Please forgive us for the ways we've missed the mark in relating with the sacred earth. Forgive us for our many misdeeds,
For accumulating more than we need.
For choosing cheap and conventional instead of local, organic and home-made,
For buying mass-produced and processed instead of supporting cooperatives, craftspeople and fair trade.
For all the times we've driven alone when we could have carpooled, biked or simply stayed home,
For choosing paper or plastic bags instead of bringing our own.
For the times we've listened to our head and ignored our heart,
For the times we've believed the voice that said "One person can't make a difference so I won't even start."
For keeping manicured lawns and for unnecessary flushing,
For running the water while washing dishes or tooth-brushing.
For not organizing against injustice or calling our local reps,
For feeling so insignificant or overwhelmed we forget that change begins with one person and one step.
For ignoring the potential in our own back yards,
For not growing more of our own food, installing solar panels or minimizing what we discard.
For not composting, reusing and recycling all that we could,
For reducing ancient forests to pasture, to lumber, to just another piece of wood.
For polluting the air and privatizing the water,
For disregarding the health of our children's children's sons and daughters.
For how much we don't know about our own watershed,
For the many beings and species our ignorance and inaction has left for dead.
For putting comfort, cost and convenience first,
For being unwilling to change our lifestyle in order to protect the earth.
For each way we've neglected the health of animals, plants, air, soil, trees and rivers,
For this and so much more, Compassionate Creator, we plead for your forgiveness.
– Holly Taya Shore ©2005