Today is Earth Day. My business Carpe Diem Wellness is a dba of another business that my husband and I started several years ago called Innovative Green Solutions. A few years ago we participated in Earth Day in Washington DC as we were instrumental in building the world’s first railroad bridge out of recycled plastic. Both of these businesses reflect our values around sustainability. My husband is now dedicating his time, energy, resources and focus on a new sustainable business. He is focused on preserving our precious resources through recycling and recreating clean glass. 

 

Today, we are reminded how important sustainability is in everything we are and do. It’s a good day to develop a practice of discrimination and discernment. As I said in my book, Savvy Secrets, Eat, Think And Thrive, food is either life affirming or can lead us into deprivation and early death. The same is try for our thoughts and our actions.

 

I am also in yin yoga teacher training today and this weekend. Yoga philosophy includes the idea of Karma, that every action creates an effect. Yin Yoga is a new ancient practice born out of our search for balance and freedom from suffering. It is a powerful and trans-formative tool and a natural progression in your yoga practice.

 

We all have the need for both silence and reflection as well as action. We need both if we are to discover and then manifest our dharma or our purpose in life. We need to honor and accept both; the yin and yang, the light and the darkness, what we label as the good and the bad. 

 

There are many examples of this found in nature. The seed must grow deep roots in the dark nourishing mud before the plant moves toward the sunlight. The beautiful fruit and flower is the result of both the darkness and the light. Neither is right or wrong or better than the other, it just is. 

 

How do we transform ourselves as well as our environment? We take an honest personal assessment; without judgement or shame. We accept what is so we can discern how to best respond. Will we react out of fear and anger or respond out of love and compassion? 

 

No matter what your political viewpoints are, today will you reflect on sustainability? A wise man said, “You don’t have to be wrong in order for me to be right.” How do we make sustainability a priority for the sake of our children and grandchildren in all of our decisions?

 

Here’s a couple of ways to take action. If you are in Northern Virginia, Salud Healthy Pantry is offering to sustain-ably recycle your old electronics today through Sunday. Stop by and support a local vendor offering local sustainable and organic offerings. Breathe deeply and give thanks for all that are working towards a more sustainable world. Spend some time in silence to reflect on how you can nourish life and our planet. 

 

With Love & Gratitude,

 

Lisa

Lisa is an author, inspirational speaker, retired RN, certified health coach, and yoga teacher.

Her book, Savvy Secrets: Eat, Think & Thrive: Seven Steps to Optimal Health is a self health book to enable healing from within. Her goal is to inspire wellness and to help others look and feel their best at any age.

Lisa is part of the New Self Health Movement, the International Health Coach Association and the Wellness Inspired Network. She is the mother of four adult children, a Grandmother, and believes that optimal health should not be a secret! When she is not coaching, speaking and writing, you can find her practicing yoga and joyfully sharing Carpe Diem Dance at every opportunity.