Eutierria

All life is temporary. Some people thus ask why we should bother making an effort. The answer to that is life is a personal discovery. You may leave behind a legacy with a view to making things better for those that follow on after you (the essence of education is to learn and improve, etc). It is also to do with experiencing emotions and the senses. Life must be lived to the fullest to really grasp its importance. Memories and sending messages is also another answer.

How might you experience eutierria?

Perhaps you already have. One way might be going deep into nature, using all your senses to hear, see, smell, feel, and even taste the engulfing and enriching natural world in all its depth and splendor, creating a moment when the sensing mind quiets and overtakes the thinking mind. I believe under such conditions, it’s actually rather easy to forget the self and instead become so wrapped up in sensing that ironically you, the sensor, disappear into the sensuous world of nature.

It is interesting to note that experiencing nature and being one with it features heavily in Nomadic Folk Art. American Indian culture respects nature above all else. The concept is significantly intertwined with the society’s beliefs regarding spirituality, both of which act as vital defining aspects of their understanding and way of life.

Native Americans operate under the conviction that all objects and elements of the earth—both living and nonliving—have an individual spirit that is part of the greater soul of the universe. This principle adheres to a religion called Animism, which is categorised by the belief in and worship of this overarching spirituality. Native American culture is fiercely devoted to respecting and honoring the spirit of the land and everything with which it provides them.

All Native American culture can determine for sure is that life is sacred, and it comes from the land, which implies that Mother Earth is also divine. This notion clearly colors every work of art they produce. I do not live like a Native American Indian. I have, however, incorporated nature into my art and I have a profound love of wild untouched scenery (mountains, lakes, fjords, etc)

Here are a few things you can do to help the earth

• Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Cut down on what you throw away. Follow the three “R’s” to conserve natural resources and landfill space.
• Volunteer. Volunteer for cleanups in your community. You can get involved in protecting your watershed, too.
• Educate. When you further your own education, you can help others understand the importance and value of our natural resources.
• Conserve water. The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater that eventually end up in the ocean.
• Choose sustainable. Learn how to make smart seafood choices at www.fishwatch.gov.
• Shop wisely. Buy less plastic and bring a reusable shopping bag.
• Use long-lasting light bulbs. Energy efficient light bulbs reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also flip the light switch off when you leave the room!
• Plant a tree. Trees provide food and oxygen. They help save energy, clean the air, and help combat climate change.
• Don’t send chemicals into our waterways. Choose non-toxic chemicals in the home and office.
• Bike more. Drive less.

Here are some quotes to inspire you…

• “You have this one life. How do you wanna spend it? Apologizing? Regretting? Questioning? Hating yourself? Running after people who don’t see you? Be brave. Believe in yourself. Do what feels good. Take risks. You have this one life. Make yourself proud.”
• “Life is too short to live with regrets.”
• “You are the author of your own life story.”
• “Take the leap and chase your dreams.”
• “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need, but not every man’s greed”