mind the gap

This article caught my husband's attention, and lead to an interesting discussion of blame. The article is about those lovable ugly shoes "crocs" and their tendency to be getting stuck in places like the escalator. Several children have had minor to somewhat major toe and foot injuries as the shoe gets stuck and the wheels keep on turning.

It's very sad to see a shoe being blamed for our antiquated devices. I mean really! the escalator has not been redesigned since it's well I'm not sure but I've seen the same model since the 80's and I've always been afraid of the horrible teeth those things have. I mean why doesn't it have a fail-safe and if something gets stuck it shuts down? Like an elevator door opening when it touches something.

So my advice is (spoken with a British accent) "mind the gap and teeth."

"Eventually I came to think there are three major reasons [for climate-change skepticism].

One is catastrophe overload. The end of the world has been going to come several times, and we're all still here. So it's: 'Wake me up when the real end of the world is coming.'

Then there's: 'If this were really as bad as you say, I would feel it by now. There'd be water lapping at my first-floor windows.' The problem is that the climate operates on a very long time lag, so if you wait until there's water lapping at your first-floor windows, you can be sure there's going to be water lapping at your second-floor windows. I don't think the message has gotten out: changes 30 or 40 years from now are already inevitable. There is warming in the pipeline already.

And then there is this question of what to do. People don't like to confront problems they don't have a clear answer to. And the answers here—to the extent there are answers—are very, very complicated. They're very hard. We know what causes people to be overweight, and we can't even stop that! And with global warming it's not as simple as 'eat less, lose weight.' It's 'do a million things.' As the mayor of Burlington, Vt., said to me, there's not one thing we have to do; there are hundreds and hundreds of things we have to do. And we have to do them on a global scale.

So that's pretty daunting to people. It's very much easier to pretend the problem doesn't exist."

—Elizabeth Kolbert in a 2006 interview with

I feel like I'm on some bouncing string... Like one of those Johnny-Jump-Ups that used to live on the hook in my basement. I am strapped into this contraption merrily bouncing along... Unfortunately my recent bouncing has not been quiet as peaceful and merry.

I feel trapped in this confusion of "what needs to happen" "what do I focus on" and "what the f*ck am I so depressed about now" I feel a bit alone in this bafflement, so I will try and explain whats happening in the hopes that maybe one person out there in the world can relate.

I feel a bit weird trying to grow a business when I see the world collapsing around me. It seems a bit odd to be worried about how to pay the mortgage and where to find "my ideal client." As an Aquarian I have been graced with always having my head stuck somewhere in the future 5 to 10 years ahead. I'm confused by all these people trying to "get ahead" Where do they think they are going? I'm not a drastic person but honestly, the economy ain't going to work the same way in the near future, and so I again wonder... "what's the point?" Our entire society revolves around a commodity that's running out. Why should I participate in it... and yet how can I afford not to.

The planet we inhabit is very sick. I think diagnosis might be a combination of cancer, AIDS, depression a really bad rash, plus a fever and boils. In my most evolved of moments I know that it doesn't matter and that the Earth will still be here long after we have thoroughly destroyed it. But in my everyday waking moments I feel paralysed. Why aren't we doing MORE. Why am I trying to build a stupid reflexology practice? and What is everyone thinking? I don't know what to do. So I bounce... trying to find a way to bring in income while and play the game of living in 2007. But underneath the voices are getting louder and I'm not sure how long I can keep playing.

So what's keeping me back? Well for starters, I have no idea what needs to be done first. Who do I talk to... why didn't I get that environmental education endorsement I wanted? If I tell someone I can heal not only people but water and plants and soil are they just going to dismiss me and walk away. Where's my place? Who are my people? and Where do I sign up? I'm bundling it all up and sending it out ... I want to help, I know I can help, please show me the next step or introduce me to the right person.

I know it's too late for some places, for some people and for some animals... but I also believe that this is a chance for the human race to shine. For us to put down our weapons, our fears, our judgements because who cares what the person next to you looks, thinks or act like if we don't start changing our relationship with the Earth they won't be there to hate, and we won't be there to learn to see through our hate and love them.

I'd like to see Al Gore switch the title of "Global Climate Crisis" to "Global Climate Opportunity" he's the man who could do it... then instead being inundated with yet another crisis we could see this for what it is... a chance for us to evolve and become so much more.

politics, population, and planting

This is not the happiest of posts, some political stuff in front and more inspiring things below.

The axis of evil might lie closer to home:
Gas increases and the Bush AdministrationOne girl documents "What I learned from Bush"


Now how to fix our cities
Carl Sagan on Population and Poverty

The lighter, happier stuff:
Planting trees, start young
21 things you didn't know you could recycle
Yay Seattle! now when do you think they will build it?

the times they are a changing

This summer has been one of intense self discovery and complete breakdown of my personal and professional life into what really matters. In June I re-entered weekly therapy with the express goal of figuring out why my career was blocked, and my schedule empty. I'm going to take a few bragging rights and state that I am an amazing therapist, especially in reflexology. I have a very loyal set of clients. My issue is that they are a small group and I have helped them all so effectively that they don't need to come in as much. GREAT! Unfortunately it means less income. So I have been confused and disheartened lately as to why there's no new showing up, and why I am have been floundering in this career for a good while.

Through much trial, struggle, and a willingness to look at myself and my practice with a microscope I have found a lot blocking. With guidance, I have spent a lot of time contemplating what's important to me and what I am willing and able to sustain for an extended period of time.

To make a long story short, there will soon be some big changes occurring in my practice. My website is about to be redone to reflect the new directions I am going and the new practices I am about to introduce. I am very excited about these changes and I look forward to renewal and vitality in my career.

The best thing I found in this summer of self exploration is a profound sense of gratitude. I am so thankful for my life, for the people in my life and for the support and help, physical and non-physical, that has marked this transition. I look forward to integrating this gratitude into my practice and hopefully passing it on to my clients. There is so much to be thankful for on a daily basis, if only we take a few moments to stop and see it.

namaste

taking time

You know life is good when you can feel productive watching your tea leave uncurl. There is something so satisfying in knowing that even with all the things I should/could be doing I have taken these 3 minutes all to myself simply to watch the unfolding.

I feel sometimes as if in these still moments more gets done than if I was rushing about.

So just for today, I encourage you to take a moment all for yourself to simply observe. Whether you copy me and watch your tea leaves expand, rain running down the window, leaves dancing in the wind, an insect pollinating flowers, the clouds, the people walking by... whatever you can, just sit and be caught up in the activity.

Maybe you'll find a lot has changed in that simple act of observation and you'll see the world in a whole new way. If only for today. I wish you delight in stillness.