards of the earth

observe the verdant landscape and smell fragrant buds blossoming

pause, breathe in winds of change needed for future generations 

©CVarsalona, 2024, sijo poem

Slice of Life Thought for the Day After Earth Day:

"Plastic pollution-free world is not a choice but a commitment to life - a commitment to the next generation. - Amit Ray

INVITATION

Please consider offering one image poem, photography, or inspirational quote on springtime or Earth Day for my

Padlet and later Gallery of Artistic Expressions.

Students' work is welcomed.

Three more image poems by Tricia Stohr-Hunt, Linda Baie, and Bridget Magee have been added. 

Thank you Two Writing Teachers for the space to add my slice of life.

The Easter Triduum

Last night started the Sacred Tridum, a solemn three-day period leading to Easter Sunday. These final days of Lent are honored by my family each year. I offer a sigo poem from today's Good Friday service,  7 Last Words.

A sigo consists of three lines of 14-16 syllables each. Each line contains a pause near the middle. The first half of the line contains six to nine syllables; the second half should contain no fewer that five syllables. The first line introduces an idea or story, the second supplies a turn, and the third provides closure.  

 The Sacred Tridumm

Disciples gathered at the Lord's supper unaware

treachery brewed within, scourging, crowning with thorns, crucifixion

until Resurrection Sunday when a miracle evolved.

Draft©CVarsalona, March 2024, sigo

icon written by Julia Stankova

gathering of friends

sleeping not waiting

as requested

do we also not listen

not hear spoken words

time to awaken and renew commitment

©CVarsalona, March 2024, cherita

Thank you arjeha, aka Bob Hamera, for suggesting a sijo poem. 

I offer this Slice of Life to Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Story Challenge.

Day 29. The month-long writing challenge is nearing an end. I am delighted to have met new slicers while chatting with writers who have become friends.

Spiritual Abundance-Spiritual Journey Thursday

Today, six weeks since my first cataract surgery, I eagerly returned to my yoga practice. Upon entering the session, I felt energized and knew the experience would be a renewal of mind, body, and spirit. As soon as the teacher started the session, I settled into a sacred space of quiet and peace. I listened to the soft music, the sound of my breath, and the instructor's voice. She invited us to think about the concept of abundance as we arrived on the mat. I paused to indulge in the moment. Returning to the mat was a gift, an appreciation of life. 

 Abundance Upon Arrival

Come to the mat, a sacred place of tranquility.

Feel the energy. Indulge in self-love upon arrival.

Listen to each breath and be filled with appreciation.

©CVarsalona, 2022

(Sijo poem)

Click on Enhance Self Love Healing Music and meditate.

With much appreciation for the gift of abundance upon arrival, I offer the following scripture verse from 2 Corinthians 9:8 to close my day. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Abundance from above graces earth and all its being. Let us become aware of abundance as a heavenly gift. I am grateful and appreciative that the spirit of abundance fell upon me this morning in a serendipitous manner.

May all my readers and the Spiritual Journey Thursday community find an abundance of love this weekend. Happy Mother's Day!

💮💮💮

Thank you author-educator Susan Koehler for hosting Spiritual Journey Thursday today and offering her thoughts in prose and poetry. You can join me at Susan's blog, Susan Koehler Writes.