We had green grass a couple of weeks ago. It’s been so damn hot here that the grass has burned away.
I stepped outside before to water my seedlings and check on the animals. I could hear the whirring of the air conditioners in the surrounding houses and smell the hose water from gardens close by that had been watered.
It got up to 40 degrees C here today. These kinds of temperatures are becoming more common.
We have a bushfire plan and we have a well worn method for dealing with extreme heat for both the humans and animals.
I wonder what the future will be like for my kids when they have kids of their own.
Sustainability and simple living have been weighing on my mind recently. It’s much easier to go with the flow and buy the latest stuff and eat whatever is cheapest and easiest.
I’ve been very conscious and committed in the past and it seems to invite a lot of criticism and judgement. I don’t like being thought of as someone who is being intentionally difficult or paranoid or weird.
I feel as though I’ve let go of many of the issues I feel passionate about as to not rock the boat (the kids not going to school is quite enough thanks!) but I can’t anymore.
I believe that every small, positive action can have great effect on the environment and global warming. I believe that we need more people to be more conscious and rock the boat for future generations.
I believe that my kids at least deserve that I try.
I’m choosing to vote with my dollars and support companies who are ethical, fair, and have sustainability in mind.
I’m choosing to step off the consumerist bandwagon and think about every purchase I make.
I’m choosing to aim for second hand, upcycled, repaired or handmade for things we do need.
I’m choosing to make setting up an edible backyard a priority.
I’m also choosing to remember that we live where we live and that going off grid or buying nothing new/perfect or getting an A+ in eco-awesomeness is not my goal. Every positive action counts. Sweating over every single action is tiring and unhelpful.
We’re going to change the world. One positive action at at time.
Anyone care to join me?
Food, inc
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m with you. We have been focusing on high quality, well made when we can afford it and have also done a lot of op shop buying. I’m proud how much our garden provides and we are having a cow butchered for all our meat needs. We also waste very little food and compost what we don’t eat.
So hear you! I have actually asked our family NOT to buy anything at all this year unless it is from a second hand store. I want to see how much money we can save from doing that
I reckon that we have too much stuff because we are lead to believe that we need it, yet the world works fine with what we really need (food and water).
Good on you for standing up and taking action. The idea of a backyard that is edible sounds like a great plan.
I am getting there. Xx
I’ll join you on the journey. Perhaps via a different route from time to time but awareness and mindfulness are key!
We are much on the same path at the moment, I sometimes get overwhelmed by all the stuff I read, like people going of the grid, when I know that is not for us. But like you I try remind myself that whatever little thing our family can do is worth it.
It’s the reason why I spent most of my earnings in 2012 on a 5kw solar panel system, so our reliance on coal generated power is minimal; it’s why we only run one car, so whichever adult / kids don’t have it on any particular day rely on walking, bike riding or public transport; it’s why I only buy newest and shiniest when it makes better environmental sense to do so (eg our new and quite exxy air con and fridge are both rated as highly energy efficient and of a quality where i should not have to replace them for a long time.)
In short, I agree with you. Individuals and households can all, together, start to make a difference – one mindful decision at a time.
I’ll join you, Shae! I love this wonderfully “positive” post
I love how you recognise that simple steps, small acts and goals are achievable, and that worrying over perfection can make the goals seem further away. It’s possible, truly possible to make a difference. Lovely.
Ingi from Defying Gravity brought me here, through a comment on a post of mine. I love the serendipity and resonance of that…how a thought can vibrate through the air, touch someone else, and then, pass on, to link seemingly separate people… We are in fact connected, deeply and always, our thoughts singing together in sympathetic vibration. Yum
(And I realise I’ve been here before too, through Owlet. Isn’t it a magical world?)
I’m definately with you on all points. I too have let a lot of things that i believe in slide, mainly for my kids sake. They don’t need their mum to be seen as odd. There is nobody around my way who thinks the way i do. I buy a lot of stuff from op shops and generally try not to buy anything at all. I have the edible back yard but at this time of year not a lot is edible. Too hot and dry. The key is to chose the things you really believe are important to you and enjoy doing them.
Funny, I came here to see if there was some way to link you up with Helena (commented above)!
And, I think you already know I walk the same path with everyday choices…most of my kids pressies this year were second-hand.
It’s easy to become overwhelmed and feeling like it’s “all or nothing”, but as you say, all changes no matter how small still matter.
Although I think my family were not particularly impressed the Christmas I gave everyone World Vision gift cards. I thought goats and chickens for impoverished families were pretty awesome gifts, personally
I believe in you and your actions.
Its always better to be positive and enjoy the simple life.