I really like the arc of this piece: going from the quite inaccessible models of change makers that we have like mother Teresa, Dorothy Day, fiery protesters who chain themselves to trees, etc. It reminds me of a quote I saw in a zero waste store in Buffalo: that it's better if millions of people did zero waste imperfectly then if a few did it perfectly. I like the guinea pig metaphor. This is all a playful experiment! I sometimes wonder what benefits my practice of clowning has? And then I have an experience like I did the other day when I was in the hospital elevator dressed as a clown and this guy told me "thank you! I needed that. My son's in their emergency room and you brightened my day." So yeah, for me, being a change maker is putting on a red nose sometimes or just wearing a bright article of clothing like my rainbow fanny pack to remind myself not to take things so seriously. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Also, doing some gardening and being a good parent to our dog. Doing a dog training class right now that's quite involved. But I realize that having a well behaved and well-trained dog is overall a good thing for society and our household. I guess meditation/journaling would be another thing I'm doing that's subtle activism. Your discussion of values and emotions is interesting. I would add that sometimes I discover crappy values that I have, that I think would be good to change. For example I might have a negative reaction based in prejudice. So I discover that I do have a deeply internalized bias and this is something I want to at least be more aware of so I'm not driven by it unconsciously. Love your piece Liz! Keep going!
Thank you Dan! I'm so glad you liked it. Love this -- "it's better if millions of people did zero waste imperfectly then if a few did it perfectly" + little tears in my eyes reading about the guy in the elevator
Two ways I'm experimenting with being a change maker are gardening and using technology.
With gardening, I'm trying out methods that are low effort. People usually describe gardening and especially farming as something that's inherently a lot of work. I'm not convinced that has to be case. I'm using the Ruth Stout method (lots of mulch) and am having decent success. I don't water my plants and rarely mess with my garden at all. Yet radishes, beans, and squashes have been growing. My plan is to expand my plot and see what other plants work with this method.
With technology, I've been trying to find ways to use the internet, streaming and video games in the right amounts for me. It's still an experiment and it's led me to try out a lot of niche services from Google alternatives to going back to DVDs.
This was inspiring! Small actions and talking about our personal experiences can make a real difference.
I'm so glad to hear that! And dig what you're dong with gardening and technology.. both resonate, esp the gardening. I'm going to look into that method you mentioned, thanks!
I really like the arc of this piece: going from the quite inaccessible models of change makers that we have like mother Teresa, Dorothy Day, fiery protesters who chain themselves to trees, etc. It reminds me of a quote I saw in a zero waste store in Buffalo: that it's better if millions of people did zero waste imperfectly then if a few did it perfectly. I like the guinea pig metaphor. This is all a playful experiment! I sometimes wonder what benefits my practice of clowning has? And then I have an experience like I did the other day when I was in the hospital elevator dressed as a clown and this guy told me "thank you! I needed that. My son's in their emergency room and you brightened my day." So yeah, for me, being a change maker is putting on a red nose sometimes or just wearing a bright article of clothing like my rainbow fanny pack to remind myself not to take things so seriously. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Also, doing some gardening and being a good parent to our dog. Doing a dog training class right now that's quite involved. But I realize that having a well behaved and well-trained dog is overall a good thing for society and our household. I guess meditation/journaling would be another thing I'm doing that's subtle activism. Your discussion of values and emotions is interesting. I would add that sometimes I discover crappy values that I have, that I think would be good to change. For example I might have a negative reaction based in prejudice. So I discover that I do have a deeply internalized bias and this is something I want to at least be more aware of so I'm not driven by it unconsciously. Love your piece Liz! Keep going!
Thank you Dan! I'm so glad you liked it. Love this -- "it's better if millions of people did zero waste imperfectly then if a few did it perfectly" + little tears in my eyes reading about the guy in the elevator
Two ways I'm experimenting with being a change maker are gardening and using technology.
With gardening, I'm trying out methods that are low effort. People usually describe gardening and especially farming as something that's inherently a lot of work. I'm not convinced that has to be case. I'm using the Ruth Stout method (lots of mulch) and am having decent success. I don't water my plants and rarely mess with my garden at all. Yet radishes, beans, and squashes have been growing. My plan is to expand my plot and see what other plants work with this method.
With technology, I've been trying to find ways to use the internet, streaming and video games in the right amounts for me. It's still an experiment and it's led me to try out a lot of niche services from Google alternatives to going back to DVDs.
This was inspiring! Small actions and talking about our personal experiences can make a real difference.
I'm so glad to hear that! And dig what you're dong with gardening and technology.. both resonate, esp the gardening. I'm going to look into that method you mentioned, thanks!