As Within So Without

I've just finished watching a 10 part series on the auto-immune system created by Jonathan Otto. I found it very informative and have been implementing some of the suggestions it makes. A lot of it discusses the connection between what we eat, our lifestyles and our health.

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As I was watching, it occurred to me that what helps our health usually helps the health of our planet. For example, pesticides harm our health and the soil, factory farmed meat harms our health, animals and our environment, and living in polluted areas damages our respiratory systems and our air.

Sometimes I wonder if this is what karma is really all about.

Nothing we do happens in isolation. We are but a thread in a vast tapestry; what we do matters. We are one small part of a constellation of relationships, communities, events and world views. And who we are and what we do affect them all. We're part of a bigger picture that we help to create.

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Everything -- everyone -- has a past and a future beyond their present form. There are consequences, impacts and context to all we do, from where we spend our money to how we choose to live and who we spend our time with.

Where we spend our time, money and energy helps the world -- and ourselves -- heal or degrade. We fuel our lives with clean energy or fossil fuels that impact our planet in different ways. We buy fairly traded goods and say no to slave labour. We bank at credit unions and keep our money in our communities. What we do makes a difference.

When we look at life as a big tapestry, what are we weaving? Do our actions lead to a healthier, happier, more just world? Do they deliver personal and planetary health? Is our personal realm a place of kindness and understanding that invites others to also weave something beautiful?

When we expand our personal boundaries this way, I wonder if it creates more happiness and meaning on both the inside and the outside. When we do our part to create joy, health and beauty in the world, even in small ways, my sense is that it comes back to us. In these demanding times, it's worth being intentional about the way we live our lives, and the impact they're making.

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Getting Real in the New Economy

If you're anything like me, you're probably pretty conscientious. But, let's face it, in an economy as predatory as ours, it's an uphill battle even for those of us who make our beds in the morning, floss regularly and show up on time.

In this economy, others I know who are equally conscientious do all kinds of crazy things to stretch their money. Times are tough and, with the ever increasing concentration of wealth into fewer hands, getting tougher. And we're doing the best we can.

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So let's get real. We need to survive this savage period while helping others to get through it unscathed. Here are a few things we can do.

For one, let's lose the new age chatter. Forget about manifesting. While the money is evaporating all around us and going to the pockets of the very rich, it's going to take more than magical thinking to get us out of this predicament. We're in a situation that's like monetary musical chairs, on a crumbling ecosystem. This is serious, and we've got to get serious too.

And let's skip the tough love. We're already getting enough of it from the economic realities we're immersed in. Let's support each other and create trusting, caring relationships. We need all the support we can get these days.

Immersing ourselves in community goes a long way. Together we're creating solutions, making new friends and building support networks. Community gardens, environmental groups, tool sharing, free stores -- the more ways we find to share, the better off we all are, and the less isolated we feel.

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And let's pat ourselves on the back for the good decisions we've made, for the tenacity we show at checking the job boards daily, keeping our resumes current, and finding creative ways of getting by.

And for taking care of ourselves. In an economy that doesn't give a damn about anything except profits, it's a strength to eat well, to care for our appearance, and to make our well being a priority.

Morale boosters are a must these days. Some of the things that work for me are eating good but simple food, putting a few fresh wild flowers around the house, and indulging my creativity when I can. I find that putting some effort into my personal appearance elicits a positive response from others too.

Finding free, fun things to do can make a big difference. Playing cards or board games, going for hikes, having friends over for dinner, going to free nights at the museum, and getting involved with community groups helps everyone involved feel good. Focusing on the things we enjoy helps to take the edge off. It's easy to be intentional about this when we realize that most of us are struggling with money, time or both. We can all do our bit to lift each other up.

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One of the most meaningful things we can do is keep the big picture in mind. Since we're alive, we're the place of power between generations. We're the ones who can make a difference, honouring those who came before us and being in service to those to come.

Getting through these tough times is our challenge. How can we transform the world around us? How will we find better ways of living on our debased planet? What small steps can we take to influence our world in a good way?

There are small things we can do to make a difference like shopping at second hand instead of box stores. We can also give away what we don't need, live more simply and find free and second hand sources of the things we need. We can redefine our values, grow food, and build community.

And, whatever we do, let's be kind to each other. Most of us put on a happy face, and we don't know what kinds of hardships others are experiencing. Kindness is like a salve when we're all being chafed by a rough world. Here's a song to inspire kindness and appreciation for the world around us.

Collectively, we need to find a way to make a just transition to a cleaner, greener society. The basis for our emerging society needs to be kindness, fairness and sustainability. Our relationships are what will make the difference. We need trust and goodwill more than ever. The way we conduct ourselves now is the foundation for the new society we're helping to bring about.

Congratulations on surviving these brutal times! I look forward to the better times we're creating together. And, who knows? You might just be the one who makes all the difference.

image courtesy of Pixabay