From The Beginning, This Culture - Civilization

A Culture That Values Production Over Life Values The Wrong Things, Because It Will Produce Things At The Expense Of Living Beings, Human Or Otherwise.

All We Want, Whether We Are Honeybees, Salmon, Trash-collecting Ants, Ponderosa Pines, Coyotes, Human Beings, Or Stars, Is To Love And Be Loved, To Be Accepted, Cherished, And Celebrated Simply For Being Who We Are. Is That So Very Difficult?

I Am Only So Beautiful As The Character Of My Relationships, Only So Rich As I Enrich Those Around Me, Only So Alive As I Enliven Those I Greet.

We Can Follow The Example Of Those Who Remembered That The Role Of An Activist Is Not To Navigate Systems Of Oppressive Power With As Much Integrity As Possible, But Rather To Confront And Take Down Those Systems.

If We Celebrate Life With All Its Contradictions, Embrace, Experience, And Ultimately Live With It, A Chance Exists For A Spiritual Life Filled Not Only With Pain And Untidiness, But Also With Joy, Community, And Creativity.