“How did you like the red tide this year?” Iman asked.
“Well, it sucked. It was the worst Sarasota’s seen in years.”
Red tide (karenia brevis) is an algae bloom that kills thousands of fish that wash up on the Florida Gulf Coast shore, and makes beachgoers cough and vomit. It may just be the sole salvation
in keeping the average price of a home in Sarasota to the low, low price of $10,000,000.
“Do you know why it was so harsh?”
“Not exactly, but it was probably our fault.”
“Not entirely, but you helped. The algae bloom starts miles off the coast. It’s a natural thing, one of nature’s ways of keeping the balance. When the bloom gets closer to the shore it meets up with all the nitrates that have sifted through your lawns, and grows exponentially.”
“We suck.”
“But you’ve got really nice lawns.”
“Thanks.”
“My pleasure.”
“What’s this have to do with your lungs and the moon winking?”
“Breathe.”
“I always do. Try to do it as much as I can.”
“Breathe deep.”
I closed my eyes and felt my chest rise as my lungs filled with pure salty air. I could feel my energy change as the air nourished my body, mind, and spirit.
“I don’t think you humans fully realize the extent of the power you are given in this world. From something as minor as spraying fertilizer on your lawns three times a year, you help change the feel of the entire environment, from peaceful, manicured neighborhoods to accelerated toxic algae blooms.
“Like grass growing, red tide is a natural process. It’s not a bad thing, but it’s disagreeable with what you perceive as a leisurely time at the beach so you judge it as such. When your nitrates meet with your growing grass, which you’ve deemed good in creating the effect of the beautifully manicured lawn you so desire, there is a noticeable reaction. As the excess nitrates flow into the water, there is a noticeable reaction as well. Every action has a reaction. Every cause creates an effect.”
“We suck.”
Yewell smiled. “Don’t waste your energy on something as meaningless as guilt. Just notice the effect. Just as red tide is a natural occurrence, so is a person. So is a relationship. So is a thought.”
“A thought is a natural occurrence?”
“Thoughts are things. As are people and relationships. The question is, as these natural occurrences come to you in this One great flow, what are you adding to it? What effect will come of your cause?”
This is an excerpt from How to Survive an Estralarian Mind Meld. Come back weekly for the next part or order your copy in ebook or paperback today!
