Small Steps With Hope

One of the good people I've had conversations with is Connie Heppner Mueller. She has helped build a group called Altona Community Action Network.     https://altonacan.blogspot.com/ They've worked on various projects around their community, around garbage and compost, reusable grocery bags, (boomerang bag project) and other things. One of her pet projects has been waste reduction. If you want to see her work, you can find her on instagram. https://www.instagram.com/waste_reduction_project/ I was very inspired by her work in this area, but although I made an effort for a while, I didn't get anywhere near her 2 liters of garbage per month goal. Not anywhere close!!! But I became more aware of waste in our home, and was inspired to learn more about recycling and garbage in Manitoba and would say that I'm a more aware consumer. I shared with Connie my frustration with the reality that some climate conscious actions may be small and seem insignificant, or worse yet, some...

I've been writing about small steps, how to be brave and take action, blah blah blah (as my son would say when I wax poetic.  Or when I lecture.)   Looking at these first bunch of posts I realize that I need to balance thinking and action.  In my writing and in my life. Of course. Although, maybe the thinking is what enables action and so it's reasonable that right now I'm still in the think/talk phase?  Or maybe I'm justifying... actually what does it matter?  It's time for action.   Small steps! Betcha thought I was going to stop there.  Wouldn't that be funny?  A call to action with no action. :) Here it is.  Yesterday I made my own laundry detergent.  Ta Da!!!  I've been seeing ads for all kinds of eco-strips and water-free laundry detergents lately (thank you FaceBook algorithm that notices I'm a middle aged homemaker!)  These ads are reminding me that every bottle of liquid laundry detergent I buy comes in a hea...

As I contemplate taking climate action (as a lukewarm activist with good intentions) I often feel stuck because I know I can't do any of it perfectly. Apparently I'm not the first to feel this way, and was relieved to hear that it's actually a common saying or phrase; Don't let perfection be the enemy of the good. I'm relieved when I hear this because it feels like I have permission to take small steps and to encourage others along the way, even if I'm not doing it perfectly myself. I've spent plenty of years hearing a voice in my head tell me that if I'm not all-in committed and willing to change everything in my life, it's not worth doing anything at all. But that's not true. It's still worth doing something. In fact, how will I ever gain the strength and stamina and courage to do big things if I don't start with small things? And how can I start from anywhere but exactly where I am? So here I am, imperfect in many ways, but fu...

  The times are asking us to take action.  Massive political and personal change are needed.  That sounds overwhelming and intimidating.  When we were on our MCC orientation we walked past a giant sign every day that said "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."  Lao Tzu. In those days we were stepping towards our MCC term of three years in Egypt.  Now we need to take steps again, no matter the size.  Small steps.

The Earth is groaning in ways she never has before.  I think we are aware of this, although each of us has become aware in our own way and to a different extent. Some watch the news and absorb stories from around the world of catastrophe and disaster.  Some feel it deeply in the bones, grieving while watching the dry earth crack under the cloudless sky.  Some hear it but struggle to face head-on the grief that threatens if they allow themselves to look at this crisis directly.  Some are intellectually aware, but are unable to engage with the emotion and dissonance that this raises in themselves.  I'm somewhere in that mix. Some days I grieve unseasonable weather. Some days I am gripped by fear of climate apocalypse (usually after reading a book or an article alone with no one to discuss it.) Some days I hear stories of hope and walk with joy - celebrating a nest of baby birds, a sunrise that stops me in my tracks, the lonely howl of the coyote in the hills....

You and I are differently gifted, differently occupied and have different passions.  Within this divine community of which we are part, some spend their waking hours as healers, educators, counsellors, builders, dreamers.  We parent and we serve, we listen and we cook.  We dig and plant, we program and facilitate, we rest and soothe. Our activities bear out our priorities and in many cases, our giftedness.  What is your path and passion?  Each of us will approach the realities of Climate Change (Creation Care, Global Warming, Climate Emergency) in our own way. The great many terms we use to describe Earth's predicament are just one evidence of this. Some sound the alarm as they approach, some approach with the soft steps of healers, some come with numbers and facts, books and plans, prayers, art, rage and tears. How will/do you approach? Another beautiful task of the community is to recognize this diversity as a gift and look for ways to honour and bless eac...

I've been pondering the idea of change. For most humans, myself included, true and lasting change happens slowly.  It requires patience, persistence and grace.  I've realized that we humans typically develop in a linear fashion - one step at a time. Occasionally massive and sudden about-face type of change happens in us, but that's rare and doesn't happen on demand. Since our communities are groups of humans, motley and imperfect, we can expect that change will happen within us in the way that it usually happens - slowly and one step at a time. One beautiful task of community is to walk alongside each other without pretense, listening to and encouraging, coaxing and coaching each other along the way as we contemplate, experiment with, and embrace change. Small steps.

  In September of 2019 youth around the world marched in protest of environmental degradation and to demand government action in mitigating climate change. These marches involved staggering numbers of citizens, and bold calls for change at policy levels. At that time I felt a strong urge to be part of this movement and so after talking with a few co-conspirators, I was part of a gathering of 50+ people in Morden. You can read about it in this issue of the Winkler Morden Voice . We gathered to talk about our climate related concerns, and then marched with love and energy to the local government offices. At each of these offices we shared a letter of concern and a call to each of our leaders to take bold action on Climate Change. On that day, I felt a clear sense that the people who had gathered for this march might have some momentum to continue to move forward in raising awareness and taking action on climate change, locally. I remember that day of marching as a day filled wi...

I'd like to raise a voice.  A voice advocating for Creation - a voice to speak for the salamanders, the air, the fields, the people who inhabit this space.  It will be a small voice, but I can't really stand myself if I keep silent any longer. One more small voice in the choir.   One more person taking a small step.   Take courage.