Saint Jane

Saint Jane

Above all we must realize that each of us makes a difference with our life. We have a choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place – or not to bother.

What is a Saint? Perhaps you know a Saint? Perhaps you once dreamed of being a Saint? Perhaps you think the whole idea of Saints is sillyness? In my eyes Saint’s are simply people who discovered who they truly and why there are here and then acted upon it in a way that brings out the “better nature” in others. A Saint then can be anybody, believing in a particular religious doctrine has nothing to do with it. Saints inspire us. They may not be smart – but they are wise. They may not have power – but they have influence. With all this in mind I am thinking that perhaps, just perhaps, Jane Goodall is a Saint. Her whole life is like a flag flying high above the battle field of life, proclaiming: “The human spirit is indomitable and if simple, little me can accomplish so much to make the world a more beautiful place – so can you.” Now I must admit to this: the idea of an environmentalist being a Saint is an idea I borrowed from Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel MaddAddam which is rife with religious symbolism and also because of this quote from Jane:

I have no idea on who or what God is. But I do believe in some great spiritual power. I feel in when I am immersed in Nature. Its something bigger than me or anybody. I feel it. And that’s enough for me.

Jane just passed away, but we are left with her magical last interview which I strongly recommend you watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH_APf9Naxc. She begins with a story about a marine named Gary who is blinded in action and later decides he will become a magician. Of course he is told that is impossible because he is blind. In spite of this Gary becomes a magician and nobody in his audience ever knows he is blind. His message and Jane’s message to us: there is always a way forward – but it is often not obvious and usually difficult – but joyful and worth every drop of sweat. While she always has a message of hope in this interview she is uncharacteristically realistically:

We are the most intellectual species to walk the planet – but we are not intelligent. If you are intelligent you don’t destroy your only home.

So what can you do to be at least a tiny bit like Jane? Start by not being apathetic, as Jane says:

The greatest danger to our future is apathy.

Next, stop thinking that what you do does not matter, as Jane says:

Your life matters. You cannot live a single day without making an impact. And what important it so think about what the impact your actions will have on the world.

And don’t forget that we are living in an age that will decide the fate of all Life on Earth, as Jane says:

Because when nature loses, that’s the end of us.

Once you’ve done all that – find what you love to do; or a place or a person or an animal or a tree to heal; or join a group that brings joy those who desperately need that. Heal the world because in so doing you heal yourself – just like Jane did. Love life, all life – just as Jane loved her chimps. Love just like all Saints do, without expecting anything in return. And then, maybe and very slowly you too will become a Saint. And even you don’t quite make it to Saint hood, I guarantee a great adventure and a life well lived. What more can you ask for?

The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.