Change.org recently proposed that members of this innovative social network for change post an idea of 250 words or less, discuss with others, and vote on the top ideas from around the country (US).

The top 10 rated ideas will be presented to a representative of the Obama Administration around Inauguration Day at an event in Washington, DC. They'll then also announce a formal nonprofit sponsor for each idea and play a supporting role as each organization launches a national campaign to mobilize the millions of people on Change.org, MySpace, and partner organizations to turn each idea into real policy.

I drafted mine though I haven't quite had the audacity to post it ...

My vision of spa-retreat as a cultural concept has the potential to bring about real change in personal and planetary health. It arises from my belief that it is possible, necessary, and effective to integrate self-care, self-development, and self-expression with environmental concerns such as water quality and conservation.

The concept incorporates the idea of taking sabbaticals of at least 3-months from everyday concerns in order to focus on one's own well-being and that of the planet. An inspiring model for this is the ancient Asclepian sanctuaries to which people went to seek healing from troubles of body, mind, and spirit.

Those returning from these retreats or sabbaticals would bring back with them insights and actions of value not only to themselves but to the whole (much as Native American vision quests are intended to do). These places of seeking-and-support would be free, and free of any doctrine.

Many people are attracted to the images of health and reinvigoration associated with spa-retreat. However, the underlying essential value and role of our physical and social environments is often overlooked. Spa - sanus per agua (health thru' water) - should not be a luxury commodity.

Water as an indicator of health and also a tool for health, is central to the spa-retreat offering. Water, as a metaphor, provides many insights into human behavior and human potential, as the Taoists knew well. Water and humans need to be free and have depth and clarity to thrive.

My profile on Change.org.

How about joining and posting your idea too!

Other ideas related to water on Change.org.

The first part of 2008 was one of healing and gestating a new vision for me.  The second part surprised me with the determination I found to create three websites (with blogs) as platforms to share my love of water, all supported by my interactions on many other networks including Gaia. 

Next year, I am hoping, will be a year of more actions and adventures in the 'real' world, though that to me is an unknown and exists behind the veil of what we have mostly come to see as reality.  It's a dream of something that is already there, if we could only give it our attention.  So, I will give it mine, to the best of my ability.

Here is a link to my full Greeting on one of my websites, Vision Spa Retreat.

I welcome your feedback and thoughts. 

Meanwhile, may your holidays be happy and your new year exciting!

Thanks for reading, Sara (aka Sulis)