Sept. 14, 2012
Seeing a gray rodent making a nosedive into a hole in the ground near my driveway was the last straw for me. After a week of encountering a few leggy centipedes in the basement and then tiny winged black insects coming from the laundry room sink (also in the basement), I reluctantly decided that I needed to take action. I don’t relish the idea of putting bugs and rodents to their death . . . nor the thought of using chemicals to do so. So I asked my eco-friendly pest control company to come to the rescue. Their website says that they are “Green Shield Certified,” which means that they use fewer and less toxic chemicals and focus on prevention (rather than correction). So they came, sprayed and did a few other things, and my house is now supposedly less hospitable to four-, six- and multi-legged unwanted critters.
Do I feel better? Well, not really. There is probably a better way to control the pest population around my home than resorting to toxins, even “green” toxins. My own spiritual journey has, in fact, included getting off of chemicals of all kinds . . . perfume, artificial foods, weed killer, insecticides, household cleaners, and so forth. One of the things that I find very appealing about Northwest is its “green sanctuary” designation and significant commitment to sustainability. Our UU seventh principle reminds us of the interdependent web of all existence . . . and how everything is in necessary balance with one another.
Albert Einstein wrote, “Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them.” As I continue my own spiritual journey, I find myself waking up to the call to live more fully into our seventh principle. I find myself ready to shift into a new level of awareness . . . a greening awareness. And, I’m aware that Northwest has something powerful to give and share with me, this faith community – and possibly the wider world – around the intersection of sustainability and spirituality.
There’s a powerful and unique ministry here that I look forward to supporting.