I can't ignore these bizarre facts that strangely give me hope.
I can also not ignore that I live in a radioactive world. Uranium is a NATURAL element. We are bathed in radiation every day from the sun. And, yes, we are exposed to unnatural and seemingly unhealthy levels of radioactivity every day from these horrendous accidents with nuclear plants gone awry. Radiation causes cancer, yet radiation is also used to treat cancer. My friend Gayle jokingly reminds us that we should feel grateful for the free dose of anti-cancer treatment provided by the Japanese reactors gone wild. I don't know if it works that way, but recents events have definitely forced me to consider living in a radioactive world.
Actually, I have been forced to consider this because the Grand Canyon has large deposits of Uranium. I didn't know that when I moved here, but it's true. Uranium was once mined here, and there are lots of reminants of this part of the canyon's history. In fact, there remains current debate about a renewing of uranium mining here at the canyon. The Colorado River is actually fed by radioactive water (because of the percolation that occurs through the layers of the sedementary rock). These are not the facts readily advertised when water is being siphoned off by draught afflicted regions, or when travel brochures are published, but they are the facts of grand canyon life.
Given my personal history with radioactivity, how did I end up moving into such a radioactive place on earth? And what do I do with the fact that no matter where I move, I can not escape the invasive nature of radioactivity?
The boars and the flowers and the plants give me hope because they might just provide the Darwinian solution. If we are unable to change the radioactive environment in which we live, then we must mutate in a manner that allows us to thrive in spite of this reality of life on planet Earth. What if we can learn from the boars and the flowers and the soybean and the flax plants in such a way that helps us to thrive as a species in spite of the radiation? Is it actually possible?
One of the facts of biology that has continued to give my mind food for thought is this simple fact of nature: cells divide. And every single time a cell divides there is the potential for mutation. . . .every single time! But what if some mutations bring about a positive change? Why is it that all mutations must automatically be bad? And, most importantly, given the connection between mind and body, what if we can control these mutations through conscious intent? What if it's actually possible?!
I am not suggesting that what is happening to our world is a silver lining to a dark cloud that plagues our existence, or that we should continue to delude ourselves into thinking that we can control nuclear energy. But if I am to find peace with my existence upon this radioactive planet given that I have absolutely no control over the radioactive presence, then I have got to find a path that provides at least the possibility for a positive outcome even with the stupidity of the human race, because organisms that survived across time did not always do so by living in love and sunshine environments. So perhaps there needs to be an awakening of consciousness to allow for this positive change possible on the other side of this global radioactive decay.