Archive for March, 2008

"In a viable neighborhood, neighbors ask themselves what they can do or provide for one another, and they find answers that they and their place can afford. This, and nothing else, is the practice of neighborhood." -Wendell Berry, "The Idea of a Local Economy," Orion magazine, 2002.

In recent years, Baltimoreans have enjoyed a steady growth of earth-friendly businesses. Among the many pleasures and benefits of buying locally: merchants and restaurateurs become your friends and your money stays in the community. A study in Maine by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance found that local businesses have a much greater positive impact on their economy than the big box chains. For every $100 spent in a big box store, only $14 stays in the local economy. By contrast, $100 spent in a local business results in $45 staying locally.

Continued

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcU4t6zRAKg[/youtube]

This guy thinks that the “sea, birds, and fish are beyond the environment.” In other words not a part of it…hmm..? Check it out.

What is the difference
Between your experience of Existence
And that of a saint?

The saint knows
That the spiritual path
Is a sublime chess game with God

And that the Beloved
Has just made such a Fantastic Move

That the saint is now continually
Tripping over Joy
And bursting out in Laughter
And saying, “I Surrender!”

Whereas, my dear,
I am afraid you still think

You have a thousand serious moves.

Hafiz

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELa5CHsUepo[/youtube]

Greg Cantori, Executive Director of the Knott Foundation, and an avid bicyclist, discovered “Ciclovia” while visiting Bogota, Colombia. Every Sunday, they close 70 miles of streets from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Up to 2 million residents bike, rollerblade, walk, do group exercise classes, and generally enjoy themselves.

Greg immediately set about importing this community-wide exercise program to Baltimore. Here is what he envisions that Sunday Streets will mean for Baltimore:

• Increased activity -physical activity, economic activity and tourism.

• Youth engagement and employment opportunities

• Clean air and some quiet for a day

• Free exercise classes – Frankly few people can access health clubs, and what’s so fun about being stuck indoors when our whole city is available and waiting for us? Let’s get out and spin, dance, stretch, twirl, run and jump!

• Social re-engagement – This is our physical INTERNET. We provide the network (routing) and our entrepreneurs and communities go from there. Imagine the possibilities…..

• Putting Baltimore on the map nationally for something extremely positive that fosters real Happiness.

Already thousands of people know about it – let’s make it 10,000, 100,000 and then a million. Isn’t this a perfect, visible program to help promote Mayor Dixon’s “cleaner, greener” Baltimore? Tell everyone you know about this, and if you have any questions, contact Greg Cantori (gcantori(at)knottfoundation.org) or Carol Silldorff (carolsilldorff(at)comcast.net).

A sustainable-building-materials company, Alterego focuses on ecologically-sound flooring, tiling, and solid surfaces. The company’s showroom, located on Frederick Road in Catonsville, Maryland, features flooring fashioned from bamboo, cork, linoleum and rubber; Sandhill and all-natural-terrazzo tiles; and a variety of surface-coverings made from recycled materials. Alterego’s website lists links to local sustainable-design news and events, as well.

March 29th, 2008 the lights will go out in major metropolitan cities around the world. Join in the peaceful protest of the rising energy crisis. “Created to take a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced, Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming.” Sign up on their website and pledge that you’ll turn your lights out March 29th, 2008 between 8pm-9pm or learn what you can do everyday of the year.

“To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else.” – Emily Dickenson.

Why is it – no matter how well you manage (or think you manage) your time there never seems to be enough? We all say- time goes by too fast. Actually, what I’ve realized is that time doesn’t go by any faster than it ever has – it’s just me getting older – and, every day that goes by, I feel it more and more.

The issue of time comes up in most of my conversations, not just my professional ones! It’s a universal concern – and so curious – we are all given one precious life to live within the parameters of some unknown lifespan and most people constantly struggle with a lack of time. This paradox is definitely a cosmic set up – and also our greatest opportunity to find freedom.

This is not going to be an article on time management. Suffice it to say there are many excellent tools and models for managing your time. I propose the ultimate solution isn’t time management at all, it’s time mindfulness. Continued