News from 'The Renewable Way' for Summer 08

How to achieve sustainable abundance

The picture shown above on the left was taken on 6^th April and the one on the right on the 12^th June. The main difference between them is the visible effect of sunlight, rain and good soil. The less important but nonetheless satisfying human contribution has been adding compost, covering some plants early in their life (two cloches are visible in the vegetable garden, as is the greenhouse), watering dry soil and providing some support (notably the pergola for flowering climbers and temporary poles and netting for the peas and beans). You will also notice that I took the first photograph behind glass because of the cold outside (as the reflection of my hands reveals) whilst when I took the second it was warm enough to open the window, without fear of loosing any energy from the house (quite the reverse, in fact). For me these pictures help to illustrate a Simple Truth, which is the core value for everyone who strives to achieve anything and also a great spiritual source of inspiration.

It is impossible to be permanently unsustainable. Therefore if humanity carries on as at present change will happen and that is guaranteed to be unwelcome for those who like things as they currently are. Unfortunately, sustainable development is presented as if the focus is on what we must deny ourselves, especially by those who do not really understand. I became aware of this mistaken tendency when I attended two recent events here in Staffordshire, both of which were designed to launch what were considered by the organisers to be important new initiatives. No wonder so many find ‘going green’ unappealing. My reaction was to verbally suggest an alternatively view, which I have now put into writing and is called: ‘Achieving the 21^st Century Dream – Sustainable Abundance’. I hope that it encourages a new way at looking at the world (one that I believe is actually more real than some widely accepted current alternatives), which can lead to new ideas and positive action. I hope that you will find it of interest and inspiration. It is time for us all to make a new beginning.

We are now in the last few weeks of my wife’s teaching career and are looking forward to spending even more time with our family and garden and doing things new and old differently. Very recently, my sister-in-law (who was also a teacher by profession) died suddenly. I felt that my brother captured the hope in another natural occurrence that is often viewed negatively when he said that ‘perhaps she was ready for the next adventure’. May that be true for all of us in whatever part of our greater life we find ourselves?

I wish you an abundant summer.

Paul Newman

June 2008