Winter Salve

 

 Good for Winter-chapped hands, feet and lips.

Turn Your Dollars into {Sense}

Wonderful vlog from lovely Hellena!



 These issues are really close to my heart, and I know so many other people's too.
The idea of localizing resources to create a more environmentally stable world is a really interesting idea to me.

I'm also interested in co -ops that build up local communities and bring people together on a level playing field; place where everyone's voice can be heard and appreciated.

I  love the idea that we can thrive without an imposed system or hierarchy. We don't have to be dis-empowered, cogs in a wheel or passive consumers. We can all have a role that is valued and honored in our community.

We all have the right to meaningful work and a meaningful life.

Our children have a right to a warm, safe, loving community in which to grow, thrive and find their place.

One thing that really touched me about Hellena's story about her market  was when she said "We were all accepted as we were,"

Reminds me a little of this wonderful speech by the wonderful and dear soul that was Mister Rogers.

This morning I watched a movie on TED called "This is Water".

It is a real contrast to the gentle, green, leafiness of Hellena's beautiful bamboo verandah isn't it :)




Do we go through the system to end up here?
... Really?

Do we see one another is such a callous way?

If so, surely something must be going somewhat wrong.

But, mostly, I'm left wondering why on earth  we wouldn't question such an existence!

For this planet to begin the healing process we need to see one another, truly, deeply and with love.

It's not just our perspective that has to change.

The foundations for our perspective have to change too.

They need to be healthy, with healthy values and goals that protect our planet, our communities and our families.

I think this video illustrates that the way we are doing things now may not be conducive to that goal.

We need to start really seeing one another.

Because it's only when we really get up close, and make a real contact that we truly connect.
And it's when we connect that we can work together and truly be the change we want to see in the world.

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A few thoughts that really made me think today from Hellena's blog...

"

Can you put a value on a beautiful day, when the birds are singing

and people are walking around together?  How many dollars an hour

does it take to pay you to stay inside and sell things or file papers?  

What will you get later that could make up for this day of your life?

How are you affected by being in crowds, by being surrounded by 

anonymous masses?  Do you find yourself blocking your emotional 

responses to other human beings?

And who prepares your meals? Do you ever eat by yourself? Do

you ever eat standing up? How much do you know about what you

eat and where it comes from?  How much do you trust it?

What are we deprived of by labour-saving devices?  By thought saving devices?  

How are you affected by the requirements of efficiency, which place value on the 

product rather than the process, on the future rather than the present, the present 

moment that is getting shorter and shorter as we speed faster and faster into the future?

What are we speeding towards?

Are we saving time?  Saving it up for what?

How are you affected by being moved around in prescribed paths, 

in elevators, buses, subways, escalators, on highways and sidewalks?  

By moving, working, and living in two- and three- dimensional grids?  

How are you affected by being organized, immobilized, and scheduled.......

instead of wandering, roaming freely and spontaneously?  Scavenging?  Seeing?

How much freedom of movement do you have - freedom to

move through space, to move as far as you want, in new and 

unexplored directions?"

Wash Wednesday

Today
I had a little help

with my wash wednesday post!



The ordinary everyday brims quiet with sacred moments...

From the rousing sounds of children within the walls of the house I step, unnoticed into birdsong and the rustle of leaves overhead.

Small hands, grasp and clutch and bury and reach. And I inhale deep the moment, learning the blessing of slow lived, *real time* life.

The space it opens for me to simply be and enjoy the moment with her.

The embracing of the dawning day with a basket load under arm, and a silent, waiting line.

The decoration of socks and skirts abundant in late afternoon breeze.

Washing Line Poetry

The Sky is just waking.

Icy sunlight eclipses powder blue.

Dew glints from green.

An emerald garden, a mine of jewels.

A sparkling world.

And a row of clothes outline the shapes of those I love.

Those dear to my heart.

Stains washed away with the love of my own two hands given away to the wind.

To be gently dried anew by creation.

The soft whispering breeze.

The smile of the sun.