Sustainability tips by Jesus Saenz

Sustainable Living Tip:

1. Unplug electronics not in use. Even if it's off the current keeps on flowing.
2. If financially possible install a switch that cuts power away from rooms not in use. Saves time and energy. It's like unplugging all electronics not in use at the same time, with just a switch.
3. Don't let water run while brushing, or washing hands.

Namaste, and may you live a beautiful and sustainable future.

Letting Go is the Hardest Option Sometimes

The world presents us with challenges every day. When you see with your eyes the reality of situations you can make options that are right or wrong clearly. Although, sometimes we want to do too much and we become blinded and in reality we do more harm than actual good. My story starts with a poor boy named Kale. This is Kale's story.

Kale was a boy who lost everything. His home, family, and siblings were absent and he had absolutely nothing to hold on to besides the horrible life he carried on his shoulders. Food was scarce and he'd pray day after day for scraps of anything he could sink his teeth into. Weeks went by, and there was less and less food to be found. Water was another issue, and to find it he would have to dig in some very unbearable places. Dumpsters became homes and feeding areas. Kale would sleep on the hard concrete, under tables, chairs, and bridges. People would kick him out of the way, he had no voice. 

One glorious day he was walking heavily through the park and met some interesting looking folks. Something told him that these people would help, something in his conscious mind told him he could finally eat! The group spotted him from afar, and at first they couldn't make out who Kale was. To them Kale appeared like a deformed figure, he was a walking skeleton with flesh hanging by chance. Kale was a walking corpse to them. They felt the need to help, it was a calling! 

Food was bought, and water was brought for him. Kale's broken face saw light for the first time after weeks of not seeing a decent meal; it reminded him of home. He ate, he drank and he thought that this bowl of food and water must not leave his sight! He laid down next to both bowls and never took his weak stare off of them. In his mind this could literally be the last meal he might ever see. 

The group looked and saw the pain, the weakness, and the hunger of Kale; they were struck with pain themselves at the poor boy's state of being. Lane was affected the most from the group. He felt the pain bury itself deep in his heart, he needed to do something. He felt the need to move the mountains of trouble that were impeding Kale from living. 

Kale was happy. He couldn't physically express it but in his mind he was delighted by all the food and water that was being presented to him. He attempted to make contact with some of the group members, and even though some didn't accept his expressions there were some who welcomed him warmly and he appreciated it. Kale was extremely thankful.

After some playing around, he would tire and return to lie next to his bowls. It was nearing the end of the day and the group was discussing to maybe give Kale another helping hand and aid him in getting him in touch with a facility that could provide food, water, and shelter so he can get fully on his feet, and unto a new life. Lane took this idea and made sure it was amplified and done. He felt it needed to be done, or Kale would surely die. 

The group agreed and it was time for the movement. Kale was to be taken by James and Ernie to the shelter. Lane told Kale, but Kale refused in the beginning. Lane insisted and urged Kale to make the move. Kale began walking but soon after decided it wasn't going to be a good idea and sat on the floor in disagreement. Lane took a bowl of food and showed it to Kale, and this surely gave Kale a reason to move, and so he did. Kale started following the plate of food, until he realized that the group was leading him to a road and he, again, sat down and refused. 

James began thinking that it may be a bad idea to lead Kale like this. James thought Kale should be left alone and in his familiar place. James knew Kale wanted this. Lane disproved and made it clear to the group that Kale has no voice in the world, and no will to create a better life for himself. Kale was defenseless and hopeless in Lane's eyes. Lane urged James to bring the car around, it was time to change the tactics. James started for the car, but in disapproval. This rescue mission is turning out differently than expected.

Lane asked for some help from the others to trap Kale in a soft blanket so he could be moved inside the car efficiently. Kale kept disapproving but he was too weak to fight back and run away. Lane wrapped him in and placed him inside the car, but as soon as Lane was going to close the door Kale found a way to break free and jump out of the car. James then reminded Lane that maybe it was best to leave him be, but Lane demanded that this mission must be fulfilled. Kale's face went from delight to fear.

Lane, with the help of some others, finally got Kale inside the car. It was to be done. James began looking for the address of the shelter but the phones started malfunctioning, the GPS wouldn't work for some reason. A new GPS was found and it mapped the way. Nearing the shelter a sign stopped James and horror stripped away any hope he had for poor Kale. NO MORE ADDITIONAL SPACE...

James looked back at Kale who was scared and searching for an exit. Kale began shedding tears; he was seeing his life coming to a scary end. James saw the horror, he became frustrated. Calls were made for additional shelters but nothing. James decided that the only thing left was to bring him home and leave him at a shelter first thing tomorrow morning. Kale's mind was back at the park, back at the bowl of food that was stripped out of his poor little hands. 

Nearing the end of the trip Kale vomited all over the back seat of James car, an accident that came at a heavy cost. The car didn't belong to James, now it was soaked in vomit. James knew now he couldn't bring him home because of the vomit, the owner who lived with him would throw him out on the street. Kale would have to be thrown back on the street, but this time it would be an unfamiliar hazardous street. James needed to act quickly. 

The car was stopped at a different park; James told Kale that he needed to get off. He promised Kale that he would return the next morning. Kale cried, Kale looked back and with his stare told James he didn't want to get off, this land was completely alien to him, and James knew that it wasn't just alien; it was also more dangerous than the park where Kale left from. James apologized, but it was the best thing he could do at the moment, there wasn't enough fuel to drive back anyways. Kale's expression became expressionless and dead. James was struck down with regret.

As James was driving away he heard the sobs of Kale. The farther he got the fainter his sobs became, until the sobbing became silent and nonexistent. James was heartbroken, but he made it very clear that he would return. 

The challenges the world presents us can cause extreme pain, or great loss. The story of Kale is one of hope, one of loss, and one of pain. It is good to be good, but it is better to think things through when attempting any good deed. Sometimes the better deed is the one you reject; the one you think won't help because past experiences have shown that the deed is not a good one. In some cases... it is. In the case of Kale staying homeless and leaving him be was the best choice. The group was not prepared and emotions got the best of them. 

By Jesus Saenz

My Narrow Ridge - Ari

     

Well, I guess I can start by saying that when the plane was heading to Tennessee I had at least four recognizable emotions in my stomach: excitement, anxiousness, nervousness, and fear. I had no idea who Bill and Mitzi were or where exactly I was going and what exactly was I pulling myself into. "Are they nice folks? Will I make a good impression? Will the people who I am traveling with like me?" At least a hundred of these questions boggled my mind in that two hour flight to Knoxville. Little did I know that this experience would become one of the most beautiful moments of my life. 

We hiked. We laughed. I fell. We ate. We shared. We gardened. We talked. We walked. We hardly slept because of our dreams, worries, futures, life, and laughs and that was just day two. I met my musical soul mates at Narrow Ridge and my Earth-siblings as well. I never thought I would get so close to people I've just met - it felt like I knew them my whole life instead of a few days.  

As I began to explore the land, I found my sanctuary place at Narrow Ridge. It was a place of meditation, relaxation, and exploration. I believe that that is one of the best things that Narrow Ridge enables you to do - being able to explore and feel this sense of calmness and security and of being "home" all at the same time. I found myself there and realized many things about myself. It's also just fine to hear the wind - I liked that the most when I was in my sanctuary place. Slowly, the Earth started to show herself to me with Bill and Mitzi as the tour guides. Bill is this wise grandpa who you don't want to stop talking - ever. Mitzi is this great woman with the voice of an angel - literally, you have to hear her sing.  Her rawness draws you to her; she brings light into a room. I am very grateful in getting to know them and introducing me to the great people who reside at Narrow Ridge. They opened up the biophilic persona who was hiding in me. With their great hospitality and opened hearts and minds, I grew to love them, respect them, and consider them a great influence as well. 

The ultimate best moment of the trip was when we took a night hike. I was nervous and had a little sense of fear. I am not afraid of the dark, I am just worried about the unknown that resides in the dark. When we finally laid down on a tarp in this field and looked up, the sky started to manifest herself slowly with each passing hour. I saw the Big Dipper and Leo. I saw a shooting star - it was beautiful. I wish I had more to words to describe it but I can't. There are some things in life that have to experienced and never spoken of - this was one of those times. For the first time in my life I felt so small under that big dome full of stars; I wish I could see that night sky everyday. 

Narrow Ridge taught me not only how to look at the Earth differently and the environmental issues that my generation is facing today, but also about community and strength. It taught me that you are never  really alone in this adventure called life. If you are willing to put your hand out, there will be a hand to receive it. I know that I will do something bigger than myself in this lifetime and I will have people who I can rely on and pick me up when I'm falling - my Earth siblings. I will never forget Narrow Ridge or Bill and Mitzi. It's one of those things in life you can't forget and won't forget. I will be back one day so I can share also my Narrow Ridge with those who will start their journey, just like I did.

Thank you Bill Nickel, Mitzi Woods, Brad Stocker, Chris Migliaccio, and others you made my trip possible and awesome since day one. With much love, be well - A