When we were young, we were often reminded of the importance of ‘taking responsibility’ for our actions. This was often followed by thoughts of doing the right thing and when the wrong thing was done, making things right.
As we move into a new decade, living in an age where we are told that we can have anything we want, it might be timely to think a little deeper about the importance of taking responsibility.
What do I mean? Well, with the scientific community telling us almost on a daily basis that disaster is imminent… looking around my local community and seeing profound suffering by many such as the aged, the unemployed and the undervalued… and seeing governments chanting a daily mantra of the critical importance of a growing economy.
As you all know, I love beautiful furniture because it creates such a wonderful atmosphere in our homes. It allows us to enjoy something that will outlive us and enable us to pass these wonderful pieces onto the next custodian. Yet unfortunately the mantra of some furniture retailers – one in particular quickly comes to mind, has a marketing message (and product to match) which implores us to ‘upgrade’ every couple of years. It should come as no surprise that this global corporate is responsible for the consumption of nearly 1% of our native forests to manufacture rubbish (and dangerous) furniture (in my opinion). Is that a picture of sustainability for our planet and communities?
I consider myself to be blessed as I have had an interesting and varied career and been able to provide for my family. But as we approach 2020, it is apparent to me that the old ways are about to end abruptly. This is going to require a need to urgently rethink how we live. Just look as how much waste we generate – garbage taken away from our homes each week, fuel for our cars, power for our homes and workplaces and much more.
How is it, I ask myself, am I taking personal responsibility for my rubbish and what I consume? And hot on the heels of that realisation, what can I do? I know I am only one amongst billions, but this is what I am doing:
Preserving beautiful furniture and advocating the importance of decorating our homes and creating a lovely living atmosphere with furniture that will last many lifetimes with a little care and consideration. None of us really need garbage furniture that is like a cancer on the Earth’s forests;
Taking responsibility for my own waste… like trying not to use plastics or buy things in plastic packaging, buying a worm farm and putting my organic waste into the worms, growing vegetables (lovingly) and feeding them with waste from the worms as well as composting;
Eating mindfully – not based on convenience or eating out of boredom but based on caring for this body. I also think about all of those animals and their sacrifices to sustain me;
I act as a citizen in my local community – not a cog in an economic machine;
I care for my self in a holistic sense – mind, body and spirit;
And so much more.
Why wait for the change to be forced upon us? It is not hard and incredibly rewarding to bring simplicity and mindfulness into our lives. But you have to want to do it – for self, for family, for community, for the planet. Are you willing?
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