Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, August 1, 2020

10

Mountain View News Saturday, August 1, 2020 

SCIENCE FOR SOCIAL 
SURVIVAL

Is it just me, or has the topic of life sciences become 
increasingly more interesting and intriguing over 
time? It could be related to the swift forward-
motion of information technology allowing access 
to fascinating facts that, just a few decades ago would 
have required a trip to the library or a consultation 
with someone “in the know“. Or perhaps the social 
metamorphosis in this age has prompted people to 
a deeper desire for self-understanding or, (in many 
cases) self-importance, driving folks to learn more about the true meaning of life. Certainly the current 
pandemic has prompted folks to a higher level of interest, if only for health reasons.

For the majority of my younger years, I was known as one to “go against the flow”, which often meant; don‘t 
‘fall for’ the conventional curriculum of the day. But as an older gal now, for whatever reason, I feel more 
inspired than ever to recall what I learned in my high school and college biology classes, along with what 
I was taught about my spiritual provenance, and apply that knowledge to my daily walk of life. I guess you 
could say it is my means of social survival, through conscious contact with science and its Creator.

Indeed, I am quite interested in learning about who and what we humans are, where we came from, why 
we are here and how we can better relate to the other living creatures with which we share the planet that 
sustains us. But hey, with countless radical changes occurring in our society today, and such amazing new 
technological concepts constantly appearing on the horizon, “simple” scientific truths such as the origin of 
life, the study of living organisms and how we thrive through symbiotic relationships, may seem like rather 
boring or mundane subject matter to some.

It’s old news, right? For me, not so much. In fact, I feel more inspired now than ever to understand how 
my existence fits into the “big picture” on this magnificent planet and I hope to learn more about how I 
can have a positive impact for the greater good. However, my perspective as an adult differs greatly from 
that of when I was a young child. Back then, I harbored unfounded fears of wild animals in the woods that 
surrounded the property we lived on, and I went out of my way to avoid contact with the creepy crawlers 
in the basement and attic of our home.

These days, I view all creatures, great and small, as interesting and important components of an amazing, 
remarkably complex universe - including earth - and I believe my existence plays an important part in 
terms of the impact I may have on it. Earth is a planet that requires mutual respect on the part of each 
component with the capacity to have an impact, in order to maintain a healthy balance. It all boils down 
to the fact that I am a piece of the puzzle in an enormous population which relies on equitable and kind 
cohabitation and that is the “big picture“ that I feel blessed to be part of.

When I started to look at life from this fresh perspective, I found myself free of those childhood fears, and 
the fears were replaced with curiosity; a craving to learn more about my globe and the other life forms that 
thrive on it with me. Another result of my perspective adjustment was a realization that regardless of what 
we humans like to think, as far as property ownership and personal rights go, the bottom line is that we are 
here for a relatively short time, and the earth cannot - in any way - be owned.

OK, so we can borrow it for a while - a relatively short while, and we can mark our territory just as other 
animals do, but we will never really own any part of the earth. I believe that we humans should appreciate 
every single element of the dirt we “camp” on, and we should be careful to tend to it like a gardener…with 
kid gloves, treating every inch of dirt properly and accordingly, for what it truly is - a source of nutrition 
and life.

At the moment, we have (though who knows for how long) a grocery store just down the street where we 
can choose from a plethora of produce and packaged products that feed us. And for now we may have 
apparently ample amounts of fossil fuel for our vehicles to take us from point A to point B. And for now 
we have seemingly endless quantities of energy to keep us cool in summer and warm in winter, to light our 
nights and provide fresh water. But let us not forget that we are dependent on earth, and her resources are 
limited.

By learning more about the globe that sustains me, and the living organisms that surround me, I have 
inherently become more aware of my own personal responsibility as a component of this life, to take good 
care and to not over-exploit the treasures that God’s earth has to offer, because no one is an island unto 
himself.

I believe in creation, and I believe God commissioned us humans to respect and protect earth and all it‘s 
life forms. His creation is a miraculous gift and ours is no small order; to be stewards of that gift. I take this 
commission seriously. Many humans have a tendency to embrace only the aspects of life that set us apart 
from the rest, rather than learning more about what we have in common with all other life forms. Folks 
tend to forget that we are responsible for our position in the system. So, before I come down from my “soap 
box”, I’ll end with a reminder to appreciate life on earth. Recognize the fact that every living organism is, by 
virtue of creation, an integral part of yourself. Be healthy, be happy. Love and let live!


Pet of the Week

 Oreo's owner was moving and couldn't take Oreo 
with him. This sweet cat deserves a wonderful forever 
home and we know her pretty eyes and beautiful white 
whiskers will get her noticed! Five-year-old Oreo is 
understandably a little shy at the shelter - everything 
is new for her. But she's still been confident enough to 
approach our staff and ask for pets with a head bump. 
With the stability of a loving home, Oreo will be a loving 
cat. She just needs someone to take a chance on her!

 The adoption fee for cats is $90. All cat adoptions 
include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

 New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA 
Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care 
for your pet.

View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org and fill out an online adoption 
application. Adoptions are by appointment only.

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by 
phone calls or email.

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc

LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND?

Smokey is a 4-year-old blue American Pit Bull 
Terrier that came to us from a homeless situation. 
At first, he was a bit nervous and scared. Since his 
arrival at the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society, 
Smokey has improved tremendously. He is now a 
more social, happy dog that loves to be pet, play fetch 
and go on long walks. He hasn’t shown any further 
signs of discomfort toward our staff since working 
with him. Smokey would do well as the only dog in 
the home. His adoption fee is $145, which includes 
neuter surgery, microchip, first vaccinations and a 
free wellness check-up at a participating veterinarian. 
Call the San Gabriel Valley Humane Society 626-286-
1159 to schedule a “Meet and Greet” appointment 
with Smokey. Website: www.sgvhumane.org.


GET BREAKING NEWS ONLINE AT: 

www.mountainviewsnews.com

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com