Guidance

(Written in January 2008)
Dear Guides and Guardian Spirits, Temple Grandin’s stories of animal violence have left me feeling very discouraged about the future of our planet.  Please help me find a context big enough so I can keep my energy for going on.
Dear Jenny, what if it were true that violence is “natural”, is part of the process of life on this planet?  This does not mean that it can’t be changed, but you have to understand what’s going on in order to design an intervention that will work.  Human compassion is also “natural” and can be encouraged.  If humans are the stewards of the planet, then part of their job is to work for more compassion, less violence.  Also, Temple herself points out that a lot of the violence is not “natural”, it is caused by environmental pressures such as humans breeding for a single trait, or invading animals’ habitats.  The sonar waves that cause whales to beach themselves may cause dolphins to become violent.  In either case, working for increased compassion and understanding is never a waste of time and energy.  Also, remember the huge love that enfolds you and the dolphins, and the oil companies, and the rapist roosters, whatever you have done or not done.  And we love you too.