Dawn is just top of the ridge of the mountain as you walk in silence until his favorite place, a perch where you can see – is not seen by other hikers. Here, the position of himself to meditate. The painting of the golden rays of the rocks and trees with the brilliance of its own energy. You get to cover in sight. Suddenly, you feel as if his spirit leaves the body and becomes part of the world around you. Then, as suddenly, we are back into your skin, wondering what happened. You had a transcendental experience, leaving this coil "mortal" to join with all that is the universe, to become one with creation. Fear is an inspirational experience that can last only a moment, but leaves its impact on life. If you are lucky to have had an experience similar to this, she had a vision of the world as it really is … where everything is connected to everything else. As Martin Luther King said, "we are all involved in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny …" This is the basic principle of sustainability, understanding that humans are not masters of land. We are part and connected to everything that exists. When we understand this basic concept, everything we do in the pursuit of sustainability becomes almost obvious. The SustainablyWhy think we need at this moment in history to worry about sustainability? For many scientists, economists and sociologists, is increasingly evident that human beings have been sowing the seeds of its own extinction. Many believe that unless immediate remedial action, civilization and humanity headed for a global catastrophe. According to the World Resources Institute, at least 3. 5 billion people, the current population of over half the world is expected to experience water scarcity by 2025. As the population continues to grow, the world's fisheries and agricultural productivity is declining. Global warming threatens to raise sea levels and drying of water resources worldwide. Meanwhile, the atmosphere of the heating generates highly variable climate, with devastating storms, snowstorms in the south, heat waves in the North and the paradoxical possibility of a new ice age. Economic disparity is growing worldwide. Today, a few hundred billionaires control more wealth than all the people in the 45 poorest countries. Political unrest, religious fanaticism and ongoing conflicts destroy the environment, the lives and communities. While these are not new phenomena, the technology has become global in its effects. As indicated in the Chinese curse, we live in interesting times. And that is why there is renewed interest in the sustainability of worldwide distribution. To Be or Not To Be … SustainableApparently, it seems that there is some controversy and misunderstanding about the long-term sustainability. It is always politicized, first by those who either do not understand what it means or who feel threatened by their ideas. Simply put, sustainability means the capacity to endure, to continue to exist in his chosen state. To be sustainable, it is necessary to evaluate the conditions under which one lives and limiting the choice makes your life needs these conditions. To be sustainable, we must take only what they need and preserve the resources and capabilities necessary to ensure that future generations can thrive. We must work together to create economies of strong, healthy communities and a protected natural environment. We are living within the carrying capacity of Earth? We are taking only what the earth can offer the time? We who contribute positively to our communities and the natural environment? The answer to these questions will determine what kind of future we leave to those who follow us. There are lessons to be learned from sustainability every day … if you pay attention to the natural world around us. NatureAll learn about life as we know it on Earth live within a "closed system. "Nothing enters the Earth system in measurable quantities, except sunlight. The seeds for new life comes from existing life. All plants, animals, insects and humans obtain their food and water on Earth. After each life cycle owes everything to the ground to support the future. This is the life cycle, and is bound by physical laws can not be broken. The life cycle of all living things link together. We depend on each other, all living and our survival. However, knowing that we need a healthy natural environment and a continuous cycle of life, human beings are the only species that actively works to break the cycle of life. To build our modern societies, we have natural resources, use and then dispose of as waste. During this linear process generated all kinds of pollution. The result is that, unlike other species in nature, reduced natural resources, destroy natural habitats and, consequently, threaten our very existence. Finding the balance: the economic, community, EnvironmentIn nature, strive for balance or homeostasis within their ecosystems. Take time to sit and watch a tree, a creek or in any natural area. You'll find it full of life, even in desert areas. Within an ecosystem of small size, you can see the interdependence of life in action. The plants grow together to help all the waters of the gain and soil minerals. Insects, birds and animals find food and shelter among the plants. You will notice that there is no waste. Anything that serves as food for the rest. Everywhere you look there is a natural balance that continues to be surprised by some external force. Then, each system, together with its components of the life, works to restore balance. To be sustainable, we must think holistically and work together to find a balance within ourselves, our families, our economy, our communities and the natural environment. Let's start with the economy. Note that is the same root, ECO, the Greek for the home or in which we live. Means managing the economy in which we live. This means that the judicious use of resources to sustain life. In today's society, we believe the economy in terms of dollar inflows. That is not our economy. It only vaguely to measure our economy. Genuine Progress Indicators measure how well we're doing. For more information, visit www Redefining Progress. rprogress. org. So, to start making money balance with our economy, we must think differently and to measure progress differently. How do we know when our economy is improving? Certainly not for the gross domestic product (GDP), which records only the flow of dollars. We know that measurable improvements in our quality of life. The children are healthy and doing well in school? Not all children have access to quality education? People who work earn decent wages? Affordable housing is good for everyone? It is clean and healthy air to breathe? They are the elderly and the sick? Water is abundant and safe to drink? The communities are healthy and safe from crime and war? More people working, using less energy and materials to create more value for society? In each of these questions are fabulous opportunities. When answering these questions is yes, then we are beginning to produce a healthy and balanced economy. Connecting with the participation, SupportingStrengthening communities begins with understanding our connections with each other. We are all more alike than we are different. Knowing this allows us to celebrate our differences so that they enrich our lives. Knowing that we all share a dress "one destination" can take us to overcome old antagonisms and to work for the common good. Together as good neighbors, we are able to devise a collective vision and develop the will to achieve it. Healthy and balanced communities requires a commitment. We have to be involved with others at different levels of our society, according to our interests and our talents. Some of us can be great for organizing meetings for the neighborhood. Others may feel the need for volunteers at the local school or a civic group. There are the natural political among us, who represent us in the Council. Each of us can become informed and vote. Restore and preserve our natural environment is fundamental to sustainability. Learning the lessons of nature, we are able to integrate more closely into the cycle of life in which everything that contributes to the whole and nothing is wasted. We can all do simple things. Eat lower on the food chain. Local production of fruit, vegetables and grains of the earth take less processed foods. Make shorter showers. Get out your car and walk or bike. Form a carpool and use public transport when you can. Learn about conservation and living a simple life more rewarding. Stay ContactOur modern life have evolved in our communities and the natural world. We have the ability and the need to re-engage for our welfare and that of everyone on the planet. Connected, each can do our part, and as we all become stronger and more vibrant. So the time. Make significant contact with those around you. Supporting those in need. Share your feelings about today's problems and their dreams for tomorrow. Contribute their talents and good deeds for the real economy that benefits everyone. Back to Nature. Learn from it. Find that special place for you, where you can become one with everything around. We can awaken within himself the power of sustainable spirit.