Comments on: How I am changing #1 http://storycatcher.net/wordpress/2009/03/17/how-i-am-changing-1/ Stories are the voice of humanity Sun, 01 Aug 2010 07:02:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Brenda Peddigrew http://storycatcher.net/wordpress/2009/03/17/how-i-am-changing-1/#comment-379 Brenda Peddigrew Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:30:44 +0000 http://storycatcher.net/wordpress/?p=45#comment-379 My partner Joan and I have always lived by the maxim "Less is enough", pointing out to ourselves the hidden trap of the more common cultural saying "less is more." We have grown in the meaning of this over several years;still, I have often found myself irritated by the small space in which we have deliberately chosen to live in order to afford a house on a river in a forest with three acres of land around it. This and similar choices are teaching me more than I anticipated. They are a spiritual practice indeed, revealing to me my unconscious participation in a mad culture, and offering me opportunity upon opportunity of releasing that madness into the wind and the trees. In the current climate I feel blessed by this practice of now many years. Still, we live in the space between simplicity of life choices (getting easier and clearer) and being vigilant that we don't get pulled in by the current culture of alarm, anxiety and a seige mentality. This is difficult, and a necessary discernment. Many of us grow food and trade it here for several months of the year; it's a weaving of essential community that we are about when we do this work. Our times are opening more and more opportunities, I think, for a deeper knowing of ALL that is involved in intentional choices for the reality of interdependance. Now I love going into a mall and naming all the things I don't and will never need! My partner Joan and I have always lived by the maxim “Less is enough”, pointing out to ourselves the hidden trap of the more common cultural saying “less is more.” We have grown in the meaning of this over several years;still, I have often found myself irritated by the small space in which we have deliberately chosen to live in order to afford a house on a river in a forest with three acres of land around it.

This and similar choices are teaching me more than I anticipated. They are a spiritual practice indeed, revealing to me my unconscious participation in a mad culture, and offering me opportunity upon opportunity of releasing that madness into the wind and the trees. In the current climate I feel blessed by this practice of now many years.

Still, we live in the space between simplicity of life choices (getting easier and clearer) and being vigilant that we don’t get pulled in by the current culture of alarm, anxiety and a seige mentality. This is difficult, and a necessary discernment. Many of us grow food and trade it here for several months of the year; it’s a weaving of essential community that we are about when we do this work.

Our times are opening more and more opportunities, I think, for a deeper knowing of ALL that is involved in intentional choices for the reality of interdependance. Now I love going into a mall and naming all the things I don’t and will never need!

]]> By: Roger Harrison http://storycatcher.net/wordpress/2009/03/17/how-i-am-changing-1/#comment-326 Roger Harrison Wed, 18 Mar 2009 03:02:46 +0000 http://storycatcher.net/wordpress/?p=45#comment-326 I, too, have practiced frugality most of my life, partly out of a feeling of scarcity, I'm sad to say, and lately more out of my love of this wonderful, abundant planet we inhabit. I appreciate your piece, Christina, and I am hopeful that our new interest in saving here in America is part of the Great Turning we've been looking for. As a person who was born in the depths of the Great Depression, it is a matter of wry satisfaction to me that the habits of thought and behavior in which I was instilled by my parents—even though they weren't poor—are gaining some appreciation once again in my life. Our circles, short or long cycle, are still circles! I, too, have practiced frugality most of my life, partly out of a feeling of scarcity, I’m sad to say, and lately more out of my love of this wonderful, abundant planet we inhabit. I appreciate your piece, Christina, and I am hopeful that our new interest in saving here in America is part of the Great Turning we’ve been looking for.

As a person who was born in the depths of the Great Depression, it is a matter of wry satisfaction to me that the habits of thought and behavior in which I was instilled by my parents—even though they weren’t poor—are gaining some appreciation once again in my life. Our circles, short or long cycle, are still circles!

]]> By: Ann Eyerman http://storycatcher.net/wordpress/2009/03/17/how-i-am-changing-1/#comment-325 Ann Eyerman Tue, 17 Mar 2009 22:09:27 +0000 http://storycatcher.net/wordpress/?p=45#comment-325 Frugality has never been a challenge for me - mainly because I hate shopping and the meaningless consuming that permeates so much of the world today. But what I have been changing is that I'm not silent any longer about the useless stuff that is out there and what we could be doing to consume less. I work every day with people who have lost or are about to lose their employment. They are sad and scared and along with hand holding and motivating and resume writing I always ask them: "How will you change how you live - what can you do without and how will that feel?" It might not change everyone's thinking about stuff (I also usually throw in my anti-Wal Mark tirade - gently) but maybe it will get one or two thinking about doing without. If there can be any silver lining to this recession I believe it will be people's renewed - or first time - commitment to use less of this world's resources and enjoy the process. Frugality has never been a challenge for me - mainly because I hate shopping and the meaningless consuming that permeates so much of the world today. But what I have been changing is that I’m not silent any longer about the useless stuff that is out there and what we could be doing to consume less. I work every day with people who have lost or are about to lose their employment. They are sad and scared and along with hand holding and motivating and resume writing I always ask them: “How will you change how you live - what can you do without and how will that feel?” It might not change everyone’s thinking about stuff (I also usually throw in my anti-Wal Mark tirade - gently) but maybe it will get one or two thinking about doing without. If there can be any silver lining to this recession I believe it will be people’s renewed - or first time - commitment to use less of this world’s resources and enjoy the process.

]]> By: Jeanne Guy http://storycatcher.net/wordpress/2009/03/17/how-i-am-changing-1/#comment-324 Jeanne Guy Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:23:46 +0000 http://storycatcher.net/wordpress/?p=45#comment-324 As leftovers are heating, alas, in the microwave, I am pondering your question about tangible gestures. As it pains me to ever throw food away, my husband has nicknamed me the Queen of Leftovers and marvels at my ability to create tasty dishes out of what he insists was an empty refrigerator. I'm not sure I would call myself frugal as the word has always had a connotation of lack for me. Maybe I see myself as an appreciator as opposed to a consumer, a believer that less is more, and ultimately grateful and appreciative for what I have. I'm already an avid recycle nut, but after a recent trip to Whidbey Island, where folks I met use fewer paper products, I am cutting way back on my use of paper towels in the kitchen and may consider weaning myself off of tissues (Handkerchiefs! They use handkerchiefs on Whidbey - can you imagine?). I may have converted my "department store" husband to shopping secondhand stores as while we were there, we needed warmer clothes and bought sweaters at the local thriftstore for a whopping $3.25 each. "Look at these hiking boots for $15; they're practically brand new!" he exclaimed, grinning as he proudly put them in his cart. We consciously gave thanks for the true abundance we were experiencing and discovered a capacity for delight that is priceless. So, betcha I could do something with that potato of yours... As leftovers are heating, alas, in the microwave, I am pondering your question about tangible gestures. As it pains me to ever throw food away, my husband has nicknamed me the Queen of Leftovers and marvels at my ability to create tasty dishes out of what he insists was an empty refrigerator. I’m not sure I would call myself frugal as the word has always had a connotation of lack for me. Maybe I see myself as an appreciator as opposed to a consumer, a believer that less is more, and ultimately grateful and appreciative for what I have. I’m already an avid recycle nut, but after a recent trip to Whidbey Island, where folks I met use fewer paper products, I am cutting way back on my use of paper towels in the kitchen and may consider weaning myself off of tissues (Handkerchiefs! They use handkerchiefs on Whidbey - can you imagine?). I may have converted my “department store” husband to shopping secondhand stores as while we were there, we needed warmer clothes and bought sweaters at the local thriftstore for a whopping $3.25 each. “Look at these hiking boots for $15; they’re practically brand new!” he exclaimed, grinning as he proudly put them in his cart. We consciously gave thanks for the true abundance we were experiencing and discovered a capacity for delight that is priceless. So, betcha I could do something with that potato of yours…

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