Feeling frazzled from a move to a new home, while simultaneously meeting an early printer deadline, I decided to attend a breathwork group session, trusting that it would center and inspire me before starting this month’s letter. Through the years, I’ve always benefited from making time to engage in this conscious connected breathing cycle, because it returns me to a state of wholeness and well-being.

I’ve also found that each breathing session becomes a unique experience. This time around, with October’s Environment issue on my mind, insights into my connection to this beautiful living, breathing planet that sustains us all floated in and out of my thoughts as I focused on my breathing. By the end of the allotted hour, I felt a deeper sense about how living our days disconnected from our inner self affects our ability to connect with and care for Mother Earth.

I saw how all of the multitasking, unresolved personal issues and moving stuff around discombobulates us. The more distracted we are, the less focus we are apt to place on simply breathing and being, and tuning into true priorities. I am powerfully reminded that the more we slow down and deeply breathe in what sustains life, the more in sync we will be with our needs and the necessities of our life-support system—Mother Earth. Our next breath, in fact, depends upon it.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed thinking about what it’s going to take to turn things around to save the Earth. But here’s the good news: Millions of individuals and thousands of organizations worldwide are currently working together to implement solutions that support the global campaign to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Brita Belli reports on the practical actions now underway, spearheaded by far-sighted environmental leaders and rallying citizens here and abroad. You’ll find a hopeful perspective in our feature article, “Shaping Our Future: Global Priorities for Earth’s Environment,”.

Of course, private and public collaboration is key in creating a world that works for everyone. Aren’t we all fed up with election campaign mud-slinging that’s aimed to create discordant polarization instead of agreeable solutions? It helps to understand what makes a good leader great and look to proven principles of statesmanship as a guiding light when it’s time to vote. Check out “The Four Qualities of a True Statesman” by Brett and Kate McKay.

Californians also have the opportunity to vote on one of the most important issues of our times this November when they can choose to call for clear labeling of genetically engineered foods in their state—a pivotal issue affecting the health and integrity of our nation’s food supply. We asked several local health practitioners to share their concerns about the health implications of such a precedent to us all.

Every step counts, so please join me in remembering to grab your own reusable beverage container and shopping bags the next time you head out the door, and then keep adding eco-actions large and small to your days. You’ll find plenty of ideas in this month’s issue.

When we take better care of our own well-being, we’re also apt to take better care of Mother Earth. She’s our mama, here with infinite, unconditional love for our own and future generations.

It’s all good,

 

 

 

Sharon Bruckman, Publisher