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Please give : Haiti earthquake appeals

A. Simplicity — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:23:22 +0000

I apologise for my absence here over the last month. Due to other commitments I feel I am unable to dedicate enough time to writing; I hope to be back on track come February if not sooner.

In the meantime please consider those in need; and if you haven’t already done so, please give what you can to help those in Haiti.

There are wonderful aid organisations on the ground now working to save lives and help and protect all of those devastated by this tragedy. Please consider that collectively we can make a big difference by supporting these organisations in the invaluable work.

Please visit one of the following to find out more and to learn how you can help.

Unicef
World Vision
Oxfam

“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

5 Ways we all can Speak Out against Poverty and Stand Up against Greed!

The challenge to change ourselves…

A. Simplicity — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 23:27:53 +0000

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” ~Victor Frankl

There are many times in our lives when we feel helpless; when we feel as though we are powerless to challenge the way things are. Situations big and small can be hard to confront and overcome, but we are, in the face of this, always able to change ourselves.

As we enter 2010, a decade into the “new millennium”, we are faced with so many challenges as a human race, as a world; as a planet. Current situations seem insurmountable and despite the want for change it seems there is still so much that can be done.

We are now, more than ever, aware of the impact we have on the world around us. The world has become smaller and our actions and in-actions have far-reaching effects on all people of the earth.

The politicians and nations in power are struggling to agree, to meet on common ground, to ’solve’ the issues that we as a human race face. Poverty, pollution, environmental destruction, greed and unsustainable development are the reality of our current world situation.

Many of us do not consider the true state of the world around us, because many of us still live a privileged, wonderful life filled with hope and abundance. And there is the sense we are powerless to make a difference.

When we see our politicians and world leaders fail to make sustainable and effective change, when, despite public support, measures to end poverty and environmental destruction fall short of the hope and good intention; it can be disheartening.

Yet, as Victor Frankl states, if we cannot change the situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. We would love things to be better but it can be so difficult to give up the things in life we covert, to change our ways so that others may benefit and may share in our wealth.

In reality we cannot expect things to change if we ourselves will not change.

Life is filled with opportunity to make small changes that make a big difference, in our own lives and the lives of others. We will keep travelling down this path, where the greedy and wealthy take advantage of the vulnerable and poor, unless we ourselves change.

The situation as it stands is a result of human enterprise, human nature; and the world is a wonderful place; it is up to each of us to ensure all people have the same freedom and opportunity and hope as you and I.

If we take the challenge to change ourselves, to look at the impact of our choices and take responsibility for the consequences of our actions; we can make a difference. If there are things in the world that you are concerned about, that you would like to see change; look first to yourself and see what effect your actions have on the world and those around you.

Through our power to change our own future we can hope to change the future of all people.

“Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.” ~Pauline R. Kezer

Vegetarianism and Choice

A. Simplicity — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:25:29 +0000

“Vegetarianism isn’t about fanatical personal purity, it’s about having some perspective. Move at your own pace; no one’s keeping score. Vegetarianism isn’t about scarcity, it’s about abundance. It’s not about restriction, it’s about liberation. Not about what we’re against but what we’re for; not for some far-off time but for right now. For me going vegetarian is less about becoming something and more about being true to ourselves.” ~Michael Gregor MD

I have truly been heartened by the press coverage and discussion in social media lately about vegetarianism and veganism. Vegetarianism is slowly filtering out into the popular consciousness and this has given me great hope, that perhaps we will as a society, start to pull down the walls that see people discounting the facts behind industrial farming and the slaughterhouse industry.

Much of society does not see the consumption of meat as an act of animal cruelty. Many countries have strict laws forbidding cruelty to animals and most people condemn acts of animal cruelty yet, the mass slaughter of animals is abdicated and supported by a majority of the public.

There is no way to absolve the actions of slaughterhouses, they are cruel and inhumane. The fear, suffering and ultimate death experienced by these sentient creatures, who feel pain, who feel fear and who suffer is not something you or I or anyone should accept.

We need to work towards true education, understanding and compassion bring about discussion and provide opportunity and support for change. As Michael Gregor says Vegetarianism is not fanatical, it is for you and me and for everyone. It is not unrealistic, unhealthy, or unattainable.

We have been lead to believe that we need to eat meat, that it is ok and that the suffering and death inflicted on animals is acceptable if conducted behind closed slaughterhouse doors. Yet so much can be gained from learning more about the way these animals are kept and slaughtered and that a healthy and delicious diet can be achieved without the consumption of meat.

Perspective and understanding of the true consequences is so important in making any decision. I believe that many of us simply do not truly consider the facts, do not consider the alternatives simply because as a society eating meat is the norm and there is not enough education and support to inspire change.

Yet, there are great websites and books and information available for anyone who would like to learn a little more about becoming a vegetarian and why. I don’t believe sensationalism and graphic images are a real way to inspire people to change and hope that the following sites may be helpful to anyone looking for a little more solid information and support on the issue.

You can check out the small article here or any of the following sites and I hope to provide further information on Small Simple Life soon.

Vegetarian Society
Australian Vegetarian Society
Animals Australia

It seems I have been breaking out the soap box a little this week : ) but with an aim to inspire positive action and discussion and thought. There are so many things we as individuals can do to have a positive effect on our own lives and the lives of all others.

It can be hard to step back and look at things in a different light sometimes and we each have our own opinions and beliefs that need to be respected. Each of us has the power to make choices that reflect true understanding and compassion and these small actions are what make the difference in our own lives and the lives of others.

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” ~William James

5 Ways we all can Speak Out against Poverty and Stand Up against Greed!

A. Simplicity — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:50:48 +0000

“The poverty of our century is unlike that of any other. It is not, as poverty was before, the result of natural scarcity, but of a set of priorities imposed upon the rest of the world by the rich. Consequently, the modern poor are not pitied…but written off as trash. The twentieth-century consumer economy has produced the first culture for which a beggar is a reminder of nothing.”
~John Berger

With Christmas approaching there is not a better time to consider those on the earth who are in need; those who are faced with insurmountable poverty, starvation, disease and strife. Now more than ever our world is a place where so many millions of people are faced each day with the stark reality of poverty. Where they cannot earn a living off their own land, where they are trodden down by exploitation, government policy or warmongering, where greed has stolen their lively hood and their lives.

Nearly half of the world’s population lives on less than US$2 a day.
1 billion people live in abject poverty on less that US$1 a day.
50,000 people die from poverty-related causes every day.
Every three seconds a child dies from poverty-related causes.
800 million people go to bed hungry every night.

Source Make Poverty History

These are staggering statistics, but so often these numbers do little to compel us to action. There is a sense of hopelessness for many of us lucky ones, other than donating to aid organisations how can we have a positive effect on the lives of these people? How, can we, in developed countries make a difference to the poverty that exists around the world?

First we need to acknowledge the role of greed, the greed of governing bodies, organisations and corporations; the people who have the power to inflate markets and steal land and resources and exploit people and nations for money. And then we need to acknowledge that we play a role in this by buying into the products offered by these greedy manufacturers.

While governments on the one hand are giving aid to developing countries they are with the other taking away their lively hood. Through farming subsidies, trade injustice and no true governance to protect those affected by exploitation.

I know this is a very complex and multisided argument and that our very world economy is built on this kind of infrastructure; but there are ways you and I can make positive choices that opt out, to some degree, of this greedy and exploitive doctrine.

There is hope for all people of the world and it starts with freedom and equal rights and a true desire for all nations to work together for the benefit of all people not just the rich and powerful.

When governments and corporations are making gross profits, someone, somewhere has paid the price and sometimes it is the ultimate price. The loss of their livelihood, their home or even their child; these are the costs of poverty.

So how can we have some small positive effect on the lives of others and support communities and manufactures who are working towards sustainable and workable solutions to poverty?

Buy Fair Trade

Fairly traded and certified Fairtrade products are becoming more readily available in many countries and are a great way we as consumers can support small farmers and communities by putting our money into sustainable and ethical farming and manufacturing process. Fair trade protects farmers and manufacturers by paying a fair price for their product, promoting better working conditions and better equipping small producers and communities to take control of their own future.

By purchasing fair trade products we are not putting money into the pockets of companies who have a monopoly and who often economically disadvantage producers to make big profits. Keep an eye out for fair-trade certified coffee, tea, chocolate, dried fruit, honey, nuts, oil, rice and sugar. To learn more about Fair Trade have a read of the article here.

Buy Union Made

Our shopping centres and malls are filled to the brim with cheap but also overpriced luxury consumer items and many of these are made in some of the poorest countries where many workers are exploited to turn big profits. Although you may think it is cheaper to live in developing countries it still does not give the manufacturing corporations the right to pay their workers less than a living wage and demanding unethical working conditions. Many of these workers are denied the right to form unions which means they have no power to defend their rights and work towards resolving many of the exploitive conditions under which they work.

It can be difficult to find out exactly under what conditions many of our consumer products have been manufactured and there is still not a lot of endorsement for union made products. However they are becoming available especially in clothing and foot ware. Keep an eye out for Union Made, reconsider buying cheap, throw away items, buy pre-loved or research companies online. For more information check out the article here.

Support our own communities

When we support our own community and purchase products and services provided by small, local manufacturers we are not only having a positive and sustaining impact on our communities but avoid supporting big manufacturers and corporations who may be exploiting people and communities for profit.

Think local and always consider buying locally produced, farmed or manufactured goods over mass produced items. By visiting local markets and fairs, supporting local business and restaurants and encouraging our supermarkets to stock more locally produced products we can start to promote and sustain our own community over the wealth and greed of big corporations. This in turn provides growth and economic stability for the people in our own communities and gives back to small scale producers and families.

Support Aid Organisations

There are many wonderful aid organisations that are performing a service to all mankind by working with people and governments to ease the suffering and support the freedom and rights of people who live in poverty around the world. Many of these organisations are working with the people to promote a sustaining livelihood and helping communities to work together. Without the support of aid many millions more would die each year of starvation and disease. Consider donating time or money or organising or participating in a fund raiser to help these organisations to continue their crucial work.

Speak Out

Nearly all of us are aware of the poverty that exists around the world but how many of us talk about it. We see it and hear about it on the television but it is rarely discussed. Is this because we feel so helpless?

But we as consumers play a very big and fundamental role to the survival of greedy and unethical practices. We can, through voicing our concern and demanding equal rights, better working conditions, fair trade and an end to exploitation, let these greedy “big guns” know how we feel and that we will speak out with our voice and with our dollar.

Start talking about poverty within your own community, talk to your friends and family, talk to your supermarkets and manufactures, your local government and your governmental leaders. We need to speak out against poverty and support those who are taking steps to work towards a better future for all people.

Send emails or letters to manufactures to find out where they stand on human rights and working conditions. Write to your government leaders and ask them how they are helping to work towards a sustainable and better future for developing countries and people living in poverty.

Oxfam is a great organisation that provides help and support for communities and people. They also provide great information and guidelines for contacting manufactures and government agencies. You can visit their site here.

This Christmas and always consider the things you can do to reduce the impact of greed on all people and communities. We can make a difference by supporting those who are creating real opportunities and offering true sustainable and workable solutions to help end the grip of poverty on so many people and places around the world.

Poverty is more than ever a result of our wasteful and greedy lifestyle; we need to reassess our choices and make ones that reflect a true desire to no longer support greed and exploitation.

Where we can we should choose to make a difference by supporting fair trade, union made, local produce and aid organisations. And speak out against poverty it is up to all of us to work towards better future for all people.

For more information visit Make Poverty History

Carbon is a real problem but is it the only one? : addressing positive change for the future

A. Simplicity — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:11:55 +0000

I just watched Annie Leonard’s “The Story of Cap & Trade” and am thankful for the growing public voice questioning the emissions trading scheme. There is so much talk about Copenhagen right now it is a fantastic opportunity to ignite people into real change for the better.

I’m certainly not an expert, a scientist or authority on the subject and am maybe a little cynical and too opinionated but I can’t help feel that so much of the hype about climate change and emissions trading is almost detrimental to generating a real groundswell for positive change and I have spoken on this before specifically in Discovering the Heart of our Environmental Conscience.

Is it not a little scary that we have been prompted to be so fearful of climate change and are now jumping to adopt a scheme that is meant to avoid the crisis but could see certain people making big profits?

I understand that emissions’ trading scheme is being considered as a way to reduce carbon in the atmosphere and this is a good thing. I simply wish we would hear more about other ways of reducing our environmental impact as well.

Like governments and big companies investing in clean energy, renewable resources, recycled materials and a reduction in consumption and dirty manufacturing process. Or conservation of natural habitats, sustainable farming and building methods, there are so many things that we all can do to reduce the effects of pollution and waste on our planet. There is more to our “environmental crisis” than just carbon.

And we do hear about these positive measures, yet I am fearful of emissions trading being branded around as a cure all for the scary threat of Climate Change and that we are forgetting about everything else.

Climate change or not we need to reduce the negative impact our modern lifestyle is having on the planet and people. There are no grand solutions that mean we can continue to live as we do and someone else will ‘fix the problem’. It all comes down to the individual; it is within our power to make choices and there are simple things each of us can do that can reduce our waste, our reliance on chemicals, our consumption and energy use.

All of us have a real opportunity to live a simpler, more environmentally conscious life, that takes into account the effect our modern lifestyle has on the planet and the people of the earth.

I understand that we need big solutions to energy and waste and that these need to come from our governments. But the governments are there to represent us, the people, we need to stand up and ask questions, fight for cleaner energy and demand a true environmental conscience in policies and practices.

We, the people, are driving this polluting energy consumption machine and we are the ones that can slow it down.

There is a growing community of people around the world stepping back and developing a new, slower pace of living and adopting simple new habits and practices that can have a real positive effect on our own lives and the lives of all others.

We need to believe we can make a difference no matter how small. The life of the planet, the conservation of natural habitats and the right of all people to live a sustainable, happy, healthy and free existence is so very important. Carbon is a real problem but is it the only one?

Can we make a difference by adopting a simpler lifestyle? How do you feel about Climate Change and Carbon Emissions Trading? Am I being narrow minded or unrealistic? What do you think of “The Story of Cap & Trade?

This is a heated topic so I would love to hear your thoughts?

You can watch Annie Leonard’s “The Story of Cap & Trade” below or visit the site here for further information:

Animals Australia launch TV ad campaign!

A. Simplicity — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:54:54 +0000

Something new has appeared on our televisions here in New Zealand and also in Australia; a TV advertisement campaigning against the inhumane cruelty of factory farming and the animal agriculture industry. I first saw the TV spot online a few days ago and tonight I saw it for the first time on National television.

As a vegetarian for over 10 years I am hearten to see the largely silent plight of factory farmed animals voiced in prime-time media. It is not often that these issues are raised in the popular consciousness and I welcome these TV spots as a way to encourage all people to acknowledge the truth and to reconsider their options.

I would like to know how others feel about the campaign:

Are people aware already of the cruel and inhumane practices of factory farming?
Do you think the campaign will make a difference?
How do you feel about vegetarianism or factory farming?
Is the campaign offensive or sensationalism in your view?

If we care about all animals and their right to a life free of pain and suffering is this not enough to consider becoming vegetarian?

You can check out the ad campaign below or visit Animals Australia for more information.

Help End Factory-Farming at AnimalsAustralia.org

New article on waste and biodegradable materials

A. Simplicity — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:46:38 +0000

Check out Small Simple Life’s latest article, Waste and sustainability : Biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials to learn simple ways we can improve our method of waste disposal!

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New Article on Biodiversity

A. Simplicity — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:16:18 +0000

Check out Small Simple Life’s latest article, Biodiversity: the necessity of abundant life and learn more about the importance of Ecological Biodiversity and simple ways we can help to reduce our negative environmental impact!

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It’s Time to Stand Up Against Poverty and Inequality

A. Simplicity — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:25:28 +0000

Its’ time to stand up and take action against world poverty now!! This weekend, 16th – 18th October, add your voice to the call and unite with millions of people around the world. It’s up to us to make sure world leaders follow through on the commitments made in the 2000 to end poverty by 2015.

Join the global campaign to ‘Stand Up’ and take action against Poverty and Inequality.

Connect with your fellow humans on a global scale and let it be known that we care, we know and that we want an end to poverty and inequality. Change can be achieved!!!

To find out more you can read my post here or visit one of the following websites!!!

Stand Against Poverty
End Poverty 2015 Millennium Campaign
Global Call to Action Against Poverty
Make Poverty History

Want to be heard, sign up now using the form below!!!

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Discovering the Heart of our Environmental Conscience : Blog Action Day

A. Simplicity — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:20:28 +0000

The world is becoming increasingly environmentally conscious; politically and socially. We hear about it in the media, our communities, schools, work place and homes. The threat of Climate Change and Global Warming is a call to arms, for all of us to take notice of how our modern life and consumer lifestyle is having a very real and negative impact on the earth.

But, it is concerning that these terms are branded about almost as a fear incentive. Society is being scared into taking action; our shift towards environmental consciousness is based on fear instead of a true desire to live lightly, quietly and in harmony with the earth.

Much of the reason why the earth is in such a dire state could be based on the way we as a society have over the years detached ourselves from the living world and viewed nature as simply something we could control for our own needs. Unfortunately I feel ‘Climate Change’ is not only a consequence of this view but also a product.

We should not base our desire to ’save the earth’ on fear, fear of rising sea levels, drought, food shortage, extreme weather and so on.

We need positive reinforcement and a will to live sustainably for the benefit and survival of all people and the natural living world.

Global Warming may be very real; and in addition to or regardless of this troubling phenomenon the earth and many of its inhabitants are in real jeopardy.

Our consumer lifestyle and all its baggage is simply not sustainable. The way we live in the modern world is causing wide spread environmental degradation through pollution of our waterways, air and soil, deforestation and habitat destruction and our reliance on non-renewable energy resources. The fact that these effects are now widely known by society and that action is being taken to improve the way we live is a fantastic, timely and important global movement.

Anything that reminds us of the environmental impacts of our lifestyle is a welcome factor in the shift towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious society.

But can we not look towards the earth, towards nature our health and wellbeing and base our environmental actions not on fear but on a desire to protect the earth, to live sustainably and in harmony. As a society we need to reconnect with the living world, take time to appreciate the remarkable, wonderful and amazing place we tend to take for granted.

I can see the rise of awareness taking place already and while Climate Change, Global Warming, Eco-friendly, Green Living exist in the media and in our minds it helps to remind us each day of the things we can do to help reduce our impact on the earth.

This Blog Action Day and everyday, we should encourage all those we know to spend a little more time with the earth, get to know what she has to offer not as raw materials, produce and energy but just as she is. In those quiet places where we can sit and take in all the love, beauty and oneness she has to offer.

As a new positive action against Climate Change; visit a park, nature reserve, beach or garden instead of a shopping centre or mall this weekend. Choose to spend time with nature instead of spending money.

Reconnect with the living world and discover so many reasons why a sustainable, environmentally conscious lifestyle is important and necessary for all of us.