September 6th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
“There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience.”
My dog, Archie, a cute, white, 10 pound Bichon Frise, has no problem sleeping. He takes naps all day 
long. When it’s time to play or go for a walk, he’s all there, ready to go, jumping in 360-degree circles and full of life. My cat, Suzie Q, a black, demure being who we sometimes feel has shamanistic qualities, also has no problem sleeping. Last time I checked, most other animals like the birds out my window or my horses at the barn, don’t have any problem sleeping either. Our family enjoys deep slumber on a regular basis as well. I realized that I took sleep for granted.
That’s why, when I heard that Michael Jackson paid massive, unthinkable amounts of money and took dangerous risks just to get a good night’s sleep, I began to take a closer look at what’s going on.
About 60 million Americans a year (that’s 1 in 5) have insomnia frequently or for extended periods of time, according to the National Institute of Health.
Hmmm … the yoga teacher in me diagnoses this as
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June 30th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Have you ever heard that, “You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything?” In the mid-80s, this saying stayed with me the whole time I watched the movie, Gandhi. Perhaps I was at a place in my life where I was really ready to get the truth and power behind taking a stand.
If Gandhi could bring down the British Empire by a stand, then anything was possible.
In May, 2005, while I was hosting a Hunter Lovins/Natural Capitalism event in my living room, I declared to everyone that this planet was mine and I stand for a sustainable future for my kids and all generations to come. Immediately after this evening, with candid education from Bill Becker and Hunter, I came to understand the seriousness of global warming. Still … my stand didn’t waver. Instead, I went into ACTION!
I told all the mothers, teenagers, senior citizens, and anyone else who would listen, that our planet’s in jeopardy, and that the people need to lead. My message was not one of panic; rather it was one of responsibility.
As a Colorado citizen, in 2006 I had my company write a check to cover the costs of replacing every single light bulb in our state capital building. This was the beginning of a campaign, called the New Light Project, to expand to every state. I did this to demonstrate my stand and my power as a global citizen. I was certain that politicians and big business would follow once the results were in. Not only is it the right thing to do from an energy standpoint, but the savings are impressive as well!
Today, my instincts proved correct. The article below demonstrates the power of taking a stand. Can you believe it? President Obama is making sure that the light bulbs in the White House are being changed … and that’s just the beginning of New Light.
What are you willing to stand for?
Obama Touts New Light Bulb Standards
President Obama on Monday announced new federal efforts to promote energy efficiency in the United 
States, through stricter standards on fluorescent and incandescent light and other measures.
“I know light bulbs might not seem sexy,” Mr. Obama said, “but this simple action holds enormous promise because 7 percent of all energy consumed in America is used to light our homes and our businesses.”
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June 3rd, 2009 | Uncategorized | 11 Comments »
I may be 47, but damn, I like rock ‘n roll, and all kinds of music.
During the Clinton Global Initiative last September, I was sitting on an aisle chair right near the stage. Former President Bill Clinton always plays good music before the start of each general session. I was in a “let’s rock this place” attitude and ready for the conference to begin with the opening Clinton-facilitated panel. It was entitled A Call to Action with Al Gore, Queen Rania of Jordan, Neville Isdell (Chairman of Coca-Cola), President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia and U2 lead singer Bono.
During the conversation I noticed Bono waving discreetly and giving a peace sign in my general direction. Could he actually be trying to communicate with me? The room included some of the world’s most high-powered politicians, international business leaders, philanthropists, celebrit
ies and heads of state. Why is he trying to get my attention? I waved back, and received a thumbs up and another peace sign. Oh yes, a smile too. During the rest of this opening discussion there was a knowing understanding between us … it was as if we were listening to the same beat from the same drum, even though there wasn’t any music playing in the room. Maybe this is what they mean by catching someone’s vibes.
You might ask what this has to do with sustainability, grassroots movements or new paradigms. Maybe nothing … Maybe everything …
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April 20th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 8 Comments »
I was stunned. I had sat crying uncontrollably for over two hours as I watched the stage performance of Billy Elliot - the Musical at the Victoria Palace in London tonight. What a way to wrap up my 4 day trip to the UK. The culmination of events leading up to the performance only ripened me toward the experience of a blown mind and a melted heart.
It was only after reading Elton John’s words that I began to even find my writer’s voice to pen this blog:
“I am extraordinarily proud of what Lee [Hall] and I have created for the stage musical of Billy Elliot. The show demonstrates everything I love about the power of art. It can inspire you. It can transform lives. Art can make you look at life in a way you never have before. And it can take you places well beyond your wildest dreams.”
My loss of words, which for those who know me may seem an impossible phenomenon, wasn’t simply a result of the show. The process began when I showed up for my yoga teacher training early Saturday morning. In a heated room full of people from several countries, I followed a demanding set of instructions for hours. The secret was to keep my mind out of the room and let my body flow. I can’t remember how long I hung out in Downward Facing Dog pose, but I experienced burning through my shoulders, down my arms and across my chest, while the sensation of my heart melting permeated my body. At one point, I realized that I was not the only one in this alchemic process. I glanced to my right and saw Rick dripping buckets of sweat and then glanced to my left and saw a middle aged British woman with a red head band pushing herself to the point of shaking arms and strenuous breathing. We were going through the eye of the needle together and having the same realization … we were stronger than we knew.
After the morning session, the room was beaming with light, the kind of light that shines through when a shell or crust has a crack or has completely broken open.
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