In this issue:
-A slice of sustainability
-Staying focused
-In the works

::A SLICE OF SUSTAINABILITY::

I always argue that at the root of our relationship with the environment is our mindset, or our perception of it. Never did that ring so true as it did this month.

I was in a pizza store when the man taking my order struck up a conversation. He ended up asking me what my major was at school and when I replied "Environmental Studies," he gave me a funny look. After a brief pause, he said "It's f***ed up. That's all you need to know." Then he added, "There's nothing we can do 'cause the government won't let us."

I had a bus to catch, so I just paid and left politely. But even if I wasn't in a rush, I don't think I would've stayed and talked. I wouldn't have wanted to waste my time trying to change the pizza guy's mind. Not because he wasn't worth it, or because I don't think it would've made a difference, but because there are many more people in the world who think to themselves "Yes, it IS f***ed up. But I want to know more. I want to know why it's f***ed up, and how I can help."

I'm one of those people. And if you're receiving this newsletter, you probably are, too.

I'm not big on trying to change people's minds. In that man's mind, the decision was made, and it would've taken a lot of my energy to show him otherwise. I leave the mind-changing to writers like Daniel Quinn.

I'm more concerned with what we're supposed to do once our minds are changed...once we realize that the environment isn't "f***ed up," that we're not "f***ed up" either, and that the only thing that isn't working is the system we live in.

::STAYING FOCUSED::

I recently returned to school after nearly two years of introspection. But even after spending all that time getting my ducks in a row, I still have to struggle to maintain a vision of what I want to do. School has a way of expanding in your schedule and clouding your priorities.

If there's anything I've learned during my time at school, it's that formal education is not compatible with personal vision. I say this because I hear of a lot of people going to school to "find themselves." But when I was at school, I was flooded with distractions, and "finding yourself" is hard when you have a paper due the next morning and 60 pages to read by the next week.

I've been working on an article on this very topic, but, ironically enough, I've been so busy doing my homework that I haven't had enough time to write it! I'm lucky I was able to find the time to write this newsletter.

It's hard to stay focused. It's hard to ignore crises and stop putting out fires. As I've said before, leaves are everywhere. But if we're ever going to make a lasting difference, we need do our best to get our priorities straight.

Sometimes, when I'm feeling overwhelmed by school or by work, I just put everything aside and think about why I'm doing all of this in the first place.

And then I remember the man in the pizza store, or the porpoises in the Gulf of Maine...and I'm reminded that my ultimate goal is to help create a system where all of them can live sustainably.

::IN THE WORKS::

I have a number of pieces waiting to make their way onto SustainableWays.com, including an article titled: "The Ecology of College." If you'd like to contribute, write and let me know how college has affected you and your views on sustainability.

I'm also planning to do a few book reviews, especially The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge. I'm waiting for my library copy of Stone Age Economics, as well. If you know of any excellent books that might be appropriate for SustainableWays.com, please let me know!

Till next month,

Krystle C.
Creator, www.SustainableWays.com

To unsubscribe, reply to this e-mail and write "Unsubscribe" in the subject area.

All content is protected by copyright law. Do not copy or redistribute without permission.