Lifelong Learning

Original reflection written September 27, 2021, polished on February 18, 2026.

Earth is our teacher

After reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, I felt so grateful, grounded and energized.  I strongly recommend reading and listening to it, absorbing it through sight and sound.  And once you do, if you do, I would love to hear your thoughts. Here are mine.

Indigenous people of every land have much to teach those who follow.  Moreover, all elements of every place have wisdom to share. We humans have just recently arrived on this planet and as such we should explore life humbly and with appreciation for our world.

Instead of boasting the title “most intelligent”, I propose we embody the role “most curious”.  Acting responsibly toward our teachers and taking great care of our classrooms. The air, land, water, and all its offerings deserve our respect.

In our current state of instantaneous acquisition and immediate satisfaction we miss the immense growth and enrichment of thoughtful observation and imaginative analysis. The plants, minerals, soil, water and other animals do not share their wisdom on the Internet - thank goodness - as they do not speak in human tongues. Nonetheless everything communicates and interacts.

We, humans, need to slow down and pay attention. We have so much more to learn and share.

Here are links for those interested in more information about Humans and Nature, Braiding Sweetgrass, and/or Robin Wall Kimmerer