10/18/2023
“If we visit a school of Native people at the beginning or end of the week, we will witness another core element of indigenous culture. It logically stems from seeing the world as a gift and is called the Thanksgiving Address.
Firstly, children express gratitude to the earth, which provides us with everything. Despite being wounded by humans, it continues to support us. Secondly, they thank water. Then, fish, food plants, medicine herbs, trees, and the like. Westerners sometimes witness a Thanksgiving Address and suppose the list is too long. Kimmerer only sympathizes with them. They can’t even imagine how much we can be grateful for.
This habit has revolutionary power. It shows people how wealthy they are, having more than enough. Isn't it an antidote to consumer society? The latter rests on scarcity, telling people what they don't have, like a new video game or smartphone model. It aims to create unmet desires because that's how it earns money. Moreover, it persuades us that only commodities bring satisfaction. As a result, we believe our happiness depends on the number of possessions. On the contrary, the Thanksgiving Address contributes to the ethic of fullness. It's a culture of gratitude's credo and effective medicine for our attitude toward nature.
What's more, instead of highlighting our autonomy, it concentrates on our interdependence. Philosophers have warned us about a special type of sadness — “species loneliness.” It's the consequence of separation from nature and placing ourselves at the top of the hierarchy. Yet it was our choice. So, we can change it — thank Mother Earth and pick up where we have left off. This small habit may become a step toward transforming our societies into cultures of gratitude.”
What’s inside Discover the principles that can heal our relationship with nature, helping us to feel at one with the world around us and save the planet for future generations. You’ll learn • About the best land healers • What a de...
