The Story of Stuff

Warmest Greetings

On March 22nd I had the privilege of seeing Annie Leonard speak at Powell's here in Portland. I am deeply drawn to those individuals who are making such a huge impact by inspiring more and more of us to become increasingly informed and then to act. Annie Leonard is one such courageous and passionate person who is making a big difference in the world! Her Internet film "The Story of Stuff" has been seen by over 8 million people worldwide and is now available in over 12 languages. Annie Leonard's book The Story of Stuff is also now available. I was definitely moved to purchase this important new book.

I was amazed by Annie Leonard's story and the research she has done over the past 20+ years and all over the world that enables her to look at clothing, cell phones, bottled water, and just about anything and have an idea of what it is made of and where it came from. I had no idea, for instance, the toxic mix that goes into making cell phones.

I did know that the United States comprises 5% of the global population and yet consumes approximately 30% of the world's resources. I hadn't thought of how we also create 30% of the world's waste.

Annie is but one more passionate voice encouraging us to look at the cost of our unsustainable lifestyle, the cost to ourselves and the planet of consumerism run wild. Annie points out that studies of Americans points to parallels of how our happiness has gone down as our addiction to things has gone up. She goes on to define studies which have revealed what actually brings happiness to us as human beings: meaningful relationships, a sense of purpose, coming together with shared goals. Amen.

Annie Leonard contrasted the consumer parts of ourselves with the citizen parts of ourselves. She spoke of how American culture reflects the cost of the corporate driven media which have seized the American Dream and made it into something profoundly distorted and toxic. Annie points to the relentless drive in American culture to feed the consumer part of ourselves communicating that we need this new product to be happy, beautiful, sexy, young, loved, etc. Meanwhile, the citizen part of ourselves has atrophied. Annie emphasizes how we need to be inspired to re-engage and nourish our citizen selves.

Please go here for more information: http://www.storyofstuff.com/.

I am deeply grateful to Annie Leonard and the information, challenge, and invitation that she offers to each of us to join her in creating a world that will benefit all of us now and generations to come. And as Thom Hartmann would say - Tag, we are all it!

Peace & blessings ~ Molly

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Hear me, four quarters of the world - a relative I am! Give me the strength to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that is! Give me the eyes to see and the strength to understand, that I may be like you. With your power only can I face the winds.

~ Black Elk, (1863-1950) Oglala Sioux holy man

If the earth does grow inhospitable toward human presence, it is primarily because we have lost our sense of courtesy toward the earth and its inhabitants.

~ Thomas Berry