As we unite today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we unfortunately can’t attend events in person, but we can join together in spirit to reflect and recharge for the future.
The new (ab)normal, for those of us who aren’t on the front lines in the fight against the pandemic, is to stay home, and to stay safe. Whilst that may seem hard because we’re social creatures at heart, it does afford us a chance to slow down our now accelerated pace of life. A chance we desperately need to realign our place within the natural world.
We simply must disconnect to reconnect.
Though it’s easier said than done, unplugging on a regular basis in this age of 24/7 communication is necessary. I personally feel most alive on the Power Walks I take several times per week. I don’t always visit the same location, but I do always end up on a path made up of dirt, grass, rocks, sand, or more often than not, by the water’s edge.
When I begin my journey, I literally feel my body shift, as it releases the stress of the day. My shoulders relax as the tension in my neck dissipates and my chest no longer feels tight. With each step I take, I begin to breathe easier and become conscious of my own heartbeat and surroundings…
As I take in the sounds, smells and beauty that surrounds me, I’m able to return to my most basic self. I’m no longer a public figure, or a celebrity with a blue check mark next to my name. I’m the young boy who used to climb trees and pick blackberries in the English countryside. I’m the man who can sit at the ocean’s edge for hours and watch the waves crash against the shore, as I think about life. I’m just Jules.
At the end of each walk, I silently pause, and reflect on all the friends and family that I have, who are with us today, and I also like to think of those who have passed, with great love, knowing they all walk beside me/us. And last but not least, Mother Earth, for her hospitality during my travels. I don’t for one minute take the privilege of her fresh air or stunning landscapes for granted, for I know, her beauty won’t last forever, if we don’t take action right now, as we can see, she is already hurting…
This practice of unwinding in nature is, without question, a spiritual positive. The Atlantic and Time Magazine both reported scientific studies that list multiple health benefits for simply spending time with Mother Earth.
Perhaps just as important as the physical boost, is the emotional connection we make with nature, which drives us to protect it from harm. When we experience nature first-hand, and remember that we are a part of it instead of apart from it, we develop a personal stake in its health and a responsibility to preserve it for generations to come.
The theme for Earth Day 2020 is ‘Climate Action’ and there’s never been a more urgent time to respond. We must listen to science. We must respect Native Wisdom. We must support decision makers who believe in climate change. We must embrace innovation that puts environmental considerations first. We must do whatever we can to prevent the further destruction of our natural resources.
When we emerge from this collective tragedy, we must recall this time and place, so we remember that we need to take a breather, to slow down more often, and to remind ourselves to truly appreciate the real treasures we’re afforded by sharing this planet, and by sharing each other’s company, through the good and bad….
It may be difficult to access a park or a beach in our current situation, but once it passes, return to nature and return often — she will be even more lush and vibrant from our absence. Travel back to a time when we all weren’t compelled to constantly check our social media pages or have a screen illuminated with the complexities of life displayed at every turn. A time when playing outside until the sun went down was the greatest feeling in the world. Even leave your technology at home, whilst walking, or at least turn it off, and just use it for taking pictures of the beauty that surrounds you, or loved ones, as a reminder… Of a time and a place…
Technology is a luxury, and can enrich our lives in many ways, and phones and computers can be replaced if they break, but Mother Earth, and our ecosystem cannot.
Above all else, love is what binds us…. We are One.
I, for one, am looking forward to the past….
Join me and take action on this milestone anniversary. Earthday.org offers a variety of ideas about how to get involved virtually during the quarantine. We also welcome your donation to The White Feather Foundation to Support Our Environment.
All photos by Julian Lennon. To see more of his photography, follow him on Instagram, @julespicturepalace.
Beautifully written. I’ve taken for granted the walks I use to take in the park or just walking from the train to work. Looking forward to the past too.
Very well said Jules. I relate to the feelings of a power walk or strolling in nature.Happy earth day!
Spoken from deep within your soul, Jules, thank you for your beautiful words, feelings, sentiment, & meaning. You are so right!!!
I for one am loving this lockdown. You can actually hear the songs of nature in our neighborhood rather than the sounds of cars passing. I wish more people took climate change more seriously but unfortunately most think it’s just natural evolution not humans polluting the air. I feel sorry for the future generations.
Beautifully said, Jules 💙 Miss my walks in the woods…just me and my furry friends! Observing and listening to the sights and sounds of Mother Nature 💚🦋🌿
Beautiful words and pictures.
Thank you Julian,
so beautifully written. Happy Earth Day! You definitely walk the walk, thank you for your inspiring words, words to live by.
I look forward everyday to your daily travels, reminds me of how important connecting with Mother Earth is. At times I feel like I can feel the ocean spray or feel the warmth of the sun through your photos.
Thank you for sharing on IG And FB 💙🌎🙏
May Julian be blessed for all things he does for our mother Earth and all of us. May his Foundation be blessed. By the way, three days ago I found a white feather on top of the stairs in my house. They are the stairs that take me to the yard. Such a bless to live in a house with yard full of trees. It was touching because only two days before I had thought about the story julian told us connecting his father to a white feather. So I thought about it and I found a feather!. I do… Read more »
Beautiful. These thoughts and words are so needed in this world right now.
Thank You The White Feather Foundation & Mr.Julian Lennon(Jules) for Your message about Earth Day 50! Mr. Julian Lennon, Thank You for Your B E A U T I F U L pictures of nature & talking to Us fans! I feel sooo priviledged & honored to receive Your messages/posts & Thank You for Your Positive & Encouraging words to help keep us going spiritually, mentally & physically! & THANK YOU FOR YOUR MUSIC Also! TWFF & Mr. Julian Lennon(Jules), Yous Rock & are Awesome(Always & Forever)!
Inspirational and well said Jules🌍🕊💙 Happy Anniversary to Mother Earth ! 💜 To the Good Old Days of travel and adventure and breathing fresh air with a feeling of being protected by our planet as we protect her! 🙏🏻🌸🌍💜☀️ Thank you for your caring!
Thank you. A beautiful reimdet
Beautifully said and true. I feel the same way Jules. Happy Earth Day. Keep Caring and sharing <3
Thank you, Julian! Your words – as always – mean a lot to me. This is the right moment to become aware how many likeminded people live here on planet Earth because many times I tend to feel so alone. My ideas about embracing and respecting nature sound strange to many but I don’t mind. I think your photographs are masterpieces as they show the timeless beauty of Mother Nature.
Lindo, Julian!
Very Nice Indeed. Thankyou Jules For Sharing Your Post and Photographs I Look Forward To The Past As Well The Simpler Things In Life. The Sun Trees and Fresh Air . Leave The Technology Home.
Love Your Posts and the White Feather Foundation.
Cheers
Hi Jules
Very Powerful. Love Your Words Posts Music and Photographs. I Agree let’s get back to nature the trees fresh air the oceans the sun.
Leave the technology behind.
Absolutely Lovely.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. You put into words what is in my soul. But more than your words, I adored your photographs! When I close my eyes, I can imagine myself in those peaceful settings. You are so extremely lucky to be living in such beautiful surroundings and being able to walk among those places when your heart desires. I used to take great pleasure in getting up when the sun rose to tend my roses and planters in front and back yards. I am now incapacitated and unable to walk down stairs or among my plants without falling… Read more »
Everything changes, including Julian. The straightforward, no frills, fundamental, virtually breathtaking invitation from Julian reveals a reflective, “ sober”, mature, three dimensional Man, not defined by the struggles, but by setting them aside.for this moment in time. We could get our arms around this Jules, but maybe we’ll just get out of his way & wish him so very well as he puts one foot in front of another. Godspeed, Julian Lennon.
Thank you
i will like to add that your script is beautiful and full of positive thoughts and shows clearly your soul and heart are the one that belongs to a marvelous human being, which wants to embrace Earth conservation with your White Feather Foundation,which I KOW will receive a lot of donations worldwide, so you continue with your hard work and goals you will achieve in benefit of MOTHER EARTH. JULES continue with it and God bless today and always. By the way your photos are awesom and splendid. can you tel which places are. Regards and best wishes, Priscilla Gisela… Read more »
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