I get the frustrations, I get the fear, and I get the shear heartbreak of what we have been going through BUT there has never been a more poignant demonstration of the theory "you are only as strong as your weakest link". To those who look to find loopholes in the rules or those who simply ignore them altogether you make a mockery of the pain and devastation of our fellow Kiwis who risk losing everything.
As we take the first steps towards increased freedom and increased economic activity I have never been more conscious as a consumer and as a business owner of the need to live my truth. Every dollar I spend I feel a more acute need to ensure it supports a person or a business within our community that will in turn support others. But it's not always easy to know.
Big business might seem cold and all powerful. Less concerned with the people, chasing only the bottom line. Sure there are some of those out there but on the most part NZ businesses - even the big ones - are run by Kiwi's who take their need to support their staff seriously and personally. And if they fail the job losses will have horrendous impact on our economy.
Supporting our local economy is such a complicated process. Buy NZ made where you can, buy local and off small businesses if it's available, but if we don't make it please buy it from a company in NZ who already sells it. Try not to spend your money on overseas purchases while we get ourselves up and running. And continue to support the businesses who have always supported you, the butchers, the bakers, the grocery store owners, and the favourite coffee store.
In times of economic hardship the best thing to do - for those who can - is spend normally. BUT keep it make sure there is a Kiwi impact.
I import some products that are not made here, I only import what I cannot source locally because if it's at all economic I'd rather support another local company rather than trying to reinvent the wheel. Now more than ever.
I'm not much of a kumbaya person but if there was ever a moment to hold hands around the campfire and help each other this is it.
]]>I think i have my act together most of the time....but do I? My current BP says maybe not. And it came as a bit of a shock.
In the pursuit of modern success we want everything now, we want lots of it, and we regularly don't stop to think about what it costs us. I think what we are doing to our environment is a reflection of what we are doing to ourselves.
We want life to be convenient and we trade off our health and the health of our world to try to make it so.
We apply chemicals in our skin to try to hold on to our youth or obtain the latest "fashion" look. We take pills and supplements to try to compensate for an absence in nutrition and exercise. We work longer hours in jobs that don't fulfil us to try to "get ahead of the pack" or to pay for all the material possessions we feel we are entitled to.
I feel sometimes like we are stuck in a permanent 4 year old toddler state. Stuck in "I want it" even when we know its not good for us. I want it, therefore I should have it, and I will deal with the consequences later.... we forget that later isn't never and it's often sooner than we think.
I am so close to obtaining the "goal" of my plan for the last decade, but the consequences of burying the stress impact on my physical self are coming home to roost. And there is no point me saying "not yet, its not convenient". Changes have to be made now - because while much of my world seems great - my body has had enough.
This is true of our environment. The body of our world - the planet is showing the impact of our failure to consider the consequences of our convenience material culture.
We need to be mindful in all of our decisions. Our body and our world require the same pragmatic logic. Is this toxic, will this add value, does this provide sustainable joy or fleeting fancy, and what happens to it when it is no longer of use?
Mindful living doesn't exclude joy, it should inspire it. Buy things that last, that bring you joy, that serve multiple purposes and were ethically created. Don't fad shop, even eco fads.
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To be grounded means you are at peace with who you are, you recognise yourself for your positive and negatives, and you have confidence in the decisions you make… you trust yourself. To be grounded means you exist in your surroundings and make decisions and choices based on the environment you find yourself in today.
In being grounded I strive to live and "I am" life rather than an "I wish" life. It's a work in progress every day.
It is a reality of modern life that we are constantly presented with images and dialogue about who we should be, how we should act, where we should live, and what we should buy.
We often expect external events to make our decisions for us so we have someone else to blame.
Being Grounded is about owning your life. Warts and all
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Single use packaging how far have we really come?
I’m pretty eco conscious - more than some, less than others but I do what I can. No shampoo bottles in my house, reusable coffee cups, shop at the refillery when I can and I make most of my own cleaning products.
But every time I think maybe we are making real impact I take a trip to the supermarket I realise that we’ve barely scratched the surface. As an extremely time deficient working solo mum I understand the allure of convenience products and I don’t think demonising those who buy them is the answer.
How do we go mainstream in a way that gets everyone on board in a meaningful way. Making from scratch and self sufficiency are wonderful ideals but they are a bitter pill to overworked and under resourced families. Access to refilleries is limited.
Surely in a no8 wire culture we need to do more to put an emphasis on widespread application of biodegradable/domestically compostable food packaging. Not the greenwash kind that say they are green but when you peel back the marketing layer there is no substance to it. Genuine recyclable or compostable packaging.
We need to make sustainable choices the easiest choices. We also need to make those choices economically accessible to all, not just the premium eco shopper.
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