April 2021

Prelude to conversation…

In our ever deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations. ​            -an Iroquois Saying
Who is planning ahead?

Most of us are planning ahead for next week, or next month, or next vacation.

Some of us are planning ahead for a year…or five.

Who is planning ahead for a generation… or for the next seven generations?

Earth Day has just passed us by…and once again we have been reminded that we have not always planned ahead far enough.  We have streams, rivers, lakes and oceans polluted with chemicals and trash for which we did not want to plan ahead.  We have land and air fouled in much the same way.  There is no doubt that our world’s development has been aided by burning fossil fuels, developing drugs, and producing new products.  Still… when we were doing this… or when we are doing this…are we thinking of our great, great, great, great, great grandchildren and the by-products of our development and the impact of those things on their lives?  Or… are we thinking only of the next few years?  Are we thinking only about the profits…the multiplying of our shares of stock…the immediate gratification?
COVID has not yet passed us by…but aren’t we already thinking of what we will do when all the COVID restrictions have been lifted?  In relationship to COVID are we thinking far enough in advance?…or are we thinking of our immediate gratification?  What will “opening up” mean to folks who live seven generations from now?  Shouldn’t our big stadiums and arenas, our large resorts, our professional sports teams, our mosques-synagogues-churches, our school districts, our businesses, the entertainment industry…be thinking of our great, great, etc. grandchildren?

Shouldn’t we?

Perhaps we should begin today…considering the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.

Rev. Ted Anderson