Category: nature

environment, learning, nature, science, transportation

Beginning: We Could Learn A Lot From Slime Mold

Christa Avampato

Physarum polycephalum variety of Slime Mold. Taken by Dr. Jonatha Gott and the Center for RNA Molecular Biology, Case Western Reserve University.
While at SXSW I attended a Biomimicry panel. This was one of the panels I was most excited for. Ever since viewing Janine Benyus TED Talk a few years ago, biomimicry is one of those subjects that I could spend hours researching. Its applications to design are truly endless.

The panel at SXSW praised the brilliance of Slime mold. Yep, slim mold, that seemingly lowly organism that has been around far longer than we have has quite a bit to teach us about transportation. With maximum efficiency, slime mold grows and spreads itself out to acquire its food. The city of Tokyo used the growth and reach of slime mold as its model to design its transportation system with maximum efficiency. In the words of the great Paul Reubens, “I love that story.”

The Slime mold example again reminded me of the brilliance of our natural world. Too often, we see our environment as something to control and guide. I wonder how our society would change if we developed a much strong respect for the wisdom of the natural world that has had so many millenniums to adapt and change. It replenishes and nurtures itself. It is an adamant fan of cycles and self-care. The next time that we’re looking for guidance in our own lives or wrestling with a creative challenge, we would do we to take glance out the window or take ourselves for a walk with our eyes and ears wide open. All the answers are there, many under the care of an unlikely natural guardian like Slime mold.

communication, design, learning, nature, science, society, technology

Beginning: A Lesson from Biomimicry – Looking Around and Get Your Knees Dirty

Christa Avampato

From Treehugger.com
I went to an incredible panel yesterday about biomimicry and its implications for the design of technology projects. The talk was put together by several key personalities in this space. If you are curious about bioIogy or design or both, I highly recommend taking a look at Biomimicry.net and Beedance.com. Representatives of both organizations were represented on the panel.

At the end of the panel Holly Harlan of E4S and Michael Dungan of Beedance said two very profound points that have stuck with me since the panel and I think they hold very important pieces of advice for living, particularly for people passionate about technology. Holly said that if we’re really curious about design, really interested in learning from nature then we need to dig around in the dirt. It’s all well and good to read and research and ask questions of others. It’s necessary, though the greatest learning is found through our own personal exploration of the physical world. Michael encouraged us to put down our devices, unplug, and look around. Really see what’s happening in our natural environment. It sounds so simple and yet the world is whizzing by us at a dizzying pace while we remain glued to our glowing screens.

I found these two pieces of info particularly poignant last night at the Foursquare party. I was with some friends from work and we were having a great time dancing and enjoying a really beautiful and balmy Texas evening. As I took a look around, I was blown over by the number of people who were with other people but not present. Every 30 seconds they were on their mobiles, half listening to the people talking to them, lost in some digital experience of some kind. It made me wonder and start to worry about what all of these devices are really doing to our personal awareness. Despite constantly being in the know, constantly being “connected”, flooded with information on every conceivable subject, we seem to be in a fog of our own design. Existing, though not living. We really may be entirely disconnected from our own intuition and from others.

I’ll be the first to say I love technology and its potential for good. I love piles of information. I love design. I also love, in equal if not greater proportion, the trees, the grass, and the sky. I have yet to come across any piece of technology that wows me more than something that the natural world has created from its own immense intelligence and experience. To design as nature designs is the ideal, is the genius we’re all so desperately looking for. To take in its teachings requires dirty knees and a clear mind. I’m making a vow to unplug more often, get out into the world with more compassion than ever before, and live. I hope you’ll join me.

change, dogs, nature, Spring

Beginning: Take Spring Where You Can Get It

Christa Avampato

This post is available as a podcast on Cinch.

My pup, Phineas, is finally back to his usual energetic, curious self. He has an allergy to the salt that’s heavily used on the pavements in New York City. The salt, or some chemical in it, gave him sores on his little legs, cut up the pads on his feet, and made him sick after he licked some of it from his paws. He was sluggish and didn’t eat much, all of the same signs Sebastian (the pup my sister owned) showed shortly before his passing. I rushed Phin to the ER on the morning on New Year’s Eve. As I was taking him downtown to the hospital, I sat on the subway train, head down on his carrier, tearing up. I knew I loved him, but I didn’t realize how much He’s come to mean to me in 4 short months until I started to worry that I might lose him.

After allowing the salt to pass through his system, learning how to carefully clean his paws, getting him a warm wool sweater, and discovering the miracle balm Musher’s Secret (great protection for dogs who won’t wear booties), Phineas is out in the world frolicking with the best of them. [I must insert an endorsement here for the PetHealthStore, a local shop in my neighborhood where I got the sweater and learned about Musher’s.] He likes the snow well enough, though I can tell that the novelty of it has worn off. He wants the spring – the grass, the leaves, and the warmth. Last weekend we hopped around Central Park, clamoring over snow banks many times taller than Phin, to get to the few grassy areas that the melted snow had exposed. Phin rolled around in them, thinking warm Spring thoughts. He saw some fall leaves around a tree trunk and he got so excited to run through them that you’d thought he’d just seen a long lost friend.

We sat on a rock for a few minutes and basked in the warmth of the afternoon winter sun on our faces. Spring is a long way off, but Phin and I are already dreaming of daffodils and butterflies and the re-birth of a bright, green world. For now, we’ll take whatever bit of grass and dried leaves we can get. Spring is where you find it.

The image above reminds me that resilience can be attained in any environment. The image can be found here.

This blog is part of the 2011 WordPress Post Every Day Challenge.

faith, nature, religion, science, season

Step 355: Faith and the Total Lunar Eclipse

Christa Avampato

This morning there was a total lunar eclipse coinciding with the Winter Solstice – it ended about an hour ago. The next time that will happen will be in 2096. My brother-in-law, Phineas, and I went out to see the beginning of it. I won’t be around to see the next one. My brother-in-law has a shot at the next viewing. We both figured it was worth the sacrifice of sleep to bear witness.

Astronomers must be the happiest people on Earth, the ones most at peace because any everyday annoyance actually doesn’t matter. 100 years in the life of the universe isn’t even equivalent to the blink of an eye. It’s practically insignificant. Every disappointment, sadness, loss, betrayal. None of it is really worth being that upset over when we consider that the night sky that we’re looking at actually happened a minimum of 100 years ago – the stars are that far away from us. It’s mind-blowing. What we were looking at last night, for the most part, doesn’t even exist anymore. When we gaze up at the starts we are staring centuries back into the past. It’s mind-blowing.

And it makes me think that to be in the presence of something so awesome there must be more out there. It just couldn’t all be placed this way by luck. Beauty of that magnitude, concepts that stretch out minds and move our hearts so much, can’t be generated solely by chance. I looked up at the Earth’s shadow crossing the moon so perfectly, feeling our insignificance and greatness all at once. And all I could think was that there must be some reason, and that we must have faith.

The image above depicts the beginning of a total lunar eclipse and can be found here.

frustration, nature, strengths, stress

Step 328: Make Like a Grapevine and Focus

Christa Avampato

“A vine, well-exercised, produces an intense wine.” ~ Anthony Bourdain

Yesterday I was at my mom’s house watching an episode of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. I recently finished his book, Kitchen Confidential, and love his bits of life wisdom garnered through his life in food. On yesterday’s episode he was meandering through Provence and all of the incredible cuisine that area of the world has to offer. He went to visit a restored winery and met with the owner to learn about the gifts of strong heat and rocky soil that make for incredible, intense wine. Because the vines struggle a bit through the rocky soil (and it is a delicate balance asking them to struggle enough to become strong, but not so much that it ruins the vines entirely), the flavor in the grapes is pungent and focused.

Yesterday morning I was struggling with a bit of a problem. I have been doing a lot of pitching for my out-of-school education program, Innovation Station. I’ve gotten many positive reactions to it, and people who are interested in producing it once a pilot is complete and the results are in. Trouble is that I’m not having much luck reeling in a school willing to let me run a small pilot. I have known from the beginning that a pilot it crucial as part of a larger sell-in and that a pilot created and run by someone outside of education would be a tough sell. As much talk as there is about public education wanting more innovative ideas, it is an incredibly insular world. (Consider the criticism of Cathie Black, a seasoned, respected, accomplished professional as the new chancellor of NYC public schools.) Risk is not something that public education is accustomed to.

Like good wine making, a sprinkle of struggle in a project’s life cycle can create a better product. It could be that now is just not the right time for this program. Maybe I need to focus my energy in other areas at the moment like my yoga and my writing. It could be that the schools I’ve been speaking to are not the right ones for this program and I need to keep looking for a better match. Whatever the reason, Anthony Bourdain’s analogy of a grapevine helped me feel more comfortable with a bit of struggle and frustration in my own life today. I could use a healthy dose of focus in 2011, and the order that comes with it.

The image above can be found at nyhabitat.com

creativity, garden, nature

Step 288: Be a Greenhouse for New Ideas

Christa Avampato

There is a strong parallel between gardening and creativity. Gardening has elements of design – color, placement, texture, size. There’s also a common element of surprise in gardening and creativity. We may plant the seeds of a specific plant, but we aren’t sure exactly how it will look until it blooms. The same goes for creativity – the solution or product or service we ultimately create may be very different from our first idea. There’s an even deeper parallel between gardening and creativity, one that we can and should intentionally, powerfully pursue.

A few months ago, I wrote a post about new ideas needing friends. Part of being a friend to new ideas is providing a safe place for them to be in their infancy, providing nourishment and space to grow. To be a friend to new ideas, we must act as greenhouses for them.

New ideas can cause disruption and inconvenience. They ask us to change and grow and alter our existing perceptions of ourselves, of others, and of the world around us. They can make us uncomfortable. They can scare us. Rather than shying away, we should pursue the ones that scare us the most. Ask why they stir our emotions in a specific way. That’s where the learning is. Ultimately, we may decide to put those ideas aside, and even if we do, they will have been great teachers for us by strengthening our convictions provided we give them a chance to show us what they’ve got.

animals, dogs, nature

Step 285: Talk to the Animals with Trish Scott’s Help

Christa Avampato

When I first adopted Phineas, he had some separation anxiety. He cried when I left for work, and those little cries broke my heart. One of the first calls I made was to Trish Scott, a brilliant animal behaviorist, loyal reader of this blog, and talented writer. Trish responded immediately with top-notch advice. I also read a copy of her e-book, An Introduction to Animal & Nature Communication. Phineas is now well-adjusted to his new surroundings and barely blinks when I leave for work in the morning.

One of Trish’s key pieces of advice that really helped me and Phin, and appealed to my yoga philosophies, is that dogs can feel our energy whether we’re in the same room or many miles apart. When I’m at work and Phinny is home, we’re still linked. Intuitively I have known about this link between animals and humans for many years. When I was in college, I had several dreams about saying good-bye to my black lab, Cosby. Sure enough, my mom called a few days later to say that he had passed. He and I said good-bye in our own way, separated by hundreds of miles. Cosby’s spirit found his way to me to let me know it was time for him to go. I had a chance to hug him one more time and thank him for being so faithful for so many years.

Trish suggested that while I’m at work I imagine giving Phin a hug, patting him on the head, and telling him I’ll be home soon. I do this several times a day, and remarkably I can feel that it helps Phineas. Trish also gave me a few other tips like getting a kong toy for him and carving out a little space in my apartment for him to have as his own. Combined, all of these tips made a huge difference, though I truly believe recognizing and honoring our energy connection helped the most. As soon as I started practicing our long distance communication, I noticed a difference in his demeanor. He calmed down, relaxed, and trusted me more. Trish gave me such a precious gift – she gave me my pup in his very best form.

If you’ve ever wanted to have a closer relationship with animals, or you’re curious about the lessons they have to teach us (and yes, animals are some of our very best teachers!), I highly recommend Trish’s book. The happiness and peace you’ll find by taking her advice to heart will richly improve your life. It’s certainly improved mine by leaps and bounds.

animals, dogs, health, nature, teaching

Step 281: The World is Awake at 6:00am

Christa Avampato

I woke up early this morning to walk Phineas. We strolled along the river inside Riverside Park, smelling the Fall flower arrangements, admiring the sailboats, and listening for the acorns falling from the great oak trees scattered all over the park. It was warm with a little breeze, and around 6:00am the sun was just stretching up over the horizon. A perfect morning, albeit a little early.

I’ve always loved the morning, though liked to view it from the comfort and warmth of my own bed with a delicious cup of coffee. I try to walk Phin for an hour every morning so I’m waking up earlier these days. At first I thought it would be such a chore and now almost 3 weeks in to owning a pup, I see our early morning walks as a real gift. I have time to think, and be, and just relax. There are a lot of people awake at 6:00am walking around New York City; I’m a little late to the party.

I was yawning wide this morning when up over a small hill I saw an older man slowly coming toward me via a walker, oxygen tank in tow. He was up at 6:00am, getting his exercise despite the extraordinary effort it obviously took him, and here I am thinking about my bed. I know I’m not a lazy person (my greatest fear in the world is to wake up one day and realize I’ve become lazy), but in that moment I felt a little embarrassed. At 34 and in perfect health, I’m thinking about sleep and this older man was content, probably even very happy, to be making progress one short step at a time.

I get why we walk into Borders or Barnes & Noble to find countless books filled with the lessons that animals teach us. I know Phinny arrived in my life as a teacher because in this moment, there is a lesson I need that he can provide. To date, the greatest lesson he’s given me is getting me up out of bed early to exercise, enjoy the morning sun, and continuously be reminded that I am one lucky lady to be blessed with this life.

environment, nature

Step 162: How to Help in the Gulf Coast

Christa Avampato

“I suppose if you had to choose just one quality to have that would be it: vitality.” ~ John F. Kennedy, as quoted in One Thousand Days: John F. Kennedy in the White House by Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.

Today Manhattan Users Guide ran their daily MUG to list ways that we can all help with the efforts to clean up the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf Coast. Everyone can contribute with funds or time of every capacity, large and small, short-term and long-term. The spill destroys more life everyday – our collective efforts can help turn the tide.

From MUG:
Volunteer to the LA Gulf Coast Response, a coordinated effort among several organizations.

Seed grant money to the Gulf Coast Fund, which is distributing emergency grants.

Supply life vests needed by the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Volunteer Program.

Go to the beach on June 26th and participate in Hands Across the Sand.

Eat out as part of the Dineout for the Gulf Coast, today and tomorrow.

Fill in for Sarasota-based Save our Seabirds staff members who have been reassigned into the field during the crisis.

Give heating pads to Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida (birds covered in oil often suffer from hypothermia). Click on Volunteer Document [PDF]

Wash your dishes with Special Edition Dawn, which will donate $1 per bottle to help save wildlife. You need to activate the donation here.

Text WILDLIFE to 20222, a $10 donation to the National Wildlife Federation. NWF says 97% of the donation will go to Gulf region recovery efforts.

Follow 1,000,000 Strong Against Offshore Drilling on Facebook.

Download Not One Drop: Betrayal and Courage in the Wake of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill by Riki Ott (free) and donate to Global Green.

Volunteer for Audubon’s response efforts.

Urge Senators to pass a comprehensive climate and energy bill.

Buy a book today through Monday at Borders with this coupon and the company will donate 10% of sales to the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.

Travel to New Orleans and spread those tourist dollars around generously.

Donate to the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

Get a haircut or get your dog, sheep, or llama groomed and save the hair (or fur or fleece); then send it to Matter of Trust which will stuff booms it.

Use less plastic and take the pledge at Save My Oceans.

Support the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in Florida, the largest wild bird hospital in the country.

Host a Clean It Up event under the Sierra Club umbrella.

Form a branch of the Krewe of Dead Pelicans.

Rely on science over big business when it comes to the planet by supporting Manomet, the Center for Conservation Sciences.

Let the President know that we shouldn’t be doing more offshore drilling until and unless we have remediation technology commensurate with drilling technology and—better yet—we should fully commit to clean technologies. Petitions here, here, and here.

The image above appeared on the EPA website and depicts a pelican overlooking the tragedy in the Gulf. Gulf Coast wildlife has been a silent victim in the disaster.

care, growth, nature

Step 132: Ditch What’s Dead

Christa Avampato

Plants left in my care meet a premature end. I sing to them, water them, give them plenty of light and love, and they never stick around for very long. My mother has the greenest thumb on the planet. She sticks a dead twig in the ground and the Garden of Eden emerges overnight. I didn’t get that gene.

But I love plants, and so I keep trying. I took myself over to the Plant Shed last weekend and picked up a few Impatiens. I came home tonight and found one of them limp and wilted. I just watered it yesterday! How could this be? I filled her up with water and pruned away the dead leaves in despair. And then something amazing happened. Within an hour, the plant perked right back up. The limp leaves suddenly found their life again. Maybe I’m not a bad gardener, just a bad pruner. Maybe I let the dead leaves stick around for too long, dragging the rest of the plant down with it.

I think this may be true in life, too. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve let dead-end everything hang around my door. Brian and I have been working on clearing it all out. My yoga teacher, Johanna, talks about this act as “letting go of what doesn’t serve.” Intellectually this makes sense. It takes times and guts to put into practice. It wasn’t until I saw this wilted little plant, flopped over like Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree, that I finally understood this idea in my heart.

If we let the dead leaves hang on, they will suck the life out of the rest of the plant. When we prune away the dead leaves, the plant’s going to look a little odd, a little lopsided. But in time, it’s going to come around again, with a little water and sunshine and room to breathe. If you’ve found this to be true in your life, or your garden, I’d love to hear how it worked for you.