Bestowings

This was the view from Aulus, the Guardian tree, as I sat out the rain one day. No profound thoughts came to me. I just sat there. Quiet.

I had collected a sample from one of the trees I had surveyed nearby and today I received three emails from Forestry research - one about that sample and the other two on different trees. The former was particularly pleasing to me - firstly because the tree should be fine despite the condition caused by some insect and secondly because the scientist wrote, "Thank you again for another of your enquiry submissions as they are usually very interesting." I relied, "I love the trees." It was all I could say.

I do indeed love the trees. As I love the creatures... and this morning, in the garden, Son of Bob sat close to me for a long time, even though there was food laid out (he'd had his fill). Two squirrels came within a few feet - one brave enough to eat in close proximity. A dunnock and a blackbird were also confident enough to land nearby and pick up supplies. I stood still. Son of Bob doesn't mind some movement and seems to like being spoken to, but that unnerves the others. So, while they were there, I stayed quiet. And the robin preened himself just above my shoulder.

I felt blessed by them.

Later, I interviewed the investigative documentary-maker who made Tiger Mafia, Karl Ammann. I wanted to understand where his resilience comes from, how he has the psychological strength to do what he does. Partly, it seems, it comes from being Swiss and wanted to expose law-breakers. Partly from a journalistic veil in the moment, when he is focused on getting the story. Partly on curiosity - how can people do this and how can they get away with it? Partly due to his sense that he could not, once he had the knowledge, do nothing. And partly because when he goes home he spends time with animals.

A short time before I had heard activist Tom Harris talking about his work to combat animal exploitation.

The two men humbled me. How can I know what I know and feel what I feel and just sit here? Some say that attaining a higher consciousness is important as it helps to - somehow - in the connected one-ness of existence - make things better. Some say that one does what one can in the ways one can - that signing petitions and donating to the right organisations and spreading the knowledge are all important.

I don't believe it. Actually, I don't even believe that activism will make a difference - and yet I do believe that it is the only truly ethical response.