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Natural Awakenings Dallas -Fort Worth Metroplex Edition

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Game-Changers Abound If We Seek Them

Bernice Butler

I am inspired this month by Linda Sechrist’s article “Youths Step Up to the Global Challenge,” about young people that have stepped up and are acting to bring about change in the world. How valuable and encouraging it is for young minds and energy to join the quest to better our society and our world. They so poignantly demonstrate to us that if we all can just begin at home, at school, our workplaces and in our own neighborhoods, then amazing changes can occur.

They remind us that change is incremental and that the power of one or two committed people with even a small idea that’s executed fervently can change hearts, minds and then the world. As someone who loves to  refer to my owner’s manual, the Bible, for instruction, it’s interesting that it admonishes us often that all we need has been graciously provided—we just need to use it wisely for its intended purpose, without excesses, for the benefit of our fellow man. Fascinatingly, most of the game-changers we see and hear about are doing things that honor these instructions.

As an organization comprised of compassionate, committed individuals working to boost the well-being of 95 communities across America, I consider Natural Awakenings a change-maker. Sharing leading- edge information and suggesting actionable solutions for living a healthier lifestyle aligned with a healthy environment is the goal of each member of our local and national team. As the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex/North Texas publisher, I’m honored to spread the word about all the good things going on here and elsewhere as we invite readers to also join us in advocating and acting on behalf of far-reaching changes needed to effectively address health and environmental concerns.

It has been most rewarding to see our community and our region embrace and share our philosophy that green living is healthy and healthy living is green. We will see many examples of this concept on display next month as our partner in green and sustainable living, GreenSource DFW, presents its seventh annual Sustainable Leaders awards. You can go to their website, GreenSourceDFW.org, now to vote for your favorites.

Socrates, an early founder of Western philosophy, advised, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” Natural Awakenings readers take such advice to heart. This month, we take a look at how chiropractic care continues to evolve and how its practitioners are continuing change-makers. Also, the acupuncture and Oriental medicine national day of awareness is October 24. Both of these modalities honoring our God-given ability for the body to heal itself address an expanded range of health issues, and both are now moving into mainstream hospital settings and getting the coveted insurance coverage.

Another important game-changer we highlight in this month’s issue is Michael Cain, with EarthX Films. Because of the impact of his storytelling skills via  EarthX Film’s well-curated, thoughtful and timely films, my own life has been changed in many different ways; the most significant of which has been my gravitation to a vegan diet. Earlier this year, EarthX presented a screening of the film Game Changers, produced by Louie Psihoyos, about vegan lifestyles that afforded viewers the opportunity to interact with some of the stars and producers, and my life hasn’t been the same since. Michael Cain and EarthX Films continue this same caliber of storytelling via their Movie Monday, when every fourth Monday of the month they present screenings that will impact hearts and minds.

I am encouraged, as I hope you will be, by these examples of individuals and groups in the Metroplex striving to make a difference in the lives of others. Each of us has within us the power to be a change-maker. I hope this months issue encourages you, as well.

Blessings,

Bernice