In this issue:
-Something Big
-Passing the Bucket
-Sustaining Yourself
-State of the Website, 2004

::SOMETHING BIG::

This past month, one of my subscribers noted that I don't really talk about practical applications of sustainability on my website. I was quick to respond that it was because I don't have that much experience in that department, mostly due to my situation. My subscriber, in turn, was quick to point out that my situation is not what limits the potential for hands-on experience, and suggested that perhaps it was my mentality.

Upon closer inspection, I realized that he was right. It's not that I CAN'T practice sustainability on a small scale here at home. In fact, his plethora of suggestions confirmed that there ARE a number of things I could be doing in the spirit of sustainability. Rather, it's that most of the things I can do right here, right now are grassroots-oriented. They're little things that almost ANYONE can do, which is what's so wonderful about them. But I can't help but ask myself, is it the most effective thing I could be doing with my time?

This dialogue made me realize that I'm at a place in my life where I can afford to think big. My options are not limited to grassroots efforts, like recycling, or growing my own little tomato garden, or making small donations to non-profits. I'll be graduating from college soon, and I barely have any of the responsibilities that usually hold people back. I don't have to pay rent or a mortgage. I don't have children to take care of. I don't have car payments to worry about. I'm in as good a position as I can be to do something outrageous, to take big risks. I have the rest of my life to put towards grassroots efforts. But doing something big will never be so easy, I suspect, as it is now.

You may be wondering what I mean when I say "something big." Daniel Quinn did "something big" when he wrote Ishmael. Buckminster Fuller did "something big" when he invented the geodesic dome. Jane Goodall did "something big" when she flew out to Africa and spied on chimpanzees. I've observed that all three of them, among others who changed the world, were doing something they were really good at and, more importantly, they were doing something they really enjoyed.

::PASSING THE BUCKET::

I have yet to find something I really love doing, but you can bet that when I do, whether it's environmentally-focused or not, I'm going to do it as sustainably as possible. I can't seem to erase from my mind something I once read on www.Ishmael.org: "You must ultimately find the place where you can be most effective, and this will inevitably be in doing what you're best at. In other words, no one is 'good at' saving the world; one is good at music or painting or writing or politics or science--and any of these can put one in a position to make a contribution toward saving the world."

Take, for example, Joshua Tickell, the founder and head of the VeggieVan organization, who I had a chance to interview this past month . This is someone who seems to have found a niche for himself. He's passionate about what he does, and given the success of his organization, he's doing an incredible job. Our conversation reminded me that finding your niche doesn't necessarily mean smooth sailing. It's possible that when I find something to do that really lights my fire, things will be more frustrating than ever. But at least I'll know it's something worth doing, something where I can't think of anything else more necessary in this world, and something I feel I was made to do.

The fact is, I began this website to document my search for sustainability. And that search has come to involve a whole lot of thinking and learning. I believe that before people can really act effectively towards sustainability, they need to have a solid, clear understanding of what needs to be done. This website is a narrative of my attempt to learn what I need to learn. The focus of this website is not to show people what to do. It's to share what I've learned and observed with others, and show how I'm applying it to MY life. Then, I pass the bucket to you, because you're the only one who can figure out how these principles apply to YOUR life.

::SUSTAINING YOURSELF::

As I mentioned earlier, before you can really live sustainably, you need to have a good understanding of what sustainability is. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there who act in the name of sustainability and never stop to think about what sustainability really is, and what it's going to take for them to live it.

My desire for sustainability, I now know, arises from a deep respect and appreciation for all life, and the joys that it brings. It's inseparable from my love of animals (even though at times it breaks my heart) and my desire to have a family and my desire to enjoy life (as opposed to living like a martyr). It's inseparable from my commitment to taking care of myself. And while my discipline may need some work, I'm dedicated to taking care of my body--it's my most vital environment of all.

Yet I know of so many people who claim they do everything in their power to stop pollution, and then go home and light a cigarette and dump toxic chemicals right into their lungs. They are knowingly destroying living systems--their own bodies. On top of that, they're reducing their potential to effect change on the world. Not only is this not sustainable, but it's downright hypocritical. These are often the same people who detest corporate America and avoid eating meat. How can they support corporations that make money from letting people pollute their own bodies? How can they have the discipline to go vegetarian, but can't resist the urge to light a cigarette?

Sustainability's not just about getting rid of the bad guys. It's not about recycling, or reading books, or voting. At its core, it's about changing the way things are done. How you do that is unique to you, but your efforts are limited if you don't take care of yourself--physically, financially, and emotionally.

::STATE OF THE WEBSITE, 2004::

Right now it's 11:47 PM on Earth Day, April 22nd, 2004. I've been in classes since 10 AM, and I just got home less than 2 hours ago. Where in the world do I find the energy to keep going with this website?? It probably has a lot to do with the fact that at least one person gets in touch every month and says something like "What you're doing is great" or "I know exactly where you're coming from" or even just "Thank you." Occasionally a subscriber has a bone to pick with me, and it makes me feel better, really, to know that people are actually reading my newsletter, and thinking critically about what I've said.

Time has been scarce on my end, and I can't guarantee that this website is going to be around forever--it's the product of many transition states in my life, and maybe when I grow out of those, I'll grow out of this website, as well. Or maybe it'll evolve into something better, like a book, or a non-profit. But until then, something keeps me up at 11pm on the 21st of every month, crunching out a newsletter and sharing my fears, musings, experiences, concerns, and lessons learned with you.

Luckily, your faithful commitment to buying your Amazon books through the links on this site have helped me pay the $25/year it costs to host this site, and I'm thankful for that.

In the next year, I'm planning on adding more articles, book reviews, and interviews. The "websites" section is going to have to go--it's just too time-consuming to screen websites and keep the links alive. The "newsletter" section will hold on to a selected few issues, and the rest will be available upon request. As always, I welcome any feedback or suggestions--and yes, I try to take constructive criticism very well!!

I hope you're enjoying my newsletters and content, but most of all, I hope you're learning with me, keeping an open mind, and questioning everything along the way.

Till next month,

-Krystle C.

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