'Sustainable'- a word for the wise

Lately there's been an overabundance of the word 'sustainable' when describing everything from green materials to the way we live our lives. We hear this word so much, it might even loose meaning, like the word 'organic' has in recent years when it's printed on every product. It becomes so gentrified that it has no effect at all, when reading or hearing it. Maybe we can start with another question:

What sustains us?

Recently I was visiting a friend, who is a chef in Chicago. He is an artist of notable talent with food and he has a compassion for people, making them feel comfortable and honored. His name is Art Smith and he's developed a program to teach inner city kids how to cook. The name of his program is called 'Common Threads'.

Art exemplifies what I feel is the 'green movement' because even though he's still learning to have a greater knowledge of green materials and practices.....he starts with the most important ingredient; heart. Then he adds the concern. He asks the right questions about what he buys, how he acts, and what he teaches to others.

Before we can change the world, we begin with what inspires us. What makes us happy? How do we design a world around us, that encourages others to do the same? It might be the lingo 'sustainability' and 'green' that has one meaning to one person, and quite another meaning to someone else. It might even be an over-used word right now...but that's ok. Use it! Art and his chefs provide sustenance in the baking of bread. We might learn from people like him and ask how we provide for others.

Sustainability might be an over-used word right now....but let's continue to use it, until the very heart of its meaning becomes real in every sense. Whether you talk about feeding people, building a home, recycling your old wares so that someone can use them, resisting that next 'buy' unless you truly have a need, using less water in your garden, eating a little less than you need to eat, or extending your hand.

Someday we may not use this word 'sustainable' in so many instances. Let's hope that someday there won't be a need to differentiate between it and any other way to live.

Searching for souls at Solfest

Recently I had the pleasure of attending 'Solfest', in Hopland, California. It was an uncomfortably hot day amid crowds of roaming enthusiasts, looking for the few seats under tents or the shade of a tree. I had come to give a speech about alternative construction methods and designing for a sustainable future. I wondered if I knew enough to be worthy of such an honor.

There was a little mix up as to when I was to speak and finally, after many walkie talkie consultants; I was bumped up a few hours until the last time slot before closing. I didn't mind, even if I was to compete for an audience after the bands were to start. It provided me time enough to sit in on a few lectures about electric cars, educational toys and solar generating systems.

The mate' ice tea with rosewater was refreshing even though it reminded me of tasting bath water as a child.

I traversed the festival grounds in this little town best known for its Solar Living Institute: a place where those who care are doing something to change the world. I looked around at this earthy crowd. Rasti hair in colored ribbons, naked babies wading in pools, dusty hemp colored clothing in layers with bone beads on tan bodies. I felt I had stepped into a past time when I was free of cell phones, and schedules and email. When I was this hippie type cast soul looking for alternative ways to live.

When it came my turn to speak, the camera man lashed me with a microphone, people meandered in and out, and the faint sound of music filled the distant air. "Maybe I'll find nothing to say." I thought. "All those scribbles on note cards won't matter, when one could dance instead of hear me talk about constructing with old wood and paper bags."

I looked out at a crowd that looked tired and hot and sometimes sitting sideways in their chairs, as if to exit soon in case of another overly 'comprehensive speaker' takes the podium made of hay bales.

And then I was blessed with a wonderful thought. It was as if wings picked me up and dropped me quietly on top of lighter legs.

There really is no sense of time in this festival of heart-felt folk. These were and are my people looking for better sources and ideas, yesterday and today and actually forever. I am simply a messenger appointed to deliver. My message is an infinite one and worth all the nervousness, and hours to prepare, photos enlarged and mounted, the walkie talkie translations, and any other bump in the road I might encounter.

There was only one reason I had come so far and to speak with whom ever might listen. I had a message far greater than the talent I might possess or the knowledge of new products on the market.

I sat on the hay bale and stared at the audience. I began my talk with "Hi, I'm Carolyn and I love my planet. I've come to remember who I am by looking into all your faces of hope. Thank you acting consciously and caring when you make choices. Thank you for remembering love is the only way home."

Carolyn