#ron

Were we to confront our creaturehood squarely, how would we propose to educate? The answer, I think is implied in the root of the word education, educe, which means "to draw out." What needs to be drawn out is our affinity for life. That affinity needs opportunities to grow and flourish, it needs to be validated, it needs to be instructed and disciplined, and it needs to be harnessed to the goal of building humane and sustainable societies. Education that builds on our affinity for life would lead to a kind of awakening of possibilities and potentials that lie dormant and unused in the industrial-utilitarian mind. Therefore the task of education, as Dave Forman stated, is to help us 'open our souls to love this glorious, luxuriant, animated, planet.' The good news is that our own nature will help us in the process if we let it. ↗

— David Orr

#education #environment #human-nature #nature #beauty

My soul cried out for Ash, for his courage and determination; for the way his eyes thawed when he looked at me, as if I were the only person in the world; for that beautiful, wounded spirit I saw beneath the cold exterior he showed the world. ↗

— Julie Kagawa

#fairies #iron-fey-series #love #meghan-and-ash #beauty

We have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night. ↗

— Tombstone epitaph of two amateur astronomers

#death #finality #hope #love #stars

We must have clean air and water, and beautiful natural foods for everyone, everywhere. ↗

— Bryant McGill

#clear-conscience #environment #beauty

A few minutes ago every tree was excited, bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches in glorious enthusiasm like worship. But though to the outer ear these trees are now silent, their songs never cease. -John Muir, naturalist, explorer, and writer (1838-1914) ↗

— John Muir

#being #connectedness #environment #existence #exuberance

When we feel weak, we drop our heads on the shoulders of others. Don't get mad when someone does that. Be honored. For that person trusted you enough to, even if subtly, ask you for help. ↗

— Lori Goodwin

#ptsd #strong #weak #honor

I wanted to be strong when I went back to Persuasion. Strong and beautiful and totally together. I dreamed of the day I’d get to rub all your faces in my sheer awesomeness. ↗

— Susan Donovan

#coming-home #dreams #strong-women #beauty

I finally understood that I couldn’t avoid working to provide for myself, but that can also be a wonderful thing, a beautiful thing. ↗

— Andy Couturier

#environmentalism #green #japan #sustainability #beauty

A new respect for Nature had been learned, a new kinship with sun and water and soil....They had learned that while Nature is often beautiful and kind, her laws must be respected, for they are ruthless and inexorable as well. Man must accept these laws and adjust his way of living to them. Then only can he prosper. ↗

— Lois Lenski

#lesson-for-life #beauty

When there is no one to teach you life will show you. All you have to do is pay attention. People unfortunately rarely take the time to sit back and evaluate. Their too busy being busy. ↗

— Therone Shellman

#life #theroneshellman #business