Going green is the latest buzz phrase. It is my belief that before we can become good stewards of our planet, we must first become caretakers of our inner landscape. Sustainability means being both environmentally and socially conscious. A sustainable culture begins with the individual, and then extends to the family, village, region, and the planet.
Each of us must learn to heal our self before we can heal the world. We need to be nurtured in mind, body, and spirit in order to become whole and realize our full potential. The path to becoming "a jolly green giant" is an inside job. Going green begins in our own heart, with self care and self-kindness.
Here are four important questions to ask when setting out to Green your heart:
1. Are you feeding your soul a junk food diet? Your inner spirit needs some quality time with you. Ask yourself, "What really nourishes my soul?" Is it quiet meditation, attending a religious service, reading inspirational material, or going for a solitary walk in nature? Promise yourself to do one thing this week that ignites your spirit.
2. Are you meeting your basic emotional needs through rampant consumerism? Aside from your basic physical needs, what do you really need in your life to feel at peace? What brings you joy? Is it being of service, or being heard, or being intellectually challenged, or feeling connected? Try to identify one or two of your emotional needs and ask yourself, "What am I doing in my life to get this need met?"
3. What are the major energy drains in your life? Make a list of all the things that leave you feeling worn out and depleted. Next to each one write down one of these action steps: Do it; Dump it; Delegate; Deal with it (accept, organize...); Divide it into manageable pieces; Discuss it and brainstorm for possible solutions; or Due date it. Then gradually check off each item one at a time as you resolve it. The long term plan is to reduce the energy drainers in your life and increase the energy enhancers.
4. What toxins and waste products are eating away at your heart? Are you filled with resentment, guilt, and regret? Are you blaming and complaining or constantly thinking, "I should have... If only I could have..." Just stop for a moment whenever you notice these thoughts running through your head. Observe what you are feeling. Then step in to the present moment and witness where your life really is right now. Let go of the past and live from this point forward. Focus on today and becoming the best human being you can.
The Golden Rule says, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." But sometimes, we first need to do unto ourselves what we wish to do for others. Because we can't give what we don't have! If we're run down and emotionally drained, we can't give our best to our family, our village, or our planet. Going green and having a sustainable life requires a well nourish soul and an overflowing heart.
Copyright (c) 2008 Karin Marcus
Perugia was first settled by the Umbri around 550 B.C. This pre-Etruscan people spoke Umbrian, a relative of Latin. It was later conquered by the Etruscans and became Perusia one of the 12 city states of Etruria, land of the Etruscans. Relics from this cultural period remain in the Etruscan Well and the Estruscan wall. It was conquered by Rome in 310 BC.
In the middle ages Perugians refused to pay Pope Paul III a tax on salt and to this day Perugians bake crisp saltless butterless bread.
The University of Perugia dates its history to 1276 (the date on the University banner) when the town council voted to establish a "Studium" and it was formally recognized as a University by the Pope in 1308. Boasting 31,000 students the University offers courses in Perugia and throughout the Region in Assisi, Citt? di Castello, Foligno, Orvieto, Spoleto, and Terni.
Perugia is proud to claim a second university: The University of Foreigners where students come from all over the world to study Italian and other subjects. For a very reasonable fee you can study there for a month or longer. The University has programs for even rank beginners with no knowledge of the language.
Perugia hosts the Umbrian Wine Festival each year in mid-march.
There are many beautiful and interesting places to see and things to do in the region that surrounds Perugia.
Assisi is, of course, close by, and it would be a shame to come this far without visiting the home of St. Francis. In addition to the Basilica of St. Francis you'll want to see the castle on the hill, the Church of San Rufino and the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Angels.
In the latter you will find a ?church within a church?, the Porziuncola, the tiny edifice where Christ appeared to St. Francis and promised that all sinners who crossed its threshold would be forgiven their transgressions.
For lovers of fine ceramics, Deruta, just 12 miles (20 kilometers) south, is a center for Majolica pottery and thus, a destination for pottery pilgrims from around the globe.
In Orvieto you can: visit the world-famous Gothic cathedral; pay your respects to the Etruscan dead at an ancient necropolis (graveyard)-Orvieto boasts two; and discover what ancient Etruscans looked like (thanks to a well preserved fresco). Take time to visit the Fortress of Albornoz and to see the underground city.
In Terni you can sit in a well-preserved Roman amphitheater and nearby you can gaze in awe on the majesty of Marmore Falls--Italy's answer to Niagara. Lake Trasimeno is beautiful--at least from a distance.
On its northern shores Hannibal defeated Roman legions through a clever stratagem.
Some Italians consider Umbrian cuisine to be the best Italy has to offer.
Truffles are mushrooms with a mild garlic like flavor that grow in the ground near tree roots. Umbrian truffles are famous throughout Europe.
Black and white Umbrian truffles are used to flavor local specialty cheeses made from goat's milk. Walnuts, black pepper, red pepper, and local Umbrian wine are also used to flavor the "Formaggio pecorino" (sheep's milk cheese).
The local cuisine also benefits from fresh fish from nearby Lake Trasimeno where fishermen daily land eel, perch, trout and carp.
Both Karin Marcus & Rex Bush are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.