Plant a Tree
Today, my heart is so heavy I am tempted to hide away and let the horror of this past week’s events wash over me. But as I lay in bed scrolling through the recent headlines, I have my young son snuggled up next to me and I know that isn’t an option. Not for me, not for him, not for any of us.
So today, I am going to plant a tree. It may not be much but for me, it will be a radical act of defiance as well as profound investment in hope.
None of us knows if that actions that we take today will ultimately bear fruit. I think that is part of some of the inherently flawed thinking that has gotten us into so much trouble in today’s world. We tell ourselves ‘I am only going to go something if I can be guaranteed my desired outcome’ or the more sanitised but equally dangerous shorthand, ‘what will be the return on my investment?’ We have embraced short-term (personal, tangible) gain for far too long and not seen investment as something that we may never personally reap but that is far, far more important than our own lives or immediate rewards.
I wonder if, in all the brilliance of Dr Martin Muther King, he got something very wrong. So inspiring is the quote ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.’ that President Obama had it woven into a rug in the oval office. But did such a noble concept inadvertently allow complacency to take root instead? Did we as a larger society think that because progress had been made on some fronts that those steps could never be undone? That because society was perceived to be on the path of steady improvement, we could be assured it would stay so with minimal input? Did it allow those with privilege to belittle and ignore the cries of injustice from those still suffering under an unequal system, dismissing their plight by telling them and ourselves to just be grateful as it is so much better than it was back in the day? Did we not realise how fragile the ties that hold a society together were?
The violent and hateful actions that we are seeing splash across our media channels this week had their seeds planted long ago. Some hundreds of years ago, some more recently crossed with new strains of threatened entitlement and notions of false victimhood, all whilst still controlling all meaningful institutions of our society and economy. But just as those roots run deep, so too can we tap into the strength of that which has come before us and cultivate our own efforts to restore balance and health to our societal environments.
I wanted to summarise this concept into my own words but upon googling the topic for clarity, I think this gentleman’s explanation is more appropriate.
Seventh Generation
From Seann Sweeny Blog post on Native Insight
“Many of us have heard of the term ‘seventh generation.’ The words come from the Constitution of the Iroquois Nation.
A common, summarized and short version of ‘seventh generation’ derived from the Constitution of the Iroquois Nation that most of us have heard of is ‘In every deliberation, we must consider the impact on the seventh generation… even if it requires having skin as thick as the bark of a pine.’ The Constitution of the Iroquois Nation (The Great Binding Law) explains ‘seventh generation’ philosophy as follows: ‘The thickness of your skin shall be seven spans — which is to say that you shall be proof against anger, offensive actions and criticism. Your heart shall be filled with peace and goodwill and your mind filled with a yearning for the welfare of the people of the Confederacy.
With endless patience, you shall carry out your duty and your firmness shall be tempered with tenderness for your people. Neither anger nor fury shall find lodgement in your mind and all your words and actions shall be marked with calm deliberation. In all of your deliberations in the Confederate Council, in your efforts at law making, in all your official acts, self-interest shall be cast into oblivion. Cast not over your shoulder behind you the warnings of the nephews and nieces should they chide you for any error or wrong you may do, but return to the way of the Great Law which is just and right. Look and listen for the welfare of the whole people and have always in view not only the present but also the coming generations, even those whose faces are yet beneath the surface of the ground — the unborn of the future Nation.’
This philosophy is not unique to just the Iroquois nation. Many Native American nations and tribes and other indigenous people around the world have and still do live by this philosophy as well. They may not explicitly call it ‘seventh generation’ thinking but it is evident through their oral (and now written) histories, actions, and ways of life that they share this important, virtuous and selfless way of life as well.”
Can you even imagine if all our elected officials – on both sides of the Atlantic – steeled themselves with skin as thick as seven layers of pine bark to give them the strength to do the right thing for not just the present society but also the unborn future of their nations?!
It is understandable to feel overwhelmed when hatred and violence burst forth in ways not familiar to many in today’s world. But as important as it is to grieve, to mourn and to feel fear, let us also endeavour to plant seeds of investment for a better future that we may not personally benefit from. Yes, support the ACLU and protest and vote. Yes, organise for the vulnerable in your communities and for better public and environmental policies immediately. But also, even if it just to combat rising feelings of helplessness and despair, invest in something with an unknown outcome that fosters hope.
So, I am off to the garden centre to find some seeds. Maybe they will be for wildflowers, or fruit trees or a mighty oak. And I will go into my local woodland and do what I can in hope that one day some insect, animal or human may benefit. And I will never know, but it will have been worth it to know that maybe, just maybe my actions today could bring nourishment, joy or shelter to another at some unknown point in the future.
So today, in the face of despair…I need to choose hope. It may seem small and futile but perhaps if we all saw investment in the future with a view longer than our own personal benefit, we may just make the horror of today’s headlines less able to take root and deny them the toxic nutrients that they need to thrive today.
