From the Phenological Engagement page (private).

“Wanted to share this – something I’ve just been realizing about the plant and animal behaviour in general, although it’s been staring me in the face all along. The plants and animals are actually living their lives. Okay, it sounds dumb when I put it into text like that, but what I mean is that they are not trying to solve all the world’s problems before they allow themselves to live their lives. That’s profound for me at the moment. I guess as I grew up I got this picture that the generations before me had really messed everything up, and my generation was stuck with the “job” to clean up after them, and “save the world.” The possibility that I could simply live my life, whether any of the problems get resolved or are even solvable at all makes me feel lighter. Saponihtaan (“Sah-pohn-staan” — a Blackfoot term which is complex but may involve making an offering to a visiting Elder or teacher prior to any arrangements or expectations of deliverables – Darin) is like that too, as I currently understand it. It isn’t solving problems, or helping others per se, it’s not a duty, it’s something else. I like it!”

— Nathan Binnema