Welcome . . . to another Friday in the Sanctuary.
May you find a few moments of peace and respite here today. Life is tough. We all need to protect our peace.
C’mon in.
Take a break with me.
First, let me explain where I am . . . right now.
So. I know that a lot of you are aware that I have a particular soft spot for . . . animal stories. Or, to clarify . . . animals IN stories. (And especially dogs.) (But also, well . . . horses. Or really . . . any animals.) (But. Mostly dogs.) What you might not know, though, is where that comes from.
Well. It comes from Jane Goodall, my friends.
My “love affair” with chimps began early. In the 1960s, I adored the show Daktari – which featured Judy the chimp. And I remember watching a TV special (it must have been Miss Goodall and the World of Chimps) when I was very young. And then . . . I remember Lancelot Link when I was probably too old to be watching Saturday morning TV anymore (but, really . . . who cares?) Anyway. Let’s just say . . . I was smitten with chimps, and I really wanted one for a pet. My mom was . . . not keen on the idea. At all. And eventually I gave up my love for chimps with my crush on Bobby Sherman. (The world turns. . .)
But I still loved Jane Goodall. Who showed me that caring for animals was important and the right thing to do.
So learning of her death this week . . . has surfaced all kinds of feelings. And that’s where I am this week. Down a Jane Goodall rabbit hole.
C’mon with me. Let Jane Goodall inspire us all. It’s an okay place to be right now!
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
— Jane Goodall
Let’s begin with this short tribute video, created by the Jane Goodall Institute . . .
Next, I want to share these most excellent “lessons learned from Jane Goodall” . . . from Sharon McMahon (aka Sharon Says So).
Jane Goodall, New York Times
What I learned from Jane Goodall
by Sharon McMahon @sharonsayssoThe answer is, of course, so many things. Beautiful things about animals and the natural world that we are all a part of. But here are three things about Jane Goodall that seem especially important today:
- She did what she could where she was, with the resources available to her. And that was so much. That was enough. History will not criticize Jane Goodall for never ascending the ladder of political power or for not working to amass a vast personal fortune. What she did, where she was, with what she had was exactly what the world needed.
- She cared about her legacy. She knew she had important work to do, and that included work out in the field and work to educate the next generations. She cultivated who she became. And that is something that’s available to each of us, too.
- Jane Goodall was small, and she was mighty. She looked for the next needed thing and she did it. She had the audacity to try, and to let other people judge her for it. She never let the enormity of the world’s problems keep her from doing — not everything — but something.
Here’s a recent message from Jane Goodall about making the world a more peaceful place . . .
Dr. Goodall served as a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
And, finally, the clip that always makes me cry . . .
I have seen this clip played many times since I was a child, and every time I get emotional. (And likely you’ve seen it more than once or twice, yourself.) But it’s a most excellent reminder . . . that all of us in nature are connected.
And that’ll do it for this week, my friends.
I hope you’ve found some . . . Sanctuary. . . here today.
At least for a few minutes.Enjoy your weekend.
Rest.
Do what you can with the resources you have.Be like Jane.
Decide what kind of difference you want to make.ONWARD.
Protect your peace!
Agree on all of this. What strength of character, tenacity and commitment. What a Mission. I think the whole world felt a deep sadness when we heard of her death.
This is lovely, Kym. Jane will be so profoundly missed, may we all keep focused on our “piece” of the puzzle!
I know it;s going to be a good post when you open with Daktari and Lancelot Link! (If only the Agency to Prevent Evil was still active.) I love Sharon SS’ tribute to Jane Goodall, and those are some things that I’d like to remind myself of more. Do what I can, when I can, with what I have. Part of why I admire her so much is because she didn’t try to ascend to political power or amass a great fortune. Thank you for a lovely reminder of who Jane Goodall was and all that she did in a lovely, gentle way.
Reading, watching, following Jane is a great way to find peace.
Thank you, Kym. Jane was the example of what we all can be if we do what we can, where we are. I can’t think of a better way to live. Yes, you made me cry, but it was a good cry. 😉
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful person. Thank you for gathering it all together.
Daktari — I could never forget, but sometimes I feel like it was my private show. I loved it so much. So much good stuff here. I also enjoyed the story I read (and can’t find to share) about the Gary Larson cartoon that featured her — a short version is here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1B69AeDw6R/
May each of us try to make such a difference. Thank you Kym.
Thank you. Your post is a good reminder that small actions and kindnesses are still important.
She’s such a good example of doing what we can with what we have. Not everyone can make an impact on a global level, but we can all do a little. Thank you for all of this.
Oh my gosh, Lance Link! That show, what a hoot! Jane Goodall was an incredible person and leaves a wonderful legacy. Thank you for pulling together these sources, I have a lot to learn about her.