Dear Friends,
I hope you’ll enjoy my caring and playful expression for our planet and our practice here and now.
With the arrival of the December solstice and entry into the season, I’m reminded of a classic winter song, "Let It Snow!" Did you know it was originally written in 1945 during a summer heatwave? This song, originally penned by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne, blossomed into a timeless winter anthem which was not meant to become a holiday classic. [1]
Fast forward to 2023 and the irony of "Let It Snow" becomes ever more poignant. It's a stark reminder of the escalating ecological crisis we face, a reality that urges us to act and adapt. We are now living in what has been recorded as the warmest year in our history. [2] The stark contrast between the song's wintry wishes and our current ecological crisis is a powerful reminder of the changes our planet is undergoing.
In reimagining this classic, I was drawn to the simple yet profound mantra of 'reduce, reuse, recycle.' This concept, deeply rooted in environmentalism, encourages us to minimize waste, creatively repurpose what we have, and recycle wherever possible. It's a practical and necessary approach to conservation mitigating our environmental impact. [3]
My re-imagined lyrics stem from a place of deep reflection. Amidst the gloom of global challenges, there remains a radiant joy and playfulness that springs from my meditation practice. This joy, this inner light, inspired me to join the concerns of our time with the essence of spirituality. Reducing what we use, reusing what we can, and recycling what's left is more than an environmental slogan; it's a path of mindful living, one that I have tried to embody throughout my life; continue to learn about.
Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi's address to the United Nations General Assembly in 2019 echoes this sentiment. [4]
I hope you can see that this process of 'rewriting the song' extends beyond this single tune. This is a practice of re-imagining our collective and individual narratives; the songs we sing each and every day – our dreams, self-imposed limitations, and the learned patterns that no longer serve us. It's a metaphor for the transformative journey we undertake as we confront our denials, dream anew, and courageously craft a better world. This process is not limited to our external environment but deeply entwined with the inner landscapes of our minds and hearts.
Being awake involves the power of transformation – both within ourselves and in the world. These re-imagined lyrics are my way of contributing to this ongoing transformation, a small step towards a greater change.
Join in and sing along on this journey of awareness, action, and hope. Let's embrace the principles of mindfulness and environmental stewardship in our daily lives.
May we each practice well, and remember to "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!"
With kindness,
Constance Casey
[1] The history behind the holiday song 'Let It Snow': https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/weather/2022/12/07/the-history-behind-the-holiday-song--let-it-snow--
[2] 2023 shatters climate records with major impacts: https://wmo.int/news/media-centre/2023-shatters-climate-records-major-impacts
[3] Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Most of all, reduce: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/reduce-reuse-recycle-most-all-reduce
[4] Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi addresses the General Assembly at the United Nations on Vesak, 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WhvFv_xwT0
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