Mother Nature Reaching The Edge of Silence

By Frosty Wooldridge
8-23-15

In the corner of my office, near my computer, a white marble statue stands against a dark blue velvet cloth to create a dramatic contrast. The statue?

(Beautifully sculpted Spirit Horse made out of metal junk such as spark plugs, forks, knives, spoons, springs, dinner plates, wrenches, pot tops and so much more. Hill City, South Dakota.)  Photography by Frosty Wooldridge

As a college sophomore, my humanities professor introduced me to the eminent Italian sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s magnificent work: Hades (the monarch of hell) capturing Persephone (goddess of spring). He drags her into the underworld to mark the beginning of winter and she escapes to herald the coming of spring.

Greek gods and goddesses represent humanity’s struggles with survival, loss and triumph. While Persephone may have been the princess of the underworld, she also represented the fertility of spring via vegetation. The struggle between good and evil in ancient times cascades into the 21^st century with a vengeance on the world stage.

Today, you see chaos among civilizations. You may note the destruction of the natural world. You may notice the environment taking a beating from humanity’s injecting chemicals and carbon footprint 24/7. You may see cruelty to animals, children and other life forms. As you watch the news on your television nightly or stare into your smart phone, it becomes exasperating beyond understanding.

On a personal level, you may find yourself struggling with a relationship, friends and family. Your job disgusts you or fellow employees irritate you daily. Life may not “click” the way you intended during your high school or college years. You never imagined the kinds of predicaments you face today.

Take heed your birth into the American culture. Remember your advantages and challenges. Each arrives daily. Everyone suffers them and everyone must face them.

“Cultures have long heard wisdom in non-human voices: Apollo, god of music, medicine and knowledge, came to Delphi in the form of a dolphin. But dolphins, which fill the oceans with blipping and chirping, and whales, which mew and caw in ultramarine jazz - a true rhapsody in blue - are hunted to the edge of silence.” Jay Griffiths

No matter what happens in your life, you enjoy the ability to speak up and speak out. You may take action. Or, you may cower in the face of danger. You may retreat to drugs and alcohol. You may spend too much time inside a television or smart phone.

As you note from the Griffiths’ quote, most other creatures on this planet lack the ability to choose to escape their predicament or fight their way out of it.

You live in a country that encourages you to change your conditions. You live in a society that aids you in education, health and well-being. You may thrive in this society with five simple choices.

First, choose hope over despair. “Hope” creates higher mental and emotional resonation throughout the cells of your body. Where you face defeat by someone else’s hand or a situation, take action toward integrity, honor and justice.

Second, blame no one. Honor everyone. Move toward those who live lives with your same values. For example, if someone betrays you, lies to you or cheats you—move toward people and a job that fits your needs.

Third, join organizations taking action against those who might desecrate the world. You may engage the worldwide movement to restore sanity toward the natural world. If someone would kill a dolphin or whale or hummingbird with weapons or chemicals—others feel the same way you feel to stop it. Join them or start your own organization to take action toward the positive.

Fourth, during your struggles on your life journey, balance your body, mind and spirit with exercise, education and walks in the woods. Connect with the natural vibrations of the universe. Know that you will move through the difficult challenges into the light because you either follow someone you respect or you lead everyone who respects you.

Finally, in this world, no matter what disasters or mayhem you see around you, decide to take the “high road” toward your highest and best. By taking that road, you shine with life-giving vibrational frequencies that attract others to you.

An old Roman philosopher Epictetus said it best, “Tentative efforts lead to tentative outcomes. Therefore give yourself fully to your endeavors. Decide to conduct your character through excellent actions and determine to pay the price for a worthy goal. The trials you encounter will introduce you to your strengths. Remain steadfast. One day you will build something that endures; something worthy of your potential.”

As I look out the window of my office, I am confident that spring transforms the world.