Monday, April 19, 2010

Answering the Call to Live Deeply

By Bill Gerlach | Follow me on Twitter

The more I look around the more I see a movement underway.

People are feeling a subtle yet constant tug – like an eager toddler at your legs – that something is awry in their life and the life of the world. Many have put their hopes in material happiness. Yet now, those same people are seeking to establish a new balance in their lives, abandoning the pursuit of ‘more’ that consumerism has pushed upon us and the resulting disconnect with the natural world it has fostered. 

People are plugged in more and outside less. They are buying more things and turning a blind eye to the impact that such pillage of the natural world brings with it. We have reached a point of needing to 'save' the only home we—and all those future generations—will ever have.

When you live deeply you:

•    Shed the unnecessary and embrace what remains
•    Are one with Nature, not apart or above it
•    Allow mindfulness to bring the present moment into focus
•    Live by example and share this insight with others, especially children

This journey takes time and patience but it is worth the taking.

For me, this journey is taking a new and exciting turn. My new blog project—launching very soon—will allow me to pursue this call to live more deeply and connect with all those around the world who are feeling that same tug. I can’t wait to share it with you and invite you to join the journey too.

To be among the first to know when the new site launches, please consider subscribing to Sustainable Sakonnet today via RSS feed or Email. Or follow me on Twitter.

Until next time, I leave you with an excerpt from the poem “The Children” by Gary Snyder:

stay together
learn the flowers
go light


Be well,
Bill

[Image: Ben Heine via Flickr]

8 comments:

tillerman said...

I hope you won't mind my pointing out an irony in your post... because I fee a similar contradiction in my own life.

You bemoan the fact that "people are plugged in more and outside less." You encourage us to become "one with Nature."

But then the thing you are most excited about is...your new blog project.

I suspect your new blog project will have some relation to nature and the environment... but I do worry sometimes that being connected electronically and being one with Nature are so often in conflict rather than in harmony with each other.

Having said that I'm going to turn off my computer and go for a bike ride down your way!

BILL GERLACH said...

tillerman,

as always, i appreciate you taking the time to read and comment!

yes, the new blog project will be about that. but it's not the thing I'm MOST excited about. That will always be watching my kids experience life each day. The project is important, but one of the keys to living that balanced life is knowing what your priorities are and focusing on them in the right order.

And when you work on your blog project between 9:00 and 11:00 each night -- after the kids are put in bed and the house picked up -- you don't have to worry about sacrificing your outside/Nature time ;-). Heck, I'll even try to spend a few minutes gazing up at the stars while I'm bringing the recyclables out to the bin!

Take care!

Kathy said...

My life is more balanced than a lot of people's but so often I feel pulled in 20 different directions. Still, I make time to stop and notice nature. It's everywhere if we'd just pay attention:

Giant toad in the woodpile a couple days ago!Biggest one I've ever seen.

tillerman said...

Good point. I did pass by World HQ for Sustainable Sakonnet Enterprises plc on my bike ride today. At least I went by a house with the name Gerlach on the mailbox and a bunch of raised beds in the back yard so I assume that was the place. Nice spot!

BILL GERLACH said...

tillerman -- that's the place. next time you're in the neighborhood and see us outside, stop by and introduce yourself in person!

tillerman said...

Will do. Didn't see anybody outside today.

Tvergastein said...

Hello from Norway !

I have been following your blog for some time now and your thoughts and perspectives are much appreciated.

This particular post caught my interest as I myself have found what you write to be very true, and for the past year I have started to take action on the subject, not just talking about it.

As such I am really looking forward to your new blog.

Erik

BILL GERLACH said...

Erik,

Hello from Rhode Island!

Thanks for the well wishes. I'm so glad you find Sustainable Sakonnet of value.

Be on the lookout for the announcement very, very soon!