From Bettering Ourselves to Bettering Our World: Permission to Take a Stand for Something

Editor’s Note: This post is inspired in part by an email exchange I’ve had over the past week with Lynn Fang of Upcycled Love. If you’re not reading her work, I highly recommend checking it out. Powerful and inspiring. At some point in this Great Change that so much of the blogosphere is concerned with, the person sitting in front of the screen has to turn their attention from gazing into a mirror to gazing out their front door. Shifting from... Read More

Why I Threw Away $40,000 (Or a Lesson In the “Just In Case Syndrome”)

“Our primary identity has become that of consumer, not mothers, teachers, farmers, but consumers. The primary way that our value is measured and demonstrated is by how much we contribute to this arrow, how much we consume.” ~ Annie Leonard, The Story of Stuff Since the spring I’ve been on another purge spree — taking a look around and figuring out what I no longer needed or wanted and getting rid of it. More books, over 100... Read More

Five Simple Ways to Make This Back-to-School Season a Bit Greener (and Cheaper!)

[Editor's Note: These last few weeks have turned into a bit of an impromptu digital sabbatical as I focus on other things. You know what? It's been nice being away from the screen. As the season starts to wind down, I hope you too can find time to unplug, get outside and enjoy what the world has to offer. Perhaps you can curl up with my new e-book to help you slow down and shift your perspective. As always, thanks for your readership.] [space] The... Read More

An Open Letter to CEOs Who Make and Sell Stuff

[Editor's Note: If you would like to use any or all of this for the CEOs in your life or as the basis for a letter to the editor of your local paper or even a blog post, feel free to do so.] space Dear Sir/Ma’am, I am taking the liberty to write to you on behalf of every single thing that calls this planet home. Most don’t know about it, but I’m sure they won’t mind. Their best interests are at hand. In respect of your time (I know you are... Read More

Meditation: Rhythms

[Note: Each Monday at The New Pursuit is Meditation Monday. A simple thought to help you approach the week, keep perspective right and support you in living deeply each day. Enjoy other meditations here.] space There is a natural rhythm to life. Sunrises, sunsets; the coming and going of seasons; migrations to and from. From the proverbial seed to shoot to fruit – all life rises to and falls from an apex. Too often we choose to follow... Read More

“When Your Heart is Beautiful”: Relishing the Simple Insights of Children

BY BILL GERLACH | JOIN ME ON TWITTER “I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may, – light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful.” — John Constable A few weeks back, I was having a conversation with my five-year-old daughter that just knocked the wind out of me. It was one of those moments as a parent that humbles you to the core and makes you realize how much our children have... Read More