Happy Birthday SMART Living 365! Yes, it was exactly eight years ago today (April 26th, 2011) that I conceived the idea of creating a blog around the letters S-M-A-R-T. In case you don’t know it, those letters are all part of an acronym that stands for Sustainable-Meaningful-Aware-Responsible & Thankful. At the time I wanted to create something that would help me focus on, and then write about, topics that are very important to me. I didn’t actually write my first post until May and it took me another month to get the site up and running. But, here I am, eight years later.
Has it evolved? Have I evolved? I sure hope so. Anything in nature that doesn’t continue to grow and evolve, will die. For example, where I live in the Coachella Valley of Southern California there is a large lake called The Salton Sea. That lake is the largest lake in California at approximately 350 square miles. The problem is, it is dying. As an endorheic basin rift lake, or “closed sea,” it retains water when possible but features no run off. It formed and receded throughout history as nature allowed until 1905 when an overflow from the Colorado River flooded the dry, saline basin for two years before they were able to redirect the water and stop the flow.
At first a mostly fresh water lake, gradually the ancient salt deposits underneath increased its salinity. In the beginning, fish, birds and other wildlife thrived and grew to call it home. Even more amazing, during the 1950s the Salton Sea became a popular tourist mecca and attracted celebrities from Hollywood. Millions of people swarmed the beaches and enjoyed water sports in the warm shallow water. Unfortunately by the 1960s, water evaporation and runoff from the nearby farming communities began to turn the water rancid. With no new water to refresh it, the fish began dying. Now, with climate change, scarcity of water, and lack of public will to take necessary steps, the Sea is headed toward environmental disaster.
The thing is, the Salton Sea can be incredibly beautiful. (See photo above.) If you catch the light on certain days and witness the silhouette of the mountain ranges that surround it, you can be awed by its breathtaking landscape. Watching the birds glide over the still water in unison is captivating. Through the years it became a home to one of the most significant and diverse bird populations in our country, with approximately 400 different species. With that, it evolved into becoming a rare and major resting stop for birds as they migrate back and forth from South America to Canada. But as the lake continues to dry up—and make no mistake—it is drying up; bird populations will suffer and die across the Western United States.
Perhaps far worse, as the lake dries exposing the lakebed, the fine sediment of silt that contains dust, fertilizer runoffs, minerals, pesticides and even sewage will become airborne in our desert skies whenever the wind blows. And while this may seem to be nothing more than a local problem, it is estimated that with wind patterns during certain times of year, the entire southwestern United States (Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas?) will be impacted with this toxic and harmful air.
Okay, so where is this sad tale taking us? It reminds me that even something beautiful and helpful will die if not allowed to evolve or change as necessary. As far as the Sea is concerned, there have been a number of solutions that have been discussed in the last 30+ years. Unfortunately they tend to be very expensive and in today’s economic, political, and environmental world, it looks as though only a major disaster will get it the attention it needs.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to live my life that way. If there is a problem on the horizon, I don’t want to wait until there is very little that can be done to fix it. If there is a situation happening that deserves my attention, I want to address it as quickly as possible. I get that it can be uncomfortable and sometimes even painful to mix things up and try different things, but I want to be the kind of person who addresses stagnation or problems while there is still a chance to evolve them into something better. I firmly believe that we are never without choices. Some of those options might not seem that great, but most of the time it is our lack of imagination that makes them seem impossible.
Just in case you are wondering, I’m not giving up on writing here on SMART Living 365. But I do feel the need for some changes. While I don’t know where I will head, I want to feel free to explore new ways of communicating and sharing ideas. A few of those ideas include:
- Completing and publishing my 4th book in the SMART Living Series. This one will be titled: “You Get To Make It Up—A SMART Living 365 Guide to Designing a Meaningful & Happy Life.
- Research and complete an audio book of Rightsizing. If that goes well I will create an audio book for all four of them.
- Serve as a guest co-host on the Rocking Your Retirement podcast with Kathe Kline during June.
- Write posts and make them available on SMART Living 365 when inspiration strikes.
- Be open to new ways of sharing any of the major themes that I write about on SMART Living 365 and introduce new ones if they capture my attention.
- Welcome and consider ideas from you and others on ways to evolve and grow myself and the blog.
I have always believed that change is a necessary part of life. That doesn’t mean it is always fun—sometimes it is the last thing I want to do—but I also know that part of me dies inside if I don’t. And I tend to believe that when that happens, for me and anyone else, it’s a slow steady slide to the end. Be that the end of a blog, or the end of what used to be a healthy and vibrant Salton Sea. While I continue to raise awareness, and support changes to the Sea, most of what happens with that body of water is out of my hands. What I can do is influence how and when I change myself and my creations. I definitely hope you all will continue to join me and see where it goes. Just remember that it is SMART to embrace change in your own life whenever possible and be open to where it will lead.
“To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.” —Henri Bergson
Kathy, thanks for writing about about the Salton Sea, and for advocating to make changes before it is too late for the lake, the birds, the air, and humanity. As you know, I am deeply concerned about global warming, the climate crisis, loss of diverse species, and the other human-induced changes that are presenting a threat to our survival as a species. I do believe that raising awareness is a good place to start, and that people are more likely to get involved in local initiatives working with others in their community, and where they can see a direct impact. Thank-you to you and others in your community for advocating to save the Salton Sea.
Jude
Hi Jude! You’re so welcome…although you really shouldn’t need to “thank” any of us for doing what seems to be so important right? The more we all do what we can where we are with what we have, the better. It is VERY important that we all do something because the time is certainly NOW. ~Kathy
I have always loved change except when I was young I used it in self destructive ways. Like just walking away from things. As I have grown older it has become easier to use it in ways that support and help me. Thx again for the great content!
I just stumbled upon your blog. I am inspired by your posts and dedication to it for 8 years. I just began my journey blogging this year. Thank you for sharing your story. It is helpful to gain perspective on the process.
Hi Misty! Good for you for starting a blog! It can be a truly amazing experience for both your own self expression and all the people you will meet and connect with….there are wonderful other writers out there and it is so great to connect with others who you may never meet in person but that you know are in your same tribe. Oh, and if you do get to meet them IRL it is even better! ~Kathy
Kathy – sounds like you have some really exciting things planned! I’ll look forward to seeing you pop into my inbox when you are so inspired. If you ever make your way to Chicago be sure to let me know. We have a beautiful lake here! So sorry about the Salton Sea – hopefully, someone will be inspired to save it. Do you know if there is a preservation society or nonprofit focused on this? Any petitions going around?
Hi Kathy!
Yes, change is important. And, diversity even more so. But, maybe that’s the same as “change”? Trying new things and following different paths has been a big part in my life. It’s important that the excitement is present in everything we do. Even in blogging.
Your goals sound great and feasible and I wish you success with them! As for the Salton Sea, I hope it receives help soon as well. Mark and I tried to “find” it a couple of months ago, but all we reached was a wildlife refuge without even a glimpse of the water. We’ve heard the sad stories before, though, but bird life seems to still be thriving around there.
Hi Liesbet! Yes, the birds are pretty resilient and they have made tiny changes to help them but we are already hearing of die-offs of certain species. As the water recedes it gets more and more salty which kills the fish that some of the birds (and insects) need to live. Population increases and water scarcity has reduced most of the pathways…I think it’s called fly-ways here on the west coast. As an optimist I keep hoping there are some solutions in the works but haven’t seen them so far.
And yes, we must stay excited about what we do and our lives to keep moving forward in a positive way. ~Kathy
Wow Kathy, congrats on your blogoversary! I can only aspire to 8 years, since I am only 8 MONTHS in…
Evolving is essential, I think, and I know that personally I have evolved and AM evolving.
I have learned so much from your writing and look forward to even more in the coming months and years.
I love your analogy about personal change, evolution, and the tragedy of the Salton Sea. We made a visit there a few years ago (probably on the way back from visiting the Palm Springs area) and were struck by the almost dystopian starkness. The changes that you will be making sound like the right ones for you and I am excited to see where they take you (and very excited to talk more about all of our growth and evolutions when we meet up in July). I enjoy listening to podcasts when I go on my walks, but haven’t explored many beyond This American Life. I’m looking forward to adding Rocking Your Retirement to my playlist.
Hi Janis. Yes I am excited about blog-talking (and socializing!) with you and the others in July. We ALWAYS have tons to share and discuss. And I highly recommend podcasts these days especially to those of us who enjoy learning. I’ve discovered so many new authors and speakers that way that have so much to share. I’m a real information-hound so for those of us addicted to learning it is an incredible resource. While they will never replace books (at least for me) they are wonderful when you are active and can just listen to something while doing something else like walking or exercising. Hmmm…I think I should do a post about it!!! Thanks for that idea. ~Kathy
Great, but sad information on the Salton Sea. I have been there a few times and it is an intriguing place. Mono Lake was in huge danger in the 70s of drying up and its low levels exposed land bridges to the two islands where California seagulls nest. With public awareness, outcry and petitions, it became a protected national monument. Perhaps the Salton Sea can have that support before it is too late. I haven’t checked into podcasts yet, but my premium Spotify account lets me download for free so I don’t use too much data while traveling. I do love my audiobooks for “reading” in the car courtesy of the library and overdrive app. I like reading about the changes and goals for your blog, Kathy. Congrats on the longevity and happy blogoversary!
Hi Terri! yes you would think we would have learned from Mono Lake about the devistation that can happen. It is my understanding that only after the HUGE environmental impact of the dried lakebed were they finally able to convince the powers that be to take steps. It COST a lot of money and is an ongoing expense for the state but they realized that the “price” of syphoning all that water to LA was pretty high. The water that used to keep the sea reasonably filled in the last 20 years has now been completely cut off (Mainly to Phoenix I think) so there is no water except runoff. Which isn’t much at all. We keep trying to spread the word but it’s an ongoing battle with a very uncertain future.
As for podcasts, nearly every iphone will connect to them through the internet and the search possibilities are endless. A couple that i’ve been enjoying lately or “On Being” with Kristin Tippet, The Tim Ferris Show, Goop, The Good Life Project, Oprah and so many more. Just go to Podcasts on your phone and search. The possibilities are endless! ~Kathy
Kathy, I’m definitely going to have to raise the “figure out podcasts” on my to-do list. I’ve always preferred reading, so listening to podcasts is a new thing for me.
I was thinking this morning about changing my blog focus … and decided to keep on the same path for now. I hit my 5 year mark on retirement decision…April 2014 I was given my early retirement package. I didn’t officially retire till July, but April stuck in my head as the turning point. So instead of a change, I updated my “about” page, and will stick with the focus for now. Hopefully I won’t be a Salton Sea heading for crisis.
Hi Pat! I am astounded by all the awesome information you can find in free podcasts. I am an information hound so I LOVE how there are so many ways to be inspired, uplifted and/or educated by listening to so many people sharing in podcasts. While I’ve never been drawn to do my own, it just sounded like something fun and easy to do when Kathe Kline offered me the opportunity. So we’ll see. And congrats on your 5 year mark. I guess I should go and check my “about” page too just to make sure it is up to date..and may we all be far more “proactive” than they have been with the Salton Sea! ~Kathy
Hi Kathy,
I am reminded of the saying “the only constant is change”. One the past 3 years change for me has been significant. I don’t regret it just need to find time for me. Going to work on that.
Best wishes with your changes and too look forward to the podcast as well as your next book,\.
Jamie
Hi Jamie! You’d think we wouldn’t need to remind ourselves of something so essential right? But I need to hear that message over and over. It is so easy for me to get stuck in routines and then get impatient with myself. Far better to anticipate it right. Good for you for recognizing that you need “me” time…and now finding ways to make that happen. ~Kathy
Dried up and dying but still beautiful as long as we don’t mess it up too bad. Sounds like me! And yes, change is good. Thanks for a thoughtful piece.
By the way, I meant dying in the sense we all are.
Hi Donna! I agree we all are…but what is the saying, “consider the alternative?” And personally I happen to find weathered and very, very old people to be fascinatingly beautiful much of the time. For me at least, I think a lot of it depends upon the peace they have about where they are in life. I find it rather sad when people try to hide or deny who they are, what they are or their age. I’m guessing you’d agree with me. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy, Thank you for a thought-provoking and insightful post. Your information about the Salton Sea reminds me of the Butterfly Effect, how one change can affect the entire planet. You also remind me of a book “Who moved the Cheese” when watching for the early signs of “a situation happening that deserves my attention.”
I will find out more about the “Rocking your retirement” podcast.
Thank you for enriching my Saturday morning:) Erica
Hi Erica! Yes…I do my best to remember the idea behind the Butterfly Effect. Our small actions (or inactions) do have far more power than we think they do. And it’s been ages since I’ve read Who Moved My Cheese but I agree with that too. I will definitely be letting everyone know when the podcasts are set to come out. We are thinking of a Q & A segment too. It could be fun and interesting! ~Kathy
Today is my wedding anniversary; 4/26 turned out to be a good day for making a gigantic change in my life 22 years ago. And so many other things are changing. 4 years ago, I started a writers’ guild in my town, but this October, I’m letting someone else take over and going back to being just a writer. Eight years ago, Mom moved into a rental near me, but she recently moved into assisted living so that house will go away, emptied of all the precious memories. Yes, change is constant. Much of it is good. We’ll see. Best wishes with yours, Kathy.
Hi Lynn! It sounds to me like this time of year (Springtime) is also a time of change and adjustment for you as well. I know you’ve been facing a BIG one with your mom and that takes courage and grit! Good to remember that change is always happening and that no matter what, our response to it is up to us. Best wishes to you as well. ~Kathy
Great comparison! So sad about the Salton Sea. So sad for someone who never grows and changes. I notice some women and who are wearing the same hair style for the last 2-3 decades. There are some men who never change their facial hair. I always want to shake them and say it is hair, it will grow back, give a new look a try!
Hi Haralee! Yes, the Sea is very sad. I remember swimming in it back in the early 60s when people still fished there and it was fun. Sort of eerie because the salt water is more dense than the ocean so it is incredibly easy to float. But now with algae blooms and dead fish–not so much. And the concern about air is very real. It’s just hard to imagine with the huge amounts of very wealthy people calling our area home that they aren’t willing to either fund change or force it to happen–but so far very little. Like so much, until something catastrophic happens, I doubt we will see action. Let’s not be that way in our own lives if we can help it!!! ~Kathy
Talk of change reminds me of a Patty Loveless song – How Can I Help You Say Goodbye written by Burton Banks Collins & Karen Good Taylor. There’s a line in it – Life’s about changin’, nothing ever stays the same. My family is facing change as our mother ages and is unable to live in her own home without increased supports. Like you, I want to address situations before they become crises. Is it easy? No. Change is inevitable.
Hi Mona! I’d agree that many well known songs talk about change too. The one that comes to my mind is Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin.” And that’s as timely as ever! And I am certain that your changes are certainly challenging–for her and all of you too. I can’t help but wonder if it might be easier for us all when the time comes to try to prepare for it in advance? Of course, my parents never wanted to talk about the future that wasn’t just the same as it always had been. Hmmmm…I guess we could experiment with ourselves. What do you say? ~Kathy
Change is on my mind this morning, but for a much smaller reason than the observations you are making in this post. You are addressing big, sweeping changes that you propose to make in your approach to writing, and your blog, whereas I’m confronting a relatively tiny change I am forced to make in wishing friends and families a Happy Birthday. Hopefully you will hop over to my blog on Sunday morning for a look! It sounds as if you have been thinking about making your changes for a while. Well thought out and inspired, as usual!
Hi Diane! I think it might be a “spring thing” with change don’t you think? I don’t know about you but when I look back over my life I do tend to be more restless in springtime and have urges to “mix things up.” And I agree they don’t have to be big at all….and as for “big, sweeping changes…” just hearing about that makes me nervous 🙂 I think I like to think of them as tiny incremental steps towards something new. That sounds so much easier don’t you think? And yes, I will make a note to myself to pop over and check your blog on Sunday. Thanks! ~Kathy
H, Kathy – Once again, you offer great modelling for us. I am very inspired by the upcoming initiatives that you have planned. I greatly look forward to staying tuned and seeing where they lead. I also look forward to having an IRL in-depth discussion this July!
Hi Donna! We will have SO much to talk about in July between your travels and everyone’s. AND I’m sure we will also be talking about all the new and fun things we can do with our blogs. I’m definitely looking forward to it! ~Kathy
Good for you. I’ll have to check out that Rocking Your Retirement podcast. Do we access it thru our regular podcast app, or somewhere else? And do you know when you’re gonna be on?
Hi Tom! Thanks for asking! I will be doing my “guest posting” in June and of course offering links on both this site and my FB page. Not sure if she is in the standard podcast directories or not…but you can google it for more. ~Kathy