This week I witnessed an historic event—one of the most amazing of my lifetime—seeing the landing of civilization’s first sun powered long-range airplane, the Solar Impulse. I was among those on the ground watching this Swiss creation circle and hover above the Dallas–Ft. Worth International Airport, lights pulsating against the night sky, as it slowly and methodically made its hovering descent onto the designated runway lit with red, white and blue blinking lights. It reminded me of spaceships in the classic films ET and Aliens.

Although the plane’s flight from Phoenix to Dallas, the longest leg of its maiden voyage across the United States, took 20 days (fondly dubbed a snail flight), it signifies the dawn of a new era. This all-electric solar vehicle uses no fossil fuel and is pollution-free. As the publisher of a natural health and sustainable living magazine, this milieu is where I live. As we continue to report, starting with Earthbound electric vehicles, the necessary move to clean renewable energies is picking up velocity on many fronts.

I believe that each of us finds reason to green our journey primarily based on one of two launching points: we are focused on supporting our own and others’ health and quality of life, perhaps desiring to fully recover from chronic illness, or we are concerned about carefully stewarding an environment able to support diverse life on the planet. We all come to the point of understanding that these two standpoints are not mutually exclusive, but rather interdependent and inextricably intertwined.

I am privileged to be able to help lift up the message of all things green, healthy and sustainable in the DFW Metroplex at this time in this space. My passion for ministering to this ideal grows by leaps and bounds every time I encounter proof of enlightened intelligence in action. Together we are learning from one another’s journeys as we experience the inevitable truth that green living is healthy and healthy living is green. It is my belief that God has created this Earth and all that is in it to live together in a harmonious balance, providing all that is needed; and, that we honor Him by being good stewards. Even if you disagree, can anyone deny the manifest wonders of this extraordinary planet and universe?

This month’s issue is chock full of educational, relevant and cutting-edge information from wise and passionate experts. It’s one of the perks of this job that I get to meet so many dedicated, knowledgeable people doing interesting and wonderful things to move people forward on the universal mission of realizing sustainability.

Recently, for example, I met a new green colleague and wanted to know more about her insights into ensuring environmental safety for our children, so she has agreed to write an article for our August Children’s Health issue on how local people are sanitizing classrooms for our young children. Meanwhile, Jessie Sally’s current article explains how Baylor Hospital’s Integrative Medicine program is upping its game in effective cancer care by integrating complementary health practices into its protocols such as acupuncture, massage and chiropractic. There is always more to discover…

Wishing you an inspired summer,

Bernice Butler, Publisher