EARTH MOTHERS

Visiting Blowing Rock in the North Carolina’s high country recently, I was taken by a few friends to a wonderful lunch spot where our server began to engage in her views about sustainability. This was brought on after we complemented the establishment for offering paper straws. At 23, Allison has already nurtured her inner Earth Mother and quickly let us know that her caring for the planet was wholesome. Being delighted by finding her tucked into the mountains of what might be called a rather conservative forest, we egged on her tales of living a sustainable life.

From buying only repurposed clothing to selling plants in vintage cups and vases, she gave meaning to my interests in what I call Eco + Logic concepts, beyond political and into a balanced existence in partnership with Earth. In the great Smoky Mountains, she was able to be a student, serve customers and carve out a niche business that seemed promising to everyone at our table. Her view of the world can be summed up in a story she allowed. Seems that beyond the issue of getting rid of the plastic straws, she was baffled by why Americans might never accept silver ware straws. After all, we all, yes 99.9999999% of red blooded USA-ers stick metal flatware in our mouths whenever dining out.  So, why not a metal straw? Seems, that in her unscientific café polling, her feedback on this promotion was akin to. “Ewe, we wouldn't suck from a straw that had been in someone else’s mouth.”  But hey, everyone loves to lick that ice scream spoon dry after a big clump of Rocky Road.

The conversation soon moved on to keeping rags around to substitute for paper towels, and never taking plastic bags from the grocery. In Allison’s world, everything is repurposed, recycled and Earth worthy.

Having taught a masters communications class at the University of Florida this past year, I gave the students a class project to choose being a PR professional at a company or non-profit and designing a national campaign to eliminate plastic straws as a prime service item. The results were promising and the students took to the assignment with high energy and thoughtfulness.  Hope springs eternal.

The act of using up all of Earth’s natural resource in a few generations is ludicrous, yet we are doing just that. Discussions about the reasonableness of living a sustainable life immediately will plunge one into the deep dark space of political polarization.  In many ways, we are unworthy of a benevolent Earth. We seem unfit to be our planet’s partners.  That is shame.

It is so comforting to find an Allison among us. She was cool, with it, and feeling her role as a young steward of nature and humanity. And, lest you paint her into a corner to fit your neat view of the world, she’s a hunter who eats what she kills and kills what may threaten her.

Perhaps we can begin a broader discussion about working together for a planet that is prosperous in natural resources, today and in the years to come.

eco^logic with peaceradioman.com

RESPECT

It is the case that funerals can be moments of reflection that speak to the future. The voice from the grave is often clear and honest. The voices around the service are about wisdom.  John McCain’s funeral offers all Americans an opportunity to look inward. In many ways, he embodied the view of patriotism, honor and nobility that can lift a nation’s flag from its half-staff to a shining wave of compassion and core principles based on liberty and justice for all Americans. Today, I think about the man, not of my party, but of my respect for showing the true patriot’s backbone. Like my father, his war tenure was about preserving peace. We should listen to his voice as he is laid to rest with his fellow soldiers.  And, while I may disagree with some of his political stands, I don’t question his character.  His America is one of honor, truth and service. In that we agree. 

McCain was right when he said, “No one of us, if they have character, leaves behind a wasted life. We sacrifice for something greater than ourselves.” At his funeral, Henry Kissinger said,  “That is a moral duty. Even in his parting he has restored a sense of unity and a renewed space for a new America.” Hopefully his departure will give pause for all of us to imagine a better and more perfect union because we are better than this today.

In the same week, we say goodbye to two spirited individuals with forceful messages. From the Queen of Soul given back to Mother Earth, we now hear the most important and wisest hymn of eternal peace in song.

RESPECT.