[Chapter_Fourteen] finding equilibrium amidst uncertainty

[Lindsey Goldberg]

Chapter 14: February 7, 2011



Water is life.

The planet is made up of roughly 70% water; the human body has a similar
composition. Water cycles through different states of matter; from the
oceans to the clouds, and from rain to ice. Water resides in the earth and
in the roots and trunks of trees. Water as dew drops on spider webs,
illuminating the invisible silk strands. Water falls to earth as rain, and
undulates across landscapes as fog.  Water in delicate moments meets
sunshine in just the right way, and at just the right time to produce a
rainbow.

Water in it’s cyclical fluidity, supports the equilibrium and mystery of
life.



As an educator, my practice is rooted in the juicy edge between
environmental and arts education. Teaching in this context has invited me to
me learn with diverse communities, kids of all ages and in dynamic
bioregions. In my practice I get to spend a lot of time outside, with the
elements, intimately aware of the seasons and the transformational potential
that resides in time spent in wild places.

In this work, I have to be acutely aware of basic needs, basic needs of my
students, my colleagues and myself. By basic needs I mean nourishment and
comfort that promotes the opportunity for deep learning to transpire.



I conjured up a mantra one winter teaching on a little island to the west of
Seattle in the Puget Sound, “hydration equals happiness.” It was the
coldest, wettest winter I had ever known, and I had to actively remind
myself and my students to drink water; we weren’t so inclined when the
temperatures were close to freezing and we were frequently damp. It was
challenging to maintain the practice of drinking water, when the thought of
consuming something cool when we were trying so hard to stay warm was not
intuitive. Throughout that winter I experienced and observed the direct
connection between hydration and happiness, drinking an appropriate amount
of water throughout the day, made a huge difference in our mental, emotional
and physical states. I found that the dynamics of the groups I was working
with were far more compassionate, more respectful, kind, playful and fun
when we were adequately hydrated.

I imagine that the concept of hydration is probably common sense and doesn’t
really need to be flushed out much more, but it is pretty amazing how many
of us, could be better hydrated, even in the moderate micro-climates of San
Francisco…I invite you to notice throughout the next couple of days how much
water you actually consume each day; an average adult should drink at least
64 oz. of water each day.



I write about the necessity of staying hydrated and it’s connection to
happiness, harmony and balance as a way to introduce a topic of inquiry and
that is: Stewardship of the Self, the spirit, the heart, the body, the
breath or in permaculture terms: Zone Zero.



I intend to hold space for a dialogue to unfold centered on the question of
how do you steward Self? In what ways do you take care of your body? How do
you stimulate your intellect? Harmonize your emotions? Enliven your spirit?
Do you make time for play? Creativity? Imagination? Dreams? Do you have a
wild place that you go to, to let go? To feel free?



For those of us who choose to spend our time committed to the stewardship of
the natural world, supporting the reclamation of disturbed ecosystems,
increasing fertility and biodiversity, while working to build resiliency and
community, I believe it is vital and exciting to explore how the principles
of permaculture can be applied to our lives in a very intimate way; from our
daily rituals, to how much sleep we get each night, where we get our news
from, to how much television we choose to watch, what foods we eat, and how
we communicate… these choices and more inform our personal equilibrium.



I invite you to comment, express, challenge and deepen the inquiry.

I look forward to sharing with you all.

-- 
*Lindsey Goldberg, M.Ed, RYT*
Education.Environment.Art.Community.
www.livelearnengagetransform.blogspot.com
415.250.2352

Hayes Valley Farm
www.hayesvalleyfarm.com
Graze The Roof
http://grazetheroof.blogspot.com/
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