Live Like the Iroquois
(first posted on Bluegoose)
The Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy states, “In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.”
What wonderful words to live by. The Indians, or Native Americans, had profound effects on this great land and probably their laws and traditions affected our Founding Fathers in some minor ways. Yet, the love these peoples had for the Earth and each other is advice we can all take to heart.
My first blog here is an attempt to implore all of us to think like the Iroquois. Think about how what we do today affects many people down the line. Seven generations may seem like a long time, but in terms of the planet it’s just a millisecond in time. That plastic jug will still be here seven generations from now. The pollutants we spill in lakes and rivers that make their way to our oceans will still be here. The nuclear waste we generate today will still exist in it’s infancy seven generations from now.
So let’s think of not only the planet now, but of how we will affect it generations from now. Let’s think the Iroquois, peoples who a profound love and understanding for the Earth. They cared for the planet long before it go to the critical stages.