finally a free moment to share some personal reflections heading into the new year...one that's sure to be pivotal in shaping a sustainable future, or not, for generations to come.

it was interesting (an understatement) to be meeting in washington with leaders from public, private and citizen sectors while wars waged against reform to provide access to basic health care for millions and while prospects disintegrated for a global climate treaty to prevent extinction for billions.

yet another reminder that no top-down fix will lead to systemic change; there are simply too many statistics to mislead and stakeholders to appease.  real transformation will continue to come from countless individual actions of compassion and courage, animated by the hope that a collective consciousness might someday emerge.

personal ecology is about rituals that bring us into concert with the natural world.
  • humility - derived from greek "humis" or soil ~ of the earth
  • courage - derived from french "cuer" or heart ~ from the heart
qualities that i aspire to inspire in others this year through daily acts of love and healthy disruption of the status quo.

add to that an expanded claim to dual citizenship…of both outer and inner worlds.  it’s hard not to lose ourselves in endless streams of tasks, time constraints and external distractions.  one of my friends likes to say she seeks her news from within.  this year i’ll be living my life more inside out, allowing spirit to guide my actions and balm my nerves in the face of certain challenges ahead.

speaking of daily acts, check out the work of an amazing friend, ecoleader and artist, trathen heckman, at www.dailyacts.org!