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SUSTAINABILITY
AS A LIFESTYLE
By
Audrie Brown and Thomas Hirsch
There
are those of us who have a serious passion for something in life, a cause
to die for, so to speak. We
are trailblazers who will go the extra mile to see a project, dream or
issue through. Over the
years, working in environmental issues, we have known several extremely
committed individuals who have tirelessly given of themselves.
Some of these folks do, literally, die for their causes. Workaholism makes
the cause seem more important than everything else, which can take its
toll and leave a wake of disorder. This is clearly not sustainable.
We would like to see more healthy, vibrant activists who look like
they will be around to enjoy the fruits of their labors.
The
past decade has brought these issues more clearly home as we now view them
through the lens of sustainability. As
we hold up our banners with zeal we realize that we must, MUST keep the
rest of our lives in balance. Perhaps
it is middle age, perhaps it is having teenage children, and perhaps it is
the stress of building and moving (at the same time).
We need to constantly remember to carry the ideals of
sustainability into all aspects of our lives.
To work sustainably enables us to take good care of ourselves and
each other AND meet our myriad responsibilities in a balanced,
life-enhancing manner. It
definitely doesn’t mean working so hard on sustainability issues that we
burn out and everything around us crumbles.
Life
is full of hard choices. In
order to make the best decisions we must be present enough to see the
bigger picture and the ramifications of our thoughts, words and deeds. To do this requires a conscious relationship with time.
We have found that almost everything takes more time than we think
it will, especially if we strive for quality.
At mid-life in particular, we are faced with questions regarding
what we can honestly accomplish in our lifetimes.
We also realize that our lives will end and that the happiness
brought by our loving relationships means more than virtually anything.
Our priorities are being refined so that our energies to reflect
our truest vision and purposes.
To
create a life of grace and balance requires us to assess and release
unhealthy patterns such as over commitment, workaholism (even for “the
cause”), lack of rhythm (daily, weekly, seasonally), and not
shortchanging our time for inner development, play, personal renewal,
family and friends. Creating
a sustainable culture requires trust as well, for while we make many
individual decisions, large and small, we also depend upon others doing
their part to make healthy relatedness possible.
It is difficult to be perpetually stressed out, and speeding along
and expect to have the resources available to contribute sustainably for
the long haul.
Sustainable
building as a current cause will happen because it needs to.
The earth is counting on our right actions.
Sustainability by definition begs us to extend its tenets to all
aspects of our lives. Is our
health sustainable? Are our
relationships nourished? Are
our obligations in balance with our resources?
What do we need to adjust to make them so?
When the pressures of life loom strong it becomes even more
important to take stock and monitor our activity accordingly.
Sustainability embraces all of our needs and wishes us well.
It is with great appreciation for Healing Garden’s immense
support toward these aims that we share out of our very real experience.
As
we pour our life forces out into the world, let us be reminded that
sustainability starts in the community at home. Let us return again to the inner sanctums of our hearts and
hearth to refresh and renew our resolve to live in a way that enhances our
abilities to unite with our work and our lives in a balanced and
sustainable fashion. Then we
will be available, clear and wise as the next generations seek our
guidance and support for the future that is coming.
Harmony
Home Construction, LLC.
8122 Barney Road
Traverse City,
Michigan 49684
Ph: 1-877-45-GREEN Fx: 231-932-9193
info@harmonyhomeconstruction.com
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