Editorial
Sally Van Vleck
There is a growing sense that things are "not right" with life on Earth, and that the situation is getting worse instead of better. (As I write this, sitting out by the lake, the persistent and aggravating sound of a chainsaw destroying yet another tree on this point of land is a grim reminder of this basic "not rightness".) Now, before you decide not to read on because you don't want to get depressed, I'd like to assure you that I have an invincible optimism and do not feel hopeless. But we need to look clearly and honestly at what is happening so that we can fix it. Satisfying our human needs and at the same time not overtaxing Earth's natural systems is the balancing act that is crucial for our survival. It's called "living within our means" and much of our culture in the developed world is based instead on materialism and consumption no matter what the cost to the Earth.How do we regain our balance? Let's start with personal sustainability by taking more time for ourselves for personal rejuvenation. We need to maintain strong bodies and peaceful minds so that we can have the stamina and endurance to work for social change. So, go sit by a tree and meditate. Or, if you like gathering with others, consider attending one of our November workshops at Neahtawanta: Roger's Yoga Weekend (for men) or "The Practice of Personal Peace" led by Tom Shea.
We need to examine our habits and root out the ones which place unfair demands on Earth's systems. This will cause us inconvenience, discomfort and sacrifice. We need to drive our cars less, consume less, use fewer resources and help each other more.
I believe in finding "the good" in any situation, no matter how bleak. The Good I see in this global crisis is that as we work towards solutions we are building stronger, more compassionate communities whose members care deeply about each other. The name Gatherings that we have chosen for this newsletter is a reflection of this coming together to support each other on our path to sustainability. Our local action group, GAG, is another example&emdash;through the use of humor and collective action we find the perspective to laugh at our obstacles and the energy to act on our beliefs.
We include an article by local activist/witch, Sally Neal, about her experience in Washington, D.C. at the IMF/World Bank protest. This demonstration, along with the Seattle protest a year ago, and the current protest in Australia at the World Economic Forum are all examples of "the good" emerging in response to a global crisis. The resistance which has grown in response to economic globalization is pervasive, diverse and persistent. Even in the face of police violence which has been present at every one of these demonstrations, the protesters are personally committed to nonviolence and willing to sacrifice their well-being and even their lives to stop the destructive path of globalization.
So, we can all make sacrifices, large and small, and in doing so, we strengthen our interconnectedness and power to stand up for what's right. We don't all have to be on the "front lines" but we can nurture peace and justice in our lives every day.