Ever come across a book that you wish you’d gotten your hands on earlier in your life? I’m nearing the end of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book, Braiding Sweetgrass and oh! how I wish I’d had this book when I was younger so I could have grown up with this knowledge, and it would have been a part of me. So often, her graceful and gentle teachings have brought tears to my eyes .

While I wish I’d known Braiding Sweetgrass earlier, I wonder if I was ready for it before. Would I have had the sensitivity, the maturity or depth to handle Kimmerer’s teachings before now? But you know what they say — when the student is ready the teacher will come.

This native awareness of how bonded we need to be to Earth, to the trees, to plants, grass and each other is how we all should have been raised. Not only does she share traditional wisdom but biological and ecological facts as well .

“The smell of humus exerts a physiological effect on humans. Breathing in the scent of Mother Earth stimulates the release of the hormone oxytocin, the same chemical that promotes bonding between mother and child”

One of her chapters is called The Honorable Harvest. Probably my favourite so far. In it, she shares ideas of the Honorable Harvest — ideas that feel intuitive. She describes them as “small acts of daily life” .

Share.
Never take the first, (because perhaps the first one is the only one) And never take the last (because that signals greed.)
Ask permission before taking. Abide by the answer.
Use it respectfully. Never waste what’s been taken.

Sure, you’re probably thinking, these are things we’re taught when we’re little by those who raised us. But when that guidance is applied to harvesting, it’s suddenly takes on a different hue.

Speaking of colours….

Questioning whether she could totally abide by the guidance of the Honorable Harvest while living in this market economy, Kimmerer conducts an experiment. She goes shopping at her local mall bringing the teachings of the Honorable Harvest to every product she considers purchasing.

But it proves hard.

And I get it. It’s something that’s been on my mind for a long time.

I look around the room where I paint. So many tubes of paint, each a pod of beautiful colour. When I squeeze them empty, I collect the empty tubes in a bag because I don’t know what to do with them.

After reading this chapter, I’m even more bewildered. How do I justify these now twisted, emptied out sleeves. I haven’t used any of the proceeds of my paintings to feed myself or anyone else for that matter. Not gonna lie. These tubes are “wants” not “needs”.

Feed and nourish.

The flip side of this argument is that art feeds the soul; it nourishes not only the maker but those who engage with it. Art needs to be made for humanity’s sake, for our societies to grow and better understand.

But that doesn’t happen if that art isn’t hung on walls for hundreds to view. It’s not uplifting anyone. Just me.

However, Kimmerer’s words on the issue are soothing.

“We each do what we can; the Honorable Harvest is as much about the relationships as about the materials.” (pg. 196)

Her words replay in my head. And though I haven’t yet gotten to the place where I can reconcile my growing heap of painting detritus…

…with the art that I make, I am grateful for the balm she offers with these words.

And for having given us this book as well.

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