Making a difference
09.07.06 (11:39 am) [edit]After over 20 years in social services, plodding along, playing by the rules, while watching the world seem to work its way to a "crash and burn", it was time to put up or shut up. So, now I am venturing on my own in two ways that express my passion, my life, and my commitment to make a difference. The first is a non-profit committed to ending the spread of HIV/AIDS (a condition that I have had for 20 years). www.mosaicinitiative.org is the place to find out more. My work in this capacity is actually quite fascinating. As a gay man living in "conservative" Wheaton IL, I am increasingly finding myself working on a regular basis with people who I never thought would be such a part of my life. Namely, my work is taking me to rub elbows with people from churches and traditions that do not condone homosexuality. While I can make no claims that my work is advancing a "gay agenda", what is happening is a deepening of relationships, understanding, and compassion. Through this process, we are all overcoming some fears and stigmas we may hold as we find common ground in working to end HIV/AIDS. The other is an internet business called Conscious Balance (www.conscious-balance.com). For years, I have been passionate about environmental causes, and been abhorred at the conspicuous consumption of our culture. Now, rather than just whine about it, I am doing something about it. Increasingly, every day, I am learning to live a more sustainable life. I've got a long way to go - and will need to de-construct some parts of my lifestyle to effectively accomplish my goals. But, starting with walking and bike-riding more places, and then moving to incorporate using solar technology in my daily life (solar oven for cooking, solar chargers to keep phones and laptops charged). Eventually, as we look to make changes to our house, we will be moving away from the "grid" to self-sustainability. Think about it: On a hot day, you turn the oven on, and then pay the utility companies to heat the oven and cool the house. One simple change can kill both those birds. It may actually be the culmination of the little things that we do that can make a difference.