Taking in the Grace of the World
I recently had the opportunity to spend a week at the world-renowned Rancho La Puerta Wellness Resort in Tecate, Mexico. After spending the first few days decompressing from city life and electronics, I got into a rhythm of 5am alarms for 6am hikes. I am not typically a get-up-and-get-into-nature type, yet the routine was incredibly peaceful and life-changing. Much of that experience is due to the care that Rancho La Puerta puts into the surrounding property and how they support and foster rewarding employment. Their retention rate of employees who have been with them for 10+ years is relatively high. The care and attention to detail are reflected in the beauty of their 4,000 acres but also in the joy that emanates from the employees.
Sculpture by artist Anita Groener.
As we highlight the climate crisis in this month's exhibition, my stay at Rancho La Puerta reinforced that collectively, we can make a difference. "The Ranch," as it's called by the staff and returning guests, has a motto, "Siempre Mejor" – "always better" – as the goal to continually improve and find better ways of doing things. By practicing mindfulness in their operations, the ranch has created a sustainable oasis that gives back to nature and its visitors.
Professor Edmond Szekely, who co-founded the ranch with his insightful and business-minded wife Deborah, stated in Cosmos, Man and Society (1936):
"nature, in all of the splendor and power of a luxuriant vegetation, of flowers carpeting the green grass with their many colours, of trees laden with fruits, speaks to us of life and health. The countryside is joyous with the songs of birds, joyous with the delicious breeze bringing the wanderer in the fields the sweet scent of all these manifestations of goodliness and beauty."
Imagine if the beauty were to disappear.
I am grateful to our featured artists, who highlight the intersection of creativity and climate awareness and the artists creating with a conscientious eye. Change will only occur through action. My week in nature emphasized the importance of pausing and imagining what our world might become if we ignore the frightening realities of a warming planet and the ecological disasters that continue to occur.
As I close, I challenge you to consider what actions you might take to create change. The Natural Resources Defense Fund offers some suggestions such as:
- Speak to your friends, family, and representatives about the importance of making good decisions.
- Weatherize your home
- Eat the food you buy
- Invest in LED lightbulbs
- And the tried and true, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
You can find the entire list here.
““It’s time to come together. We all have the power to change, so what are we waiting for?” ”
Little by little, collectively, each step we take can and will make a difference.
Tamara White
Founder