An excerpt from the article describing this latest breakthrough states: When trash is dropped into a chamber and heated to 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, its organic components—food, fluids, paper—vaporize into a hot, pressurized gas, which turns a turbine to generate electricity.

Isn’t that just amazing? This is exactly what this planet and our society needs! Imagine how many thousands of tons of trash just get dumped back into the earth. What do you suppose happens to this trash? Well, not much for a long time. Worst than that, this garbage often contains toxic substances that make their way into the surrounding environment and potentially create an environmental nightmare for years to come.

There is a concept in science that all matter is energy, and a similar concept in Eastern thought. There is energy all around us. It is time we stopped burying this potential energy and started harnessing the power it instead.

It simply does not make sense to take a resource from the earth, use it once, then throw it away. These resources can be converted back into energy and reused! I salute forward-thinking companies like Geoplasma that are bringing about a revolution in the Renewable Energy Industry and providing something essential for our planet.

Soon, all of our trash will become our collective treasure, thanks to companies like Geoplasma!

So, then it would appear money equates to freedom and working at a 9 to 5 job, 40 hours a week, is required to purchase a slice of that freedom. So, let me get this straight; I subject myself to a 40 hour a week work week to serve a company, just so I can earn the freedom of being able to buy the latest, greatest new high tech gadget?

Now I know it isn’t as simple as that; We have families to support, etc. But the point I am trying to make is - Just how much of what we work for is frivolous expenditure rather than real necessity? Just how much of the time we waste at a company sacrificed just so we can have the latest, coolest new “in” thing?

Imagine, for a moment, if we could be content with getting by with what we have - Happy to appreciate that which we already own? Perhaps there would no longer be the need to work 12 hour days, climbing the corporate ladder, striving for that six figure income?

I recently observed some animals in nature. Do they seem stressed out to you? Well, yes, probably when they are being chased by a predator, they might be very stressed. But aside from that, do you see them stressed about achieving some make-believe title in the pursuit of some higher pay or recognition? They are content to simply live. They appear to take pleasure in the simple things in life that has already been provided to them by Nature.

So then why must we be any different?

Now let me clarify. I am not suggesting we should sell all our material possessions and go live in a treehouse, although that wouldn’t be a bad idea. But, is there really a need to operate at a high stress, breakneck pace just to earn a few bucks? In the end, does it really matter? Are you going to remember that extra dollar you made, or how much happiness.. or lack thereof.. was in your life?

There is a better alternative. Ever heard of Ubuntu? It’s a version of Linux that you can use to pretty much do anything you can on Windows. And best of all, it is free.

Local charities and those who cannot afford a computer would benefit greatly from an older PC coupled with Ubuntu. So, go ahead and download a copy of Ubuntu, install it on your old PC, then give it to someone who could use it. What better way to simplify life than to get more use out of something?

To learn more about Ubuntu, take a look at this page.

Now more than ever, the need to just simplify and go with the flow is greater than ever. In light of recent events regarding the economy, the concept that simplifying one’s life will bring a greater peace becomes all the more important.

What is most interesting is that this article shows how steps towards simple living, as quantified by scientists, actually affect one’s mental health. This article is definitely worth reading - Check it out!

One’s initial statement may be to say, “Bah! There is nothing here! If I only were to move to so-so place, I’d be truly happy!”. Yet, that is not an entirely accurate assessment.

Take a look at some of the things around you; There is beauty here too. You do not need to travel to the far reaches of the earth to find Shangrila; Shangrila is already here all around you. Go outside, and take a look at the birds and flowers. Maybe you live in a big city? Search for beauty there too! Believe me, it is there!

Small towns, big towns, big cities, far away places - They all have things of beauty too. Some may be hard to find; some not readily apparent. Yet, if you look, you shall find.

It is true that a journey of a thousand steps starts with the first one; The journey to find that perfect place is the one that leads to you.

To quote Enya from her beautiful song Pilgrim:

One way leads to diamonds,
one way leads to gold,
another leads you only
to everything you’re told.
In your heart you wonder
which of these is true;
the road that leads to nowhere,
the road that leads to you.

Marfisi was not always involved with gardening. According to the article, he is a former consultant for big-name clients such as Sun-America.

I can relate to Mr. Marfisi’s story. I grew up enamored by technology. I thought of myself as the first kid on my block to get a personal home computer back in the 80’s. Being around computers was the thing to do for me, and I spent years involved with them..

That is, until not too long ago, when I began to discover that the more technologically savvy we have become, the more we have lost touch with the earth in some cases. Of course I am not advocating being a Luddite, and throwing away technology. On the contrary, technological advances have greatly benefited humankind. The fact that this blog can be read by someone around the world is a testament to the wonders technology can bring.

However, there are those moments of truly Zen-like peace and clarity that seem to only be found doing such activities as tending to one’s garden or flowers. When we are gardening, we are reconnecting to the Earth and the Great Spirit. We are becoming one with Nature and the Great Spirit.

Being involved with gardening not only brings you a sense of peace and tranquility, but you are also contributing to the concept of sustainability and care for the planet. In the afore-mentioned article, Marfisi sites author Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food. In this book, Pollan estimates that the distance traveled by food to the plate of an average American is 1,500 miles.

1,500 miles! Can you imagine that for a moment? We have truly lost touch with the earth if we are consuming food that has been grown 1,500 away.

By growing food locally, you are cutting down on fuel costs needed to transport food from one part of the country to another as well as contributing to a sense of community. One of my favorite pass-times is to visit the local farmers’ markets. I know the food I am getting there is the freshest it can be, grown with love and care by people who love doing what they do.

Nature is all around us; We have only to look in our own backyards. Maybe we do not have backyards; That’s okay! We do not need huge acreages - Just the desire to grow something and some ingenuity.

A very interesting book that deals with this concept of how the micro farm movement is changing the world is Micro Eco-Farming: Prospering from Backyard to Small Acreage in Partnership with the Earth by Barbara Berst Adams. In this book, the author demonstrates how people all across the world are doing what they love while at the same time contributing to the sustainability of this planet and bringing joy to their communities.

We have, I believe, come to a point in society where people are no longer satisfied with fake or genetically modified food. People are literally taking things into their own hands and contributing to the sustainability of the earth.

In the near future, I hope to start my own micro garden, which I will share with you via photos. We have only just begun, and the journey promises to be an enchanting, magnificent one!

In the past, I would walk obliviously through this slice of Heaven on earth, not fully appreciating the magnificence of Nature’s creations. Yet, whenever one needs to, there is the beautiful simplicity of Nature all around, just waiting for us to slow down from our rapid lifestyles and admire.

One does not need to necessarily travel to exotic locales and far away places to find a slice of Heaven on Earth; It is all around us! In big cities and small towns; In far away lands and right next door.. We have only to open our eyes and spirit, and see that which was there all along..

Taking the time to slow down and be a part of Nature doesn’t require money, fancy cars, or fancy clothes. Anyone can do it if they are willing. The reward is a sense of peace and relaxation, and an understanding that maybe it’s worth taking the time to stop and smell the roses.

With gas prices well above $4, wars, rumors of wars, disease, and food prices skyrocketing, one would think that we really are living in the End Times, as predicted by certain cultures!

It does not take a rocket scientist to realize times are changing, yet on a daily basis I see people going about their business as if nothing is happening - More worried about their iPhones or the latest American Idol.

The fact of the matter is - Times are changing; What the future brings, none of us can know. But perhaps it is well worth becoming prepared for the changes to come? No, I am not saying we all need to move to a bunker in the middle of nowhere. Not at all.

However, perhaps certain rational steps maybe in order? One such suggestion would be getting to know your local farmers markets! You would be getting to know your local farmers. In addition, imagine if the national supply chain were to break down. You would not be able to get food from halfway across the country.

Suppose you wake up to find one day that gas has hit $10/gallon or more. In lockstep, the prices of food will go up as well. A more locally-minded economy would be of great benefit to us. Not only would it allow us to reconnect with each other, but it would be something that could sustain us in the troubling times to come.

I am sure the accepted method of thinking is, “Everything will be fine; It can’t happen to us”. Think about for a moment how many of the cultures that are no longer in existence had thought times would never change and all would always be well too?

Ironically, certain events that occurred focused on the spirituality itself - Namely, the need to be aware and wary of spiritual materialism. The author Chogyam Trungpa does an outstanding job in describing this Spiritual Materialism in his book Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism.

Basically what I have seen throughout the years is - One will find spiritualism or religion and embark upon this path towards enlightenment. Often times, however, the ego takes over and the spiritual quest becomes all about the ego rather than the true nature of spirituality. It becomes almost a sort of contest; a “my spirituality is better than yours”, or “I am more enlightened…”

That is missing the entire point!

I believe the true nature of spirituality is that silent understanding you have when you “just flow”.. When you are connected to the Great Spirit, and you feel as one with the things around you. It is almost impossible to put this understanding into words, yet all of us have felt it in our lives.

I have discovered that as I progress upon my quest in life, it is very important to be ever vigilant of the ego in matters of spirituality. I am not out to prove my belief is better than anyone else’s; Only to understand what the Great Spirit has communicated.

What an excellent way to save money on day to day items! You can find pretty much everything you would find at your local supermarket here. Of course, the difference being, the items are only 99 cents. What’s more, the store sometimes lists items as 2 or 3 or more for 99 cents!

For the cost-conscious person, 99 Cent stores are a great way to go. Why would I, for example, spend $2.99 or more for paper towels if I can get the same or similar paper towels at a 99 cent only store for .. well.. 99 cents?!

For a list of 99 cent only stores around your are, visit their website. This is not the only chain, however that offers products at discounted rates. I will post of other such stores in the coming days.