My Vision

My vision for the world is for Earth to be a healthy and vibrant place where interconnections are supported and all life thrives as an interdependent ecosystem in which humanity plays its part in insuring that health. We are the only species with a global perspective and the only species that can recognize and appreciate the magic that has to exist to create the beauty and exquisitely sensitive balance that makes Life possible on Earth.

Life (with a capital) is not just existence but about the joy and rapture that happen when we recognize the majesty that surrounds us. It happens when we recognize our part in it and experience gratitude for being alive. As we accept our responsibility to maintain the health and vibrant expression of life that continues to grow in complexity, our own heart breaks into song!

As we align our actions with the Sustainable Values Set®, the first two principles in particular: All actions create the conditions that support Life (thank you Janine Benyas), and Maintain the Integrity of the Whole, then we will see life respond and our heart rejoice as we engage in the rich relationships all around us. Just applying these two values to everyday decisions sharpens our awareness of how we impact the world, often in unanticipated ways.

Our separation from the rest of the natural world has given us power over aspects that are extraordinary. Yet it is that very separation that now threatens our species and many others with extinction. It is necessary to recognize this, but what to do about it is not an easy question to answer. Reverting to tribal life is not the answer, reducing our population would be helpful and buy us time, but is not the solution, even if it were possible. My hope is that if we can mimic the Earth from a principle/values perspective as we do in biomimicry then perhaps our actions would begin to consistently align with the Earth itself, helping the Earth to thrive as we express our curiosity and creativity.

For me sustainability is not about going back, but about going forward in a new way – a way that brings joy to our heart and health to our lifestyle. It will mean rethinking so much of what we now take for granted, so this is not a panacea nor is it simple or quick, but it would be sustainable. I feel the first principle: all actions create the conditions that support Life is incredibly profound. It speaks to how we treat each other as well as how we choose to make ourselves comfortable at the expense of other life forms. Following the Sustainable Values Set® does not prevent us from doing anything, but it does put limits on how we do what we do – and it drives creativity in the process.

My dream is that we will learn how to recreate a heaven on Earth by taking our responsibility for our actions by acting with care and respect.