"When a person cannot deceive himself, the chances are against his being able to deceive other people." ~ Mark Twain

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees

for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body

love what it loves.

from Mary Oliver's poem "Wild Geese"

Spiritual Ecology

"Ecology is defined as the science of the relationships between organisms and their environment. Generally we think of these relationships as being of a physical nature, but historically and practically, it is not. A beings environment is not only physical but we have an emotional as well as spiritual environments. Those of us who have been researching the spiritual environment of this world will usually agree that the spiritual proceeds the physical. That means that if there is a physical problem there is usually a spiritual problem behind it, and if we address the physical without addressing the spiritual, the resulting changes will be short lived. If, however, we address the spiritual and set the underlying problem right, the physical rights itself. This is because right relationships and honoring on the spiritual ensures right relationships and honoring on the physical."

Ecopsychology

"Ecopsychology, or eco-psychology as it is sometimes called, is situated at the intersection of a number of fields of enquiry, including environmental philosophy, psychology, and ecology, but is not limited by any disciplinary boundaries. At its core, ecopsychology suggests that there is a synergistic relationship between planetary and personal well being; that the needs of the one are relevant to the other."

The International Community for Ecopsychology http://ecopsychology.org/

The New American Dream (click here)

More Fun

Less Stuff

The New American Dream http://www.newdream.org/

THE EARTHMAN BLUES

You Are Part of The Hope for The World

"When you work to improve things in the world ~ to make things better ~ to help the Earth or help to relieve some of the suffering of humanity ~ you become part of a network of hope for this world we live in."

Important Bulletin Regarding Our Environment (click here)

"EXPLORE, ENJOY AND PROTECT THE PLANET"

Visit the Sierra Club website: http://www.sierraclub.org/

"Supporting Each Other"

Nature Nurtures, Nature Heals

If we could "let go" of all the things we "think" we "have to do" and only do what we REALLY "have to do"....REALLY have to be "responsible" for....we'd have the time for things to flow more naturally in our lives and have less stress.

The answer is not in "addictions" that help to kill the pain....but in lifestyle changes towards understanding nature and nature's cycles to have a more fulfilling life.

Making Mistakes

Sharing, generosity, honesty, and knowing right from wrong are basic core values of civilization. Making mistakes is fine. But, the most important thing about mistakes is to learn from them. Some of the things we gain more of when we recognize and correct our mistakes are....humility, self-honesty, patience, a sense of responsibility, respect for others, and some inner peace.

2007: Addiction Recovery Must Begin

photo by Craig Smith

Many times in recent years, I've read about America being an "addicted society". Abusive over-consumption of oil, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, shopping, eating ....to name just a few....has and is continuing to take its toll on our citizens. And, it's no "one" individual's fault. It is something that slowly occurred and then escalated over many, many years of subtle persuasions of certain things that in excess were neither healthy nor good for us....but were made to "look good" through the advertising of financially lucrative businesses that had much to gain by doing so.

So here we are in the beginning of the 21st century with a massive segment of our beloved population....in this very difficult and painful circumstance....that affects their finances, their relationships and their entire lives ....that they need "to give up "and "yet can't "at the same time. They are in a negative spiral they can't get out of.

Four out of six of my own "core" family members were substance dependent and are now dead. And, some of the dearest people I've ever known have been or still are substance abusive. I know the relationship baggage that comes along with knowing and loving a person who has an unhealthy self-destructive addiction. It's a hard road for all involved and can be devastating to families and communities.

Once someone gets into a negative-self-destructive loop, it takes so much energy and will power to get out of it and the vast majority give up. In the cycles of the seasons in the world of nature, "winter" is a time of rest and renewal, and since we're just at the beginning of a brand new year, this is an especially good time to think about where we want to go from here.

Of course, my point of reference is "first" to get outdoors and clear our heads a little by being with nature and the more natural things on this earth....to get in touch with something that's naturally part of you. It gives you a chance to think about "what really is the life you want to live?" and one step at a time, one day at a time, just begin to try to live it. Just maybe by going outdoors once in a while, you may find yourself making better decisions than you have before ~ for your precious life. Just start somewhere to begin improving your life. And, remember: "If you've never made a mistake, you've never lived." I don't know who wrote that but it works good for me! :) ~ Patty Ann Smith

Betty Ford Center

The Year of "Love".... 2007

"Let's try to get rid of some of our excessive and unnecessary "mental" activity that can get in the way of our hearts. Balance is the "key", and
we must let go of that which does not belong to us. Bless it and let it go...so we can see clearly the purpose of our hearts." ~ Patty Ann Smith