Blogging Vacation...

I'm taking a blogging vacation for a week or so. I'll pick up with my 29 Day Challenge posts when I return. I'll also update my Southern Reading Challenge selections when I come back to the blogging world. For now, relaxation, good reading, and time with my family are taking precedent.

What It Means to Be Human - or - The Post I Promised My Brother I Would Write

This is not an attempt to pretend to be an authority on anything. I am not an authority on the subject of this post and will not pretend that such a timeless and important question can even be, or should even be, articulated on this blog. What I can provide, however, are a few thoughts of how my perspective on the world has changed over the last few years and of how I am learning to see humanity a little more clearly everyday.

I have come to believe that we are all so much more connected to each other, to the earth, to the past, and to the future than we generally act like we are. I have also come to believe that, as a whole, people have come to live lives that are too disconnected from each other and the world in which we all share. However, humanity is everywhere... 

I have seen humanity in so many teachers who refuse to give up, no matter how difficult the education climate in this state has become, no matter how many times they are told to do things that go against what they know to be good for children. These teachers continue not only to show up everyday, but to love and believe in their students in ways that lift these young people to heights previously unimagined.

I have seen humanity in the way that some people remain hopeful in the face of all kinds of adversity, who believe that they are on this earth to serve others, and who selflessly give of themselves without sacrificing their souls. 

I am learning more and more that one of the most beautiful things about embracing voluntary simplicity is that by being true to myself and my own values, I can also free up resources that others might need. I've learned that poverty and voluntary simplicity are two very different things. I have never been poor, but I have worked with countless students and parents who, although impoverished in terms of their economic situations, were rich beyond measure. How can so many of us continue to live with such excess, while so many in this world cannot even afford to meet the basic human needs of themselves and their families? 

To be human means to look at all other humans as equals. Period. It is as simple and as complicated as that. I'm working on this equality thing, because I don't think that we are brought up in this society to learn how to treat each other as equals.

To be human also means to be aware of how our decisions affect ourselves and others. I think that if we were to truly learn about where our food comes, how it is manufactured, and how we are fed so many lies in the name of profit and big business, we might begin to work towards a healthier world. I am proud to say that I have not given one penny to the fast food industry in a number of years, and if I could take back all the money I gave to them years ago and instead give it to local, organic farmers I would in a heartbeat. I am also proud to say that I continue to educate myself on where my food comes from. I am a vegetarian who tries to buy locally grown and organic when I can. I know I can and should do more. And I do not admonish those who choose differently than I do. But I do believe strongly that if we knew more we would make different choices and begin to change the course of history. 

And I believe that to be human means to believe in the possibility of hope and change.  

The 29 Day Challenge: Day #15

Yesterday morning I read a disturbing and compelling article in the newspaper that prompted me to action. The article reported that 7 out of 10 children in our local community are designated as low income and qualify for free and reduced price lunches through the public school system. For many of these children, the only meals they get throughout the day are the ones provided for them at school. This is also the last week of school for local area schools, which means that come next week, these kids will not be getting their regular meals through the schools.

What did I do? I researched a local food bank that distributes food to over 90 local organizations. What did I give them? A modest check that, according to their calculations, will provide 240 meals to local residents.

How do I feel? Sad... but more on that later.

Simplicity and Cycling...

Yesterday my mom and I did a beautiful and challenging bike ride through a nearby National Park. The park was so seemingly empty that most of the day we had the place to ourselves. It was amazing to be able to ride along and actually hear and see the wildlife in their natural habitats. We were far less intrusive than we would have been in a car, and it gave me a new perspective on a place that I truly feel is magical. Next time, though, I'll bring more water and plan my food better... that should make the last 16 or so miles more enjoyable than they were yesterday... All in all, though, it was a beautiful day in a beautiful place. Small pleasures, small footprint on the earth, large gratitude for the good company and this wonderful place we all call our home. 

The 29 Day Challenge: Day #8 - Day #14

I know I've been remiss with this challenge's postings, but I have not been remiss in the giving-things-away department. Here's a recap of what I've been up to this week:

I've donated a couple carloads of stuff that I didn't even realize I had until I started going through desk drawers, closets, and other storage spaces. Hopefully, what had become unloved by me will find good homes. 

This week has made me realize that we really do need much less than we think we need. I've learned that I don't want to or need to store as much stuff. I want a space filled sparingly with useful and beautiful things, but I do not want or need closets stuffed with things that I only see when I pull them out and box them up and move them to a new home. 

Hopefully, by day 29 of this challenge my reasons for giving will be more altruistic than they are at this point. Honestly, it feels so good to lighten my load just a little bit more everyday. I don't think this is a bad kind of selfishness, but I do hope that I get more creative and selfless in my gifts. 

The 29 Day Challenge: Day #7

What I Gave Away: Some quality afternoon time...

Who I Gave It/Them To: My mom

Why: Because I sensed that she just needed me beside her this afternoon...

What I Observed/Learned: When my mom and I set our mind to something we are quite a powerful duo.