This I Believe

I Believe All Creatures Have Purpose

I believe that our relationship to nature and the animals is the most important relationship human’s forge because they determine how we are with each other. It is this relationship that gives us a deeper meaning of, and helps define our place in the world. I believe our attitudes towards animals and nature determines the human condition. I believe this relationship either grounds and sooths us, connects us to the universal energy that exists in the precious and fragile web of life, or devastates us. I believe the animals are our teachers, for they, like music and art, are the greatest gifts upon the earth, and like song leaving the lips of children, have been given freely, as they give to us. I believe like children, animals trust us, and how we treat their trust determines many things about our own peace, happiness, and harmony in the world.

As a child, I found great comfort from the chaos and tumult of family conflict, in the huge brown eyes of the cows down the road. I delighted when I came near them. Just the smell filled me with a sense of coming home, as cousin Robert and I walked hand in hand for our daily visit. They all gathered round as curious as we were. It was the first time I felt the stickiness of their sandpaper tongues as they licked the salt off our hands. We giggled. What fun it was to see hens scratching in the dirt, flinging it over themselves in the warmth of the sun. I believe chickens are incredible mothers after watching them teach and protect their babies. I believe they love their young as deeply as human mothers love theirs. I believe I underestimated the power of animals and the quantum energy from their presence on earth. The pigs, the chickens, the cows, the whales, the lions and tigers, even the bugs have special meaning in the larger circle of life. They’re existence makes the world a miracle. Imagine all the miracles we ever wanted, needed, are right there in nature, waiting for us to realize the true meaning of our connection. I believe we should think of them as our extended family. They are mothers, fathers, siblings, and desire to live the sweetness of family life in undisturbed habitats meant for them.

I believe we may never understand the intricacies of nature, except that there is purpose for every single life form, every single earthling, regardless of how microscopic, or mammoth they are. I believe humans have overstepped our boundaries and licensed freedoms that collide with natural law. I believe in live and let live, and that the garden provides us with all the nourishment required. The rest is for the animals to balance. I believe humans are out of balance and all the technology, math and science will never replace the one thing that makes us whole, our reverence for life and stewardship of this miracle of which we are a fragment.

I believe Gandhi, when he said, “the greatness of a nation and its true moral progress can be judged by the way animals are treated.” I believe St. Francis of Assisi, who said,” If you have people who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have people who will deal likewise with each other.”

I believe that I will die leaving a world of chaos and pain because we refuse to learn that we are not the dominators of nature and the animals, we are partners. I believe Mother Earth is crying for her loved ones, crying for relief. Does anyone hear ?