These half-billion-year-old creatures were animals—but unlike any known today

So-called Ediacaran organisms have puzzled biologists for decades. To the untrained eye they look like fossilized plants, in tube or frond shapes up to 2 meters long. These strange life forms dominated Earth’s seas half a billion years ago, and scientists have long struggled to figure out whether they’re algae, fungi, or even an entirely different kingdom of life that failed to survive. Now, two paleontologists think they have finally established the identity of the mysterious creatures: They were animals, some of which could move around, but they were unlike any living on Earth today.

Read More: 

These half-billion-year-old creatures were animals

A Peaceful, Cruelty-Free Fourth of July

We humans aren't the only valuable souls on Earth. Animals have valuable souls also and we should be kind to them, as they are on their own spiritual journey....

One way to be cruelty-free to our companion species is to have a vegan meal. Here are some delicious ones for the American Fourth of July:

10 Vegan Ways to Celebrate 4th of July

10 Vegan Recipes for 4th of July You Need to Make Now

Celebrate Fourth of July, Vegan-Style

Ethical Philanthropy

Religion is a broad term that should add some higher purpose to one’s life and keep you grounded. It is not just a set of rules and teachings that you must devote your life to; it’s what you take from any religion that’s important. All religions give the teachings of love, peace and unity. It should be something to believe in, and not just something to define our very actions and thoughts. The most important requirement is peace. Where there is peace there is abundance.

In religion, there is philanthropy--just being a good human being defines you everywhere. All that you need to work upon is being helpful to the needy at all times and every place. Being loving and caring towards all living beings--including animals--and to understand another person’s or animal's problem and realize the situations they are in and be considerate.

Philanthropy means caring for and helping others whenever and wherever possible, helping others at times when they need that help the most, forgetting our selfish interests at times when others need our help, and extending love (and sometimes tough-love) to each and every living being on Earth.

One does not need a hefty bank account to contribute towards philanthropic activities. Tipping wait staff fairly is also philanthropy. Lifting the heavy bag for an old woman, helping a disabled person to cross the road, helping your parents in chores, etc.,...Helping anyone who is in need is all philanthropic work.

As soon as we understand the importance of philanthropy in day-to-day life, the purpose for which we are on Earth is automatically fulfilled.

Documentary: A Will for the Woods

What if our "last act" could be a gift to the planet--a force for regeneration? 

Musician, folk dancer, and psychiatrist Clark Wang prepares for his own green burial, determined that his final resting place will benefit the earth.

For more information:

A Will for the Woods


I have also added "natural, green burial" websites/information to my Links List below for those who are interested in planning a green burial for themselves and/or their loved ones. You can find the links in the list where I mention in parenthesis the burial sites are for people.

Task Force Phone Conference

 

I had my very first phone conference this afternoon with 6 other people as we discussed ways of getting the word out more regarding having reverence for all lives, based on the Unitarian Universalist 7th Principle:

Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Which, in simpler terms, means we need to take care of our planet, Earth, the home we share with all living things.


The one-hour phone conference went very well. We came up with a lot of great ideas, and decided to keep several old ideas that work. We also made some clarifications about certain issues. We decided to have another meeting--be it via phone or online--sometime in the near future.

I'm really looking forward to our next meeting!