There’s a bigger lesson here, though. Continuing development during droughts demonstrates that conservation on one level may only serve to encourage waste and exploitive use of resources on another level. Consider that when we recycle, instead of reducing need for landfills, we might just be opening up more acreage for Wal-Marts and subdivisions. When we push for more public transportation, instead of alleviating congestion, we might just be creating more available volume capacity for land speculators.

The problem may be that we see conservation only as a personal choice or fashion. But to be truly effective, we might have to apply it throughout all levels of society, not as fashionable behavior, but as internalized ethic. We might need to think beyond personal recycling and every-third-day-watering to such notions as conservation of land use, conservation of quality of life, conservation of surface and ground water, and conservation of climate. We might need to value restraint in physical expansion, restraint in personal transportation, restraint in gratification, and restraint in resource consumption.

Do we dare consider freezing addition of new water taps and making future taps conditioned on sustainable supplies? What a bold notion: to use conservation not to put squeeze on individuals to cough up resources for industry, but to make our lives easier.

It’s always difficult to draw a line at a particular point, but that doesn’t mean a line shouldn’t be drawn at some point. After all, west’s land and resources are not unlimited. If we use them up, then what? Have we reached point where we consider drawing that line? While there are still some things left to conserve?

I am reminded of an article of Dr. Holstein's called Positive Spaces, which focuses along same lines. When you are surrounded by enchantment and things that really reflect your own personality and things that you love, you create new warm memories by bringing out best of past.

For example, my love of New Orleans has inspired me to create a Creole-style kitchen and my love of Caribbean has inspired a soft bathroom with unusual colors. It is so fun to be creative and pull best from your experiences.

A Play Date with Building Enchantment

You have now read two different accounts of making a house come alive with personal history. Take a few moments to reflect on what you have loved in past. Was it what you saw on a vacation? Perhaps, actual household items, as I talked about. Perhaps a certain style or time period makes you feel great.

What else would you like to bring into your life ... new things ... a new home ...a garden ... new clothes? Perhaps it is nothing physical, but things like more music, or time with friends. Whatever it is, take some time to daydream. Let our stories wet your appetite and give you encouragement to bring more enchantment into your life.