Sea Change

The more spas change the more they stay the same.



Or do they?



After a recent trek to Southern California, where I was treated to a slew of facials, body treatments and a very cool lunch near the beach cottage where the film "Beaches" was filmed, I realized something.



Something profound and yet obvious.



Spa philosophy is undergoing a major sea change. A re-evaluation of the needs, benefits and purposes of subjecting one's self to strange therapists trained to make you feel better.



This change can be seen everywhere. The mainstream has already decided that "Green" is the new "Black." You know this because even television commercials and internet pop-ups are banging it into your head 24/7.



From fashion, cars, housing, travel and carbon footprinting, the green fever is in the air. Walk outside and take a deep whiff.



You can smell it . Or hopefully, you soon will be smelling less of "it" (read: pollution! with an exclamation point!) as politicians, big business and trend-spotters jump on the proverbial hybrid-bandwagon.



We can already purchase carbon offset controls and find dozens of internet entries to explain it to me. I mean you.

Even if we don't fully comprehend the basics (yes, I'm speaking for myself) we at least know about recycling, using canvas bags when shopping (and it doesn't count if you leave them in your car) and saving water.

We can buy or build, if you have the wherewithal, environmentally "sensible" homes, purchase less-polluting household furnishing, use solar and wind energy and join the minions who prefer to positively change habits rather than hide in a cubicle bemoaning the loss of the full-throated whatever.

And, as I've mentioned before, business-savvy and concerned travel industry leaders (particularly in the spa industry) have realized there's tons of money to be made with this new campaign to Save The World. So, let them earn the profits while cleaning up the environment. As my mother used to say, "It couldn't hurt."

It's a lofty goal and a heady declaration. But I'm kinda old school (not the movie) when it comes to fixing stuff in society. I remember writing reports on conservation in the sixth grade. And that was a "few" years ago. And why did it take so long for Al Gore and the Environmentalists (a new rock band?) to be taken seriously? Anybody?

As long as we continue to move forward, there's still hope. But we have to keep it alive through action, not words.

If Rachel Carson was around to see what an even bigger mess we've made of this planet, it would probably kill her. Read "Silent Spring" and weep. And then blow your nose and get active.



Why am I making this such a big deal here in this spa blog, of all places? Because it's important, it's bigger than the next president (as long as it's not a Republican) and it's spilling into the spa industry.

That's a good thing.

As we all know, women are the true arbiters of change and decision-making. History bears this out and who knows this better than you, the one who makes all those vacation plans? And house buying plans? And food purchasing decisions? And vacation plans? Yes, I know I'm repeating.

Women make the final call when it comes to vacations. And spas are at the top of the "Must Include" list. It's true, because I've read about it in newspapers, magazines and, even on some blogs.



Now, I'm not saying that everything you read is true because I've been a journalist for two decades (give or take ten years) and unfortunately, have learned that even the most doe-eyed, sweet-natured journo is capable of great untruths. Or untruthiness, as Stephen Colbert might say.

But we know this truth to be self-evident: Homo Sapiens is a bummer. Selfish and ego-centric. But we also have the capacity to do great things, make drastic changes and try to save the world.

All I am saying is: give sustainability a chance. It may not be as catchy a phrase as that keen John Lennon song, but it's the word of the year(s) and it's making the rounds.

There are plenty of eco-centric vacation places out there, with spas that are on board and sending up (bio-degradable) flares. The next posts will focus on some of those places. Some I've visited, some I can merely dream about going. But you know what they say about dreams....And like John Lennon, I'm a dreamer.

One who really, really likes Wikipedia.