“Bird by bird,” said author and political activist Anne Lamott at a Clean Energy event Monday night, recalling childhood lessons and reading from an as yet unpublished manuscript. It is how one gets things done. Like the twelve step programs guiding every self help program, learning a new dance, getting to know a new friend or falling in love. It is all still step by step. Though at times the steps may feel harder, bigger, scarier, more awkward, or on occasion oh-so-smooth-and-graceful, the bottom line is you either step or you don’t. Much is the same in the sustainability movement and such is my response when asked (again and again) what I think about all the eco-angst out there. “You either take action or you don’t,” is my answer. Though it may sound disregarding of the emotions likely attached to said angst, the bottom line is that there is no other choice. And I choose to step.

I’ve been accused of being too open. Too bold. Too forward. Foolish. Pollyannaish. But when I overheard my son this afternoon, talking to one of his friends about how he was going to build a composting toilet and put it in his loft so he wouldn’t have to come out and use my bathroom, I saw in him the power to believe in dreams, which on some days, is all one really has after all. Now mind you, his loft is quite small, indeed our whole house is, and there is no need - or space - for a composting toilet but I was so proud that 1) he knows what that is! and 2) he doesn’t hesitate to dream big and share his dreams with his friends. I thought again of Anne’s words about parenting. We’re raising a new generation here and in light of the fear mongering and financial devastation moving across our country of late, I feel hope and faith . . . when I look at his sleeping face. Tonight.