7-17-07 From Kevin:

We're in the final throes of acquiring building permits and closing on our construction loan...time is short and the reason we've been lax with postings!

This site has a focus on parenting of course, thus the title. But I seldom find health in any one area of permanence, without health in many areas. True success goes too deep. Unless you are talking about work and money. You can generally make money...lots more money...if you sacrifice everything for it. So it doesn't qualify for an area of 'permanence' as I mentioned above. That's reserved for relationships. faith, marriage, parenting, friendships, serving... Then physical and mental health come in too. Can't enjoy much of the former without that.

Those little guys above have absolutely no box to think outside of, why ever give them one?

These things are what occupy my mind much of the time. We are so naturally programmed to join the flow of humanity. I am as well sometimes and I surprise myself. In some ways, it even seems more comfortable. Much in the same way that folks prefer the comfort of busyness over the discomfort of downtime where you are faced with the fullness of your reality and life. "Quick...turn on the TV before any self-introspection begins!"

Sidenote: I heard a story recently of a guy who did a fast from media. He quit his TV, radio, newspaper and internet for a period of time. A few weeks I think. At first, he was pretty antsy and bored and feeling really out of sorts and disconnected. It took many days for his mind to find some equilibrium. Then...nirvana. Rediscovering himself, and in some ways, discovering himself for the first time. New understandings and revelations.

Anyway...back to the title of 'Whole Life Living.' There are big factors in our lives, as individuals and as parents. Work, Money, Education, Food, Energy, Community, Faith...

There have been times in my life where I've come to great revelations, and in retrospect...been astounded that I was so blind. I was a pro cyclist and was eating off the generic aisle (literally, all white cans) at Safeway in Ft. Collins, Colorado. I had no thought in my head that this was like pouring water in the gas tank of my car. It's a wonder I ever won a race, but I realized later it's why I would rock one day, and die the next. How was I so stupid, it should be common sense that you try to eat food as God created it?! Fruits, veggies, water, whole grains. Duh. Yet...I see immensely intelligent people suffering from sickness, disease, obesity and lack of energy, because they haven't figured out that little common sense.

That's merely the tip of the ice berg. Now before I take a step further, as a follower of Jesus Christ, I don't believe He's checking off a list to see how responsibly I live, and deciding whether I get in to heaven or not based on what I eat or how much junk I buy. He wants me to love my family, my neighbor, and above them...love Him! But I cripple my ability to serve and be of use to him if I'm living in ways that are unhealthy. And my bad choices may be crippling others as well.

I'm reading a book right now called 'Crunchy Cons.' I don't care about the political references, but the book does a great job of talking about living healthfully in your life and specifically your family, and questioning the ridiculous norms of our society.

Here in our home, we spend a lot of time talking to the kids about such things. Why we eat like we do (no meat, whole foods, home cooked), why we educate like we do (homeschooling), why we purchase like we do (or...don't, actually), etc... We're big on giving them both sides of the stories so they can understand and hopefully see the logic of our decisions. This is what will allow them to know why we live the way we do and hopefully convince them to continue making healthy, responsible and loving choices when they are out from under our wings and flying on their own. Setting a good example is not enough, our kids need to know why.

Just for perspective...I'm not a tree-hugger. Now don't get me wrong, the woods and wild and mountains and streams - - they are what stirs my soul. But a tree-hugger by definition is usually someone who puts such things, ahead of people. That's retarded. It's a friggin' tree. Next...I'm not an animal rights activist. True, I don't enjoy killing animals and feel how they are treated in the food industry is cruel. That's one of the reasons I don't eat them...though not as big of a reason as I just don't care for meat. And I love wild animals. But domestic animals I have no use for. They bark and ruin the quiet, they get everything dirty and they jump on my kids. Don't get me started, as I'll quickly ostracize anyone reading this, as I think I'm alone in this world in not being a pet lover, and not liking pets is akin to communism in our society.

Whole Earth Living is being aware of our environment, ourselves and others. We so easily plug into this world and because it's all we know, we don't question it. Ever see the movie the Matrix? It's not just a fairy tale. I'm not alluding to a government conspiracy, cause it's not. It's a conspiracy that we all proliferate. It's literally as simple as looking at our society and assuming it's all ok and we are not required to question it.

AGAIN - - that's retarded! Ever hear the story about cutting off the end of the ham? A lady is preparing a big meal. She lops off the tail end of a ham before putting it in the baking pan. Her little girls asks why she did that. The lady replied, "Because...my mom did it." To which the little girl again asked..."Why?" The lady said, "I don't know, let's ask her." Into the parlor they went and asked Granny why she cut the end off the ham. She replied, "Cause my pan was too small."

Along the same lines is why masses of men leave home every day to afford lots of crap they and their families don't need. Though of course we all know the real reason is status. Your work and your income IS...who you are. But 'cutting the end off the ham' is why men wear ties. What purpose is a tie? Ever ask yourself? We make fun of gang kids wearing their pants below their waists with their boxers showing. Well why the heck are we wearing ties? And it's summer and hot outside, why on earth are we wearing a suit jacket? Because companies require them? Why? Because the business world expects it. Why? Cause some moron with too much time on his hands and a desire to make up codes of superiority said...'Professionals dress this way.' And so they did. Remember when you did something stupid as a kid and when your folks asked why, you said, "Well, everyone else was." To which they responded, "Well, if everyone jumped off a cliff, would you?" And you sheepishly said, "No." Yet today, we are wearing ties...

Whole Earth Living. Why do we accept the rat race? Is it fun? Is it fulfilling our wildest dreams? If not...then why are we just letting our kids become another cog in it? The world has plenty of cogs, and it always will.

Let's create kids that dance to the beat of their own drum. And lets start by stepping back, viewing this life that we live...and saying...why?