We are starting a new year that I feel will be full of many fascinating and diverse experiences for everyone on the planet. As the wheels of evolution and transformation speed forward, carrying us with them in all sorts of new directions, we need to be prepared for the journeys ahead. There is much work for us to do on the earth that requires us to be vigilant about our energies and our time. On the physical level our world appears to be moving into destruction mode with the talk of more war and increased violence, with the rich getting richer and more people getting poorer, and our environment being continually polluted. This is not a time to be dismayed or despondent, it is a time for the peace makers and the peace lovers of the planet to join forces and together provide our world with that necessary and important balance of compassion, forgiveness, peace, joy, love, and nonviolence. Each one of us has a choice — we can contribute to building a more peaceful, loving world or we can contribute to its destruction. Which will it be?

Last summer Robin Stamm, a university student in Saskatoon, was fortunate enough to attend an international Buddhist women's conference in Taipei, Taiwan. Reflecting upon her many enlightening experiences while there, she writes in her article, Sakyadhita - Daughters of the Buddha (p. 24), that, "Many of them [the attendees] talked of a true transformation of this world on a large scale but recognized that a change of heart in each individual is first necessary. It must begin with you and me." I am in total agreement with this declaration.

Another important issue in the news and on our minds regularly is the environment. It has been proven that our human ways of living are polluting and destroying it. Naturalist Richard Dawson, who has been living a rustic, conservation lifestyle for 30 years has developed a retreat concept in which people can experience connecting with all things and thus have a greater respect for all life. He writes about it in his article, Eco-Energy Retreats in a Yurt (p. 22). Also on the subject of ecology is Maureen Latta's Natural Reflections column, Sustaining Human-Ecological Well-Being (p. 30), in which she points out that thanks to the efforts of some high-profile Earth Literacy educators, "an alternative to the ‘subdue and dominate' model of human-earth interactions is being developed." She adds that, "as consumers we are all part of the problem, or the solution, every time we make a buying decision." So, again, it all comes down to realizing that each of us has a choice as to whether we contribute to maintaining the balance of nature and life or destroying it.

Not only do we need to maintain a balance with the earth, we also need to maintain a balance in our bodies as we live upon the earth. Two Saskatoon women, Gina Di Paolo and Jan Henrikson, discovered many years ago that one way to deepen our connection with our bodies is through dance. They have most recently teamed-up as writers to create our feature article called, Dancing the Sacred Body (p. 16). The article reads like a flowing modern dance, where you are asked to breath in between the words you are reading, which creates the feeling of movement even though you are sitting still. Reading it, for me, felt quite magical, freeing, and healing.

In this issue we have A Personal Viewpoint (p. 21) written by Elmer Laird, an organic farmer from Davidson, SK, who is expressing his support for a fellow organic farmer, David Orchard, who is launching into his second attempt at running for leadership of the PC Party of Canada. The event takes place early this year.

Paulette Millis has blessed us once again with another excellent food column. This time it is The Luscious and Succulent Avocado (p. 8). She says that the avocado's reputation for being "fattening" is unfounded, so do not deprive yourself of this gem as it contains natural fat and is a storehouse of nutrition.

As we start a new year I would like to thank everyone who supports WHOLifE Journal through advertising, articles, subscriptions, deliveries, word-of-mouth, prayers, and so much more! It is all of you who make it happen — every part is essential to the whole. Bless you all and may your new year be filled with peace, joy, harmony, love, abundance, and good health.

In light and love,

Namaste!
(I honour the Divine in you!)