A while ago I tentatively broached the subject of what I saw as the link between terrorism and our materialistic lifestyle. What prompted this was my fascination with the simple phrase “Live more simply, so that others may simply live.” So, I suggested in the article that maybe living and working in a way that was more sustainable might be some kind of antidote to terrorism – a way to even out the balance between rich and poor and the tension and resentments that are fuelled by the widening gap between those who have those who have not.

In this inspiring and challenging talk, Karen Armstrong, a writer and commentator on religion, explains her wish for a Charter for Compassion.

There is the possibility, as she sees it, for religion to become a force for harmony, through the widespread re-adoption of the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule is a teaching that is central to all religions – do not do to others what you would not like them to do to you. The Golden Rule is fundamentally about compassion – our ability to feel with the other, to “de-throne ourselves and put someone else at the centre of our lives” as she expresses it. Compassion, not conflict, she explains, is a route to happiness and harmony.

For me, “living more simply so that others may simply live” is a way to modify our behaviour every day in the recognition that there are others in the world who desperately need us to do so, just to survive.

Just the word “activist” can conjure up all kinds of conflicting images in our minds from violent civil unrest to peaceful, cooperative dialogue. When we consider our need to live more sustainable lives, we are being called to face some very tough challenges, personally, in our local communities, nationally and globally.

How can we follow our hearts and speak out for what we believe in without causing further suffering or hardship? How can we be effective and consistent in how we decide to act? How do we engage in non-violent methods of transformation?

According to Joanna Macy, author of “Coming Back to Life: Practices to Reconnect Our Lives, Our World.” There are three dimensions to shifting towards a more sustainable way of living. They are 1) actions to slow the damage to the Earth and its beings; 2) analysis of structural causes and creation of structural alternatives; and 3) a fundamental shift in worldview and values. Whilst we can see that it is necessary for all of these to happen, we might wonder why any of us as individuals should take part in number (1), which is basically about becoming activists.

Becoming an activist can mean putting ourselves in the spotlight, opening ourselves to criticism, aggression and stress. So why would we do it? The “holding actions” and campaigning that activists engage in as part of point (1) are necessary to buy us more time to carry out parts (2) and (3). There will be government legislation needed as an inherent element of part (2) and some of this will require campaigns by the public to bring necessary laws into existence or to ensure that they are drafted to allow for optimum resilience and sustainability. The cultural shift mentioned in part (3) can be achieved through a softer form of activism in terms of education, mentoring, coaching and training, writing and journalism and facilitating discussion.  So there are many different ways in which we can choose to become an activist.

On a personal level, being involved in activism and campaigning on sustainability issues can add meaning and purpose to our lives and a tremendous feeling of achievement that we know will serve not only ourselves and our contempories, but possibly many generations to come.

The 7 “Hows” of becoming an activist.

1.    What are you passionate about? What are you angry about? What breaks your heart? Follow the answers that feel strongest for you. This is where your motivation and energy lie. These are your chosen areas of engagement, your “causes”.

2.    When you think of each of your causes, what needs to change? What needs to happen for this area to be heading in the right direction for a sustainable future?

3.    What kind of obstacles are standing in the way? Legislation? Bureaucracy? Lack of education?

4.    Who else thinks the way you do? Find others you can join forces with. E.g. campaign groups, charities, online forums.

5.    Decide how much of your time, energy and skills you are willing to devote to your activist role. Be clear on your boundaries (especially with respect to time) and responsibilities (what actions you’re happy to do and what you’re not prepared to do.)

6.    Decide on what methods you will use to stay informed on events in your chosen areas of engagement (your causes).e.g. newsletters, specialist magazines, blogs, google alerts.

7.    Be mindful of the 5 tiers of service: Serve i) the divine by expressing your gratitude, ii) yourself by staying healthy and inspired, iii) others through random acts of kindness, iv) your local community by getting involved, v) the world by taking responsibility as a global citizen.

Anita Roddick is an example of an activist who achieved much through her campaign work and her business in her short life. Anita’s website (set up by her husband Gordon following her death) contains some useful ideas to inspire you and I will leave the final words to her:

From: www.iamanactivist.org

“I am not an activist in pursuit of recognition or fame.
I am not an activist so that strangers will think I am a good person.
I am not an activist because it is good for business (although more often than not it is).
I am an activist because being an activist makes me feel alive.

Activism is being a voice for the voiceless, standing up for the weak and the frail, engaging the human spirit. It’s putting your head above the parapet, being heard. being seen, being counted…Do something. Do anything. Just do something.” Dame Anita Roddick 1942-2007

Some other, related, websites that you might also like to have a look at are:

In the UK: www.38degrees.org.uk
In the USA: www.moveon.org
In Australia: www.getup.org
For world citizens: www.avaaz.org

I’m delighted to say that Morgan at Red Raven Circling has been kind enough to pass on a Kreativ Blogger award to me.
Morgan’s blog is all about her Morgan’s musings on nature, poetry, writing, and the search for a sustainable life. On receipt of the award,  I’m now obliged to do the following:

1.    List 7 things that I love

□    Birdsong
□    The moment of stillness just before dawn
□    Reading
□    Growing fruit and vegetables
□    Harvesting fruit and vegetables
□    Walking, especially the Coast Path.
□    Divine chocolate and Somerset cream teas

2. Link back to the blog that awarded it to me, which I’ve done above.

3. Choose 7 blogs to award as ‘Kreativ Bloggers’

□    Elderwoman blogspot. Marian Van Eyk McCain’s occasional thoughts on green and conscious ageing, simple living, loving the earth … and life in general.
□     Outer Travels, Inner Journeys. A journey of a wandering soul living in Peru.
□    Downshifting Path. Enjoying the “now” in every moment. A work in progress towards living a sustainable , healthy life, making a living and creating a life, leaving smaller footprints on the earth. It is my hope that the smaller footsteps will gain momentum and leave large imprints of conscious living to enable our children to enjoy the beauty and abundance that surrounds us.
http://transitionculture.org/ About this site
□    Transition culture. How might our response to peak oil and climate change look more like a party than a protest march? This blog explores the emerging transition model in its many manifestations
□    Anchors and Masts. In this space, Tess explores ideas and practices around living everyday life consciously, with an awareness of what is sacred.
□    Choosing Voluntary Simplicity. About finding balance in your life, connecting with who you are, and creating a lifestyle where you wake up each morning eagerly anticipating the day ahead.
□    Terra Infirma. Gareth Kane’s very useful green business blog.

4. Comment at each blog to let them know they’ve been chosen. Ah, my very next mission…

As a small, sustainable business owner who operates internationally, much of my marketing efforts revolve around online networking. Whilst this can be an effective and sustainable method for promoting oneself, every so often I’m drawn to reassess the forums I’m using and how I’m managing my time. Maybe there are others of you too who feel this tension between sensible time management, focussed effort and the urge to communicate your message far and wide.

So I thought it might be helpful to mention a couple of networking sites that seem particularly supportive of sustainable businesses and their aspirations.

The first is a site I was prompted to visit by a comment in Chris Johnstone’s newsletter, Great Turning Times.

It’s called Wiser Earth and Chris describes it as a “Great Turning version of Facebook”. Having tried Facebook for a few weeks and decided it was not for me, it was this statement that caught my attention.

Wiser Earth brings together well over 100,000 organisations and individuals from all over the world to “connect, collaborate, share knowledge and build communities.” Originating with a vision of the author Paul Hawken, the website was launched 2 years ago and is funded by the Natural Capital Institute in the USA and by individual donations.

The second website, Pledging for Change  started in April 2008 and was set up by Karen Maskell as a Community Interest Company, based in the UK but with a global vision. Karen’s pledge is to “actively promote and support all organizations who work ‘In the Spirit of Harmony with Our Planet’.” She says that the aims of Pledging For Change is to “give a hand up (not a hand out) to sustainable business, charities, non-profits and fundraisers” and to this end, the organisation operates an elective share scheme.

If you are involved in any of these areas, then do go and have a look at what’s happening in these active and inspirational forums and encourage others to get involved too. And if there are others you’re involved with and would like to mention here, please feel free. I expect we can all benefit.

How do you host a productive meeting with a diverse group of people who you might not even have met before? How do you embrace the wide variety of different backgrounds, life experience, strengths, skills and expertise in a democratic and enjoyable way and still achieve useful results?

By: “Awakening and engaging collective intelligence through conversations about questions that matter,” according to The World Cafe.

Here’s a short video of a World Café style meeting in action:

 
I was first introduced to this concept through the Transition movement  and have been researching the idea with a view to using it  more in our local transition initiative and in sustainable business training courses.

The World Café website has some useful looking hosting guides which cover the process and design principles, how to manage logistics plus some ideas for powerful questions to whet the appetite.

The reaction from those I know who’ve already had experience of using this method is that it’s both effective and fun.

What are your views?

If you have experience of using World café for business meetings, how effective did you find it? What drawbacks, if any, did you discover?

If you haven’t already tried it, would you be attracted to giving World Cafe a go?