This time home I've been taking advantage of accompanying my partner and our dog on daily walks. Even though my community is largely shut down, we notice many things throughout our walk and I have a deep sense of pride for my city and the various walkways, pathways, and sidewalks around my neighborhood. Seeing others across the street brings a connection and our sense of place is grounded in that connection. 

I read recently Ekhart Tolle's "A New Earth" and it frames exactly this point- we are but mirrors of nature and can find more of ourselves in nature than anywhere else. Regardless of one's faith, I believe we are bonded and connected to nature and there is a spiritual connection within us when we are closer to nature. Also, I often feel humbled by the grandness of nature, I think the ego needs humility to keep it in check and to keep us grounded and compassionate to others. 

I've had mixed feelings about connecting during COVID-19-- I felt an exhaustion as we transitioned to stay at home orders because I was so overbooked prior. Now I feel more balanced and am happy to stay home and connect only at times when I can be truly present and for the purposes of connecting deeply. I realize now how much of my "human connection" was surface level and draining to me instead of uplifting and caring. This practice will certainly change in the new whatever period we enter. 

Food sovereignty reclaims our food system for its intended purpose and communal way of life. Modern food systems are run with a mission to create profit, not to produce quality food or for the mere purpose of feeding people. The food sovereignty movement seeks to balance the ecosystem in favor of a sustainable and humane food practices.