Sustainability: Creative Tension on the Edge

“AT SOME POINT IN LIFE the world’s beauty becomes enough. You don’t need to photograph, paint or even remember it. It is enough. No record of it needs to be kept and you don’t need someone to share it with or tell it to. When that happens—that letting go—you let go because you can.”
—Toni Morrison, novelist, Tar Baby

"HOPE HAS TWO BEAUTIFUL daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are." St Augustine

Looks like Tony and St. A have something to talk about. Ms M speaks of a reverie of peace and beautiful contentment, letting go and just being with what is. Whereas, Augustine seems to imply that with hope there is no sitting still and resting on what is, that anger and courage drive him ever onward, hope as the beacon for improvement and change.

That creative tension - is this another form of conflict? I do seem to find it under rugs and in dark corners everywhere I turn. Capturing the moment and loving what is, breathing it in; and yet... wanting more. Is it the human condition to desire better, more, ever upwards, evolving our self, improving our situation, seeking? Are we ever really content?

And does this then beg the question - is sustainable possible? or are humans in every way an unquenchable thirst? an unsatiable hunger? will we ever more want just that little bit more, little bit better, if not for "me" then for our children?

How can the earth and our cultures, our cities, our economies sustain this continuing growth? Evolution does not favour such a process - it would seem to favour chaos where there are irregular "patterns" of change in rates and types of growth or die-off, mutation, and evolutionary development. Some cultures may survive with languages and traditions, or they may not! Or they may evolve to suit the conditions that surround them.

Sustainability - what does it really mean on this planet? To each one of us? What, if anything, can we do to change the course of our history to affect the course of earth's history?

This is not an US - THEM story. This is a WE ARE ALL IN IT together event.

Good luck.