Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Now and then you bump into a book that has a powerful impact on your thinking, and the magnitude of the thoughts within it make you want to discuss and discuss them...and yet you don't know where to begin. You almost can't talk about it, because anything you say won't do it justice or encompass everything in it. Robin Wall Kimmerer's book Braiding Sweetgrass is that kind of book. She conveys her sorrow and anguish at what we've done to the planet and she points out our complicity in this warped fuel-based-economy destruction...and yet at heart it is a hopeful, peaceful, lovely book. Part of that is the writing itself, so founded on a deep love and appreciation for the world and a scientist's innate curiosity. Part of it is that she writes like a poet, even when describing industrial waste (which is not easy to do!). But mostly it is because she also discusses ways to combat  consumerist Windigo Thinking and contribute our gifts to the world. There is a way forward that follows the path of gratitude and generosity, whatever the fate of our species.

This is a book I want to share with everyone, and yet want to hang onto so that I can reread it and ponder it frequently. It's a good reminder of our place on the earth and the role we need to play. We need to deepen our awareness of the more-than-humans around us and our impact on them. We need to be accountable for our actions (and inaction). We need to take a hard look at our responsibility, our inequity, and what gifts we can share. We need to question the status quo and refuse to participate when we deem it is harmful. We need to give, not consume so much.

One of the things she points out is that our individual gifts to the earth can include art and writing. I have felt more and more lately that I can't continue to write fluffy fiction while the earth is burning. I have always written to entertain, but lately it seems like just adding to the muffling, the distraction, the stupor that keeps us from being fully awake. Granted, my writing isn't widely known or hugely impactful for anyone, and I doubt it contributes much of anything to anybody...but what if it could? What if it could help people awaken to the gifts the earth has given us and increase gratitude? That would be worth writing. That I could get motivated about. I don't know if my skills could adequately capture all that is in my heart, but it's worth a try. I want to give back to the earth, to thank her for supporting and feeding and loving me, whether I show that through writing books or growing squash or playing the guitar or marching in climate strikes or foraging hickory nuts. It means looking for ways to opt out of our oil-based consumerism. Which might mean having to bite the bullet, scale back other wants, and splash out a year's salary on an electric car. Or better yet, go halvsies and share that car with another family.

Much to think about.