As stated by the organizers of earthday.org,

‘Earth Day 2020 will be far more than a day. It must be a historic moment when citizens of the world rise up in a united call for the creativity, innovation, ambition, and bravery that we need to meet our climate crisis and seize the enormous opportunities of a zero-carbon future.’

In less than six weeks since COVID-19 brought the world to a grinding halt, across the planet we’re witnessing a significant improvement in the quality of our air and the water tables.

Here in Bali, the skies boast crystal clear, blue, while in Venice, we’ve seen pictures of the canals being the clearest they have been in decades. City streets like New York and London are calm and quiet. And at a time when we’re unable to enjoy the sense of touch with each other, humans are now embracing Mother Earth by hugging her trees that readily reciprocate without judgmental nor resentment.  Finally, the Earth is able to breathe freely again, while we grapple with ours, in the face of a dis-ease that threatens our respiratory systems.

Farmers in Bali are also welcoming family members back to the tradition of local planting and farming of native fruits and vegetables. After years of diversion with the youth seeking out of home jobs renewed interest in agriculture and co-operative community initiatives are highlighting the benefits of growing local produce.

The Yogi’s Garden Bali is one initiative that is teaching local farmers how to grow chemical-free produce for long term visions of environmental and economic sustainability. With education as a key focus, locals are learning how to plant in a sustainable way, to honor the beauty and cycles of nature. The local impact of the current global crisis affirming the reliance on local healthy food sources as a means for good health and strong immunity.

Bali is reaping the rewards by realigning with Mother Earth's needs.

A couple of days ago, I was guided to sit and meditate by the banks of one of my favorite rivers in Ubud, Bali. Though I had sat at this place numerous times in the past, I observed the river’s magnificence through her powerful, confident flow in a way that I hadn’t before.  Where there were boulders, the river was not perturbed by them, nor did she allow them to hinder her path.  Rather she acknowledged their presence, garnered her strength and increased her velocity as she flowed around and over them. In other words, the river dared to continue along her destined path.

The connection I feel with the Earth right now is the strongest I’ve ever experienced.  It begs me to respond to these two questions:

What is being asked of me right now?
What is my deepest heartfelt desire for this planet where I occupy space?

Ultimately, my response lives in how I choose to love her, my Earth Mother.  

photo by Jessica Coup Photography


I promise to honor her natural rhythm and cycles. I will give her more than I have taken. I will tend to her soil, enriching her by planting healthy foods. I will do my part to keep her bodies of water clean by reducing my use of plastic and to contribute to the goal of a zero-carbon future. Through daily consistent meditation and prayer, I will deepen my relationship with her.

Ultimately, my commitment to Earth Mother serves as a mirror reflection for how I am loving, myself and others.

And so it is.