Living an altruistic life on Bainbridge | Letters | June 4

Published 11:04 am Friday, June 4, 2010

I had the opportunity of a pioneer – working with parents, sister and grandparents with real tools rather than toys. It gave me a can-do attitude and sense of helping that were inner rewards.

Such an imprint inspires a caring and sharing attitude of altruism needed for peace at all levels. Awareness of the interconnected web of simplicity is the practice.

Since the age of 7 I have felt both agony and compassion witnessing this culture of programmed needs, unnecessarily wasting resources as well as the lives of those dutifully striving to follow the script.

I believe many have not had the opportunity to discover the light outside the cave; how little one needs for contentment and the impact of more on the web of life. Sustainability depends on this awareness.

This comes from hands in the soil and other basic participation in life other than a computer screen, at any speed (Just a theory, not having used a computer).

There is a saying: “Money makes the world go around.” But I say it is running it into the ground by accelerating the activity in the ant hill beyond basic need.

It takes those outside the herd to see the cliff. Better to share minority perspectives than legislate them out of existence.

Would eliminating conservative lifestyles on the water somehow mitigate the Harbor Squares on the land? Keeping the land rural is also what makes Bainbridge a jewel. Life can be more satisfying in so many ways by not drifting toward Manhattan.

Dave Ullin

Eagle Harbor