Letter from the editor.

When I moved to San Francisco, I had dreams of finding a 'chosen family', one that I felt aligned with in interests and life vision. Not too long after being there, I found myself participating in a very close-knit, music and consciousness-based community. It was an amazing experience and as my individual relationships blossomed, I felt myself becoming more open-minded, accepting, nonjudgmental and tolerant. I accepted a wide varlet), of new folks and felt myself expanding and growing. Yet, once on a solo journey in Florida. away from my community, I had a deep realization that unfolded over a period of months: I was more close minded, judgmental and segregation-oriented than I'd ever been.

I had accepted my small community of choice, but I had become very intolerant of those outside of my limited boundaries. I found myself judging others based upon their appearance, food choices, music choices, clothing choices and just about everything else you can imagine. It was then that I realized that community isn't about agreeing: it's about recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of ourselves and others.

We belong not only to our communities of agreement and choice, but also to the community of family, friends, neighbors, our town/city, our count)', our state, our country and planet Earth, including the plants, animals and elements that we share space with. We can't escape our common unity with ever)one and everything around us.

In my journey of growth, I realized that community requires the willingness to allow others their unique perceptions, choices and ideas, without the delusion of superiority or the need to change them. It requires patience and loving kindness in the face of adversity and diversity, while extending beyond our current boundaries to embrace things that might challenge previously held ideas. It requires honor and respect for every-living being, regardless of similarity or agreement. It requires gratitude, beyond the need to be right.

Being a part of a healthy, sustainable community forces us to look at our 'stuff, our issues and hidden blind spots. This is necessary: healing work that allows us to grow, change and shift beyond our current limitations. If we are only surrounding ourselves in like minds of comfort that do not challenge us with new ideas, we can easily find ourselves resistant to our own natural changes and growth, for fear of being rejected as we are rejecting others.

This issue--Sustainable Community--offers practical education on solar power, biodiesel, hybrid cars, clean industry and other topics we feel are a step in the right direction toward environmental respect and sustainable community, but remember that the true spirit of community lies within the heart. Be open to what is true to you in every new moment!

Thanks for welcoming me to your community!

Tena Moore

Your new New Life Journal editorial manager