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"Saying there's too many children is like saying there's too many flowers."
A simple, bumper sticker for a simple person. I do a lot of research on sustainability and the things we can do to promote it. As human beings we pride ourselves on our intelligence.
What arrogance! We think we're so above our animal neighbors but still seem to be slaves to the simple, biological imperative to procreate. You want to start a heated discussion at your next party? Forget politics and religion. Bring up the subject of population control and see even the most logical and mentally stable person turn into a slobbering fool. They will invoke God's will, their genetic superiority and moral obligation to pass these precious genes on to the next generation, keeping the family name alive or my favorite. "I wanted to be a whole woman and experience pregnancy and birth."
That's great. What about the human, cabbage patch doll you just had to have to satisfy your selfish ego? We need to stop breeding! Humanity is like a plague of soft, SUV driving, Latte sipping locusts. Enough already!!
http://www.vhemt.org/
Yikes! That was a rather restrained rant here but I'm still putting out small fires in the living room. Overpopulation is a major, pet peeve of the Evil twin.
Sustainability comes down to having enough resources to sustain the population. Now we have even more people on the planet and they want to live LARGE like post WWII Americans. LOCUSTS!
http://www.overpopulation.net/
I'd like to say I don't mean to scare you but... I DO! THIS IS SCARY S#!T.
We live in a closed system. We're gobbling up resources and spewing waste. Look around you and tell me you don't feel like you're living in a toilet. Stop and give it a good thought before you start lecturing me. Especially if it involves "God's will".
I was having a civil discussion with a self proclaimed, liberal Mormon. (isn't that an Oxymoron?)
We were talking about general, life issues when we started discussing how hard it was to raise children. Her sister got married young and started popping out babies like muffins for a bake sale. Living with her in-laws since her hubby did not have a job and she was busy taking care of the growing brood of children who were already becoming a strain on both families.
The Evil twin came out and started talking about the wisdom of birth control and the need to control the world's population to spare resources. Well... Suddenly, little miss "Liberal" turns into the most fundamentalist Mormon I've ever met and calls me a baby killing atheist. "There are as many people on the planet as God wants." And apparently he wants more!
It doesn't matter that you have a great job and can afford to have 6 or more children. Those children will grow up to believe your madness and have tons of children. It's a vicious cycle and we'll be living on a barren Earth before we know it. Even if you're counting on the Rapture. Please, please don't leave a scorched, dead earth for the rest of us. That's just not very Christian of you. In my opinion.
http://www.zpg.org/index.php
When I was in my early 20's. I tried to get myself fixed. I did not want to have children for many reasons. I was told by EVERY doctor I visited. That they wouldn't think about it unless I already had a few children. You see, it's a woman's nature to be a mother and I would change my mind. I mentioned adoption as a way to satisfy the maternal instinct that had yet to bloom in me. They laughed. I didn't.
Now, if I were a man and wanted a vasectomy.... They would have thrown me on the table and snipped me before the ink was dried on the consent forms. What is wrong with this picture?
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/sex/is-getting-a-vasectomy-the-best-way-to-help-save-the-planet-315079/
I don't regret the magical, drunken accident that brought my son about. He's a very cool person and I'm teaching him to be kind to future generations by not consuming so much. He says he doesn't want children and I applaud his very adult decision. We'll see what happens.
I just pray people wise up before Mother Nature has to open a can of whoop ass to thin us out. Judging by the recent events. I'd say she's already working the opener.
Not too soon for me! Stop breeding you lemmings! What makes YOU think your genes are so great they need to be stored in a drooling, crying, pooping, future drain on the planet's resources? You're not that great. Trust me. If natural selection was allowed to do its job. There would be precious few humans on this planet. Look around and witness the glory that is humanity. Don't laugh or cry too hard.
I am so broke I can't pay attention!
At least I'm not the only one. Looks like the whole world is strapped for cash. Iceland was going to declare bankruptcy. A whole, freaking country!
Lets pause and try to wrap out heads around that little nugget.
Now, lets think about what we, as simple people can do about this global, financial crash.
BARTER!
We all have goods and services to trade, right? Who came up with the stupid money idea in the first place? I could go on about governments and how they use "legal" tender as a way to control and manipulate their citizens...
Yeah, man! They make money that you work a crap job to get to buy things you need and then they brainwash you with television, magazines and music videos to want to buy more things that you DON'T need and then you start buying on credit because your crap job doesn't pay you enough to live the lifestyle your forced to see other people living and you start choking on envy and going deeper and deeper into debt trying to impress douche bags who don't matter and...The whole world blows up!
Sorry about that. Evil twin got out of her cage again. She's been frothing at the mouth and I've had to cut her CNN off.
Where was I? Oh, yeah, Barter! No money required.
I sat and had tea with a friend the other day. We chatted about life and how broke we both were but still needed things to live. She wants to raise chickens in the urban jungle and use the eggs as barter. Then we started to talk about other people who might have things to trade/invest in building her coop. We got to talking about creating a small, local, barter co-op.
There are many barter sites on the internet for those eager to expand their world.
http://www.barter.net/
This is a great place to start but don't discount the power of a small group of well intentioned people who live close to you. network people. It's an ancient skill that deserves to be cultivated.
I have friends who are growing small gardens with the intent of sharing and swapping. I have my own green things growing too. I also love to bake. I can't sew but I know people who do.
Can you fix things? I'm a massage therapist. I LOVE to do trades. If you ask around I'm sure you'll find someone who has something or a skill you need. Like my dad always told me. "It never hurts to ask. The worst anyone can do is say, no."
So ask and ask with a smile. You'll get better results.
Now that the world is running out of money. We're going to have to get creative with commerce.
How will YOU be of value in the near future? There can only be so many blow hard, political pundits and financial advisers. I can't wait to see THEM begging for spare change.
Now, the way things are going. We're all hurting but there is always someone worse off than you.
PLEASE, don't let hard times stop you from giving to charity or even donating your time.
Your local food bank is always a good bet. Just a few extra items in your shopping cart to put in the bin. Most stores have them in plane sight this time of year.
The Salvation Army is another I always find an extra dollar or two to spare.
Karma is an account I always try to invest in. It doesn't take much and it never looses value.
Be well and know you have skills and things other people want. Even if your cash flow is little more than a trickle.
Into your life some rain must fall. I can handle a little rain but lately, I've been considering building an arc. My luck has been so bad it might be funny if I were a cartoon character. But I'm not.
After some intense meditation I've stopped feeling sorry for myself. Instead, I've decided to see this rash of minor disasters as a learning experience.
1. Don't feel the victim. The Universe gives us all a swift kick in the ass every once in a while.
2. Accept help of any kind graciously.
3. Take care of yourself.
4. Keep a sense of humor. It's a lifesaver.
5. Reevaluate your purpose. Have you lost your way? The Universe can dish out some harsh lessons. But it's tough love.
Now, my poor, poor me rant is over. I want to get people to stop and think deep thoughts.
There is definitely a shift in the way the world is or isn't working.
Everything I look into to seek clarity in my life seems to point me to ONENESS. It has different names and you can call it whatever you like. It all boils down to connectedness and harmony.
http://www.phoenixregenetics.org/index.html
This is an interesting site. Love the concepts.
http://www.experiencefestival.com/
I watch the news and wonder how we, as humans can behave like territorial animals. We've been to the moon, mars and can look into the depths of the universe. But there it is.. People killing their neighbors because they don't pray in the right direction. Being from a different tribe can be a death sentence. Heaven forbid if you're female. That just opens you up for all sorts of pain and humiliation. What is wrong with us?
Things have to change and I'm working on "For the better" change in the world.
How about you? Happy thoughts make happy people.
http://www.december212012.com/
Because it's coming sooner than you think!
Watch primates and you'll see a lot of touching. It strengthens social bonds and lets face it. It feels good!
Being a massage therapist really opens one's eyes to how we, as modern primates. Have become touch phobic.
I have always been a touchy, feely person. I loved cuddling with my parents and had no problem touching the animals on the farm.
It took being molested by a babysitter to change that. How sad.
It took me many years to get comfortable with touch again. Even then it wasn't without hesitation. I wondered what the other person wanted from me.
Then, I had my son and fell in love with touch again. I cuddled him before he was born. Hugging my belly and rocking myself and him while humming happily. Nursing was especially wonderful. Snuggling my baby as he suckled. Rocking in the chair as I dozed. It was so peaceful.
Recently, I started hosting a touch therapy circle. It's been small so far but I hope for more people. It's so wonderful sitting, touching other people and chatting. It's very intimate, safe and a great way to make friends and bond with old ones. Those silly monkeys have it right! We should have never come down from the trees!
Ok, maybe we should but look around you. Americans are weird about touch. Somehow it has to be sexualized or sanitized. Touch can't be just touch. A non verbal way of communication.
http://www.whitelotusryu.com/historyofmassage.htm
And for those who don't believe in the power of touch.
http://skepdic.com/tt.html
It's simple, intuitive and it feels good.. unless the touch is from someone who's intentions are NOT innocent and friendly. That's another subject.
I'm talking about people touching people as a way to reconnect, communicate and sooth each other.
Don't be afraid. Reach out and touch someone.. after you've asked permission first. Wounded people can be a bit skittish but they need touch so badly.
Compassionate, healing touch. We need more of this my brothers and sisters.
Hey.. how about a cuddle party!?
http://www.cuddleparty.com/
We are social animals and NEED touch. It's scientifically proven. Children who are touched a lot thrive more than those who are not.
So don't pass up an opportunity to hug someone or even to just lay a loving hand on someone's shoulder. People respond to touch. It's our first language.
