An extract from ‘Walden – a life in the woods‘ by Henry David Thoreau:
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” By doing these things, men may find happiness and self-fulfillment.” More
I’ve been interested in ‘hand-made’ products for ages, especially wooden stuff. A couple of years ago, I got a pair of wooden plates made by a chap called Tony Wrench (who infamously lives in a hand-built roundhouse in Wales and has been the subject of a lengthy planning battle – but he won! http://www.thatroundhouse.info).
The plates are great – we use them almost every day to eat our dinner off. They stand the test of time and probably look better as they get used and abused. They keep food warmer as they are more insulating than ceramic plates and are very tactile to hold/use. Apart from a twice yearly oiling (I use Walnut Oil), they can take all the abuse you can throw at them – just don’t leave them soaking in water for too long.
About a year ago, though some connection or other, I came across a website for a guy called ‘Robin Wood‘ (no really, that’s his name). He lives in Derbyshire and uses a foot-powered lathe to make wooden plates and bowls. The type that really intrigued me was called a ‘porringer’ – best described as a sort of breakfast or desert bowl with wings! The bowl is turned with an extended lip, most of which is then axed off to leave the ‘wings’ which form perfect handles, meaning you can hold the bowl in one hand on the base and your thumb resting on one of the wings to counter balance it.
The Poringer, hand made by Robin Wood
A porringer became top of my birthday present list, and as you can see above, I love eating my morning porridge from it!
I’m a fan of the video’s produced by PeakMoment on YouTube. They have interviewed loads of interesting people and projects, but the latest one really hit home about the philosophy of extending the environmental and sustainability movement to a broader audience.
They interviewed Alan Seid of Bellingham Co-housing Community (in the USA). You can watch the YouTube video below, under which are some of my highlights.
Alan suggested that the word ’sustainable’ has different meaning to different people. His view is that sustainability is something that would enable man to survive indefinitely, and as such involves looking at the whole environment, but also looking within people and understanding where people are ‘at’.
In order to reach the goal of sustainability, we have to work collectively – creating mutual understanding without coercing people. Human consciousness grows from Ego-Centric to Ethno-Centric to World-Centric (where Ego-Centric is all about ‘me’, Ethno-Centric is about people ‘like me’ and World-Centric is a holistic view of all things and people).
Alan identifies that one of the problems in getting the average person to be aware of sustainability is a psychological one; for example, recycling helps with a small (5-10%) amount of solid waste flow, but helps with 75% of people’s guilt. In other words people feel they have done alot when they haven’t, but telling them this is not easy!
It is therefore important to reach people at the right level to match their own world view. The ‘message’ needs to be framed correctly to match the audience, and in some cases, this means re-framing the same message to target different audiences who are motivated by different factors.
Environmentalists also need to remember that they are not perfect. Everyone needs to be open minded and to learn and progress themselves – it is easy to the ego to take over!
Finally, Alan talks about the importance of information sharing and communication with all interested parties (stakeholders) regarding whatever issue is being discussed.
This evenings sunset over Dorridge Park (around 6:30pm) brought with it some beautiful colours in both the sky and the clouds.
The photo above was taken with a mobile phone camera1 and doesn’t do it justice! The sky was an intense bright turquoise blue and in stark, beautiful contrast to the orange tint on the clouds.
I’m getting a new camera soon and hope to take some great ‘autumn’ photographs.
The sunset below was taken on 14th July 2007 and was over Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire UK.
Click on the image for a larger view.
I bought this wonderful ‘pebble’ made from Oak, with the following message inscribed:
The sky
a tree
and man
will survive
if man
understands
the tree
There’s a powerful message in there.
My dad gave me a copy of the following today…
Magnificent Me
Let me never forget how important I am the Universal picture. Without me there would be blank space where there should be colour.
Let me understand that the challenges of life are just that, not battles. I am not out there to win or lose, only to develop my skills as an ongoing student in an omnipotent school.
Let me understand that the differences between people are one of the wondrous realities of an infinite Universe. Giving those differences space to be, is far more important that comparing them to my set of beliefs.
Let me be proud of what I do. To whatever my hand touches, let me remind myself that it was my effort that added to the result. Perfection is not my goal. Creativity is.
Let me remind myself that most of what I take seriously about myself also qualifies for a good laugh.
Let me remember to be kind to myself. Loving companions are one of life’s treats, but they are not responsible for my care. Self kindness can heal almost any hurt.
Let me take responsibility as a gift, not a burden. Within that effort is the greatest sense of accomplishment I could achieve.
Let me be patient with life. Nature does not produce the flower before the roots have taken hold.
If I recognize that the place I’m in is the right place at the right time, it will always be the right place at the right time.
Anonymous
Today is the Autumn Equinox (the precise equinox time is around 4am GMT), when the length of day and night are equal – we are at the exact middle point between the longest day (summer equinox) and the longest night (winter equinox). In ancient times it was also known as Mabon (pronounced may-bon) and has been traditionally associated with celebrating the harvest, giving thanks for all that has been provided through the year, and making preparations for the winter.
It is also a good time to mentally release the past and move forward, a good time for space clearing – throw away unwanted things which are no longer relevant and make your ’space’ clean and tidy.
The energy of trees is now changing as they start to shed their leaves and move the goodness down to the roots and into the earth.
Much of the above information was sourced from an excellent book called ‘Sacred Celebrations’ by Glennie Kindred. Click the book image below to buy from Amazon.co.uk
St. Nectans Glen, Cornwall, UK. Photo taken by Martin © 2006
When the water flows smoothly on the surface,
you don’t notice the undercurrents.
But what’s going on underneath cannot be ignored.
As you go over the edge of the waterfall, chaos is all around.
What was deep within is thrown outwards, upwards,
downwards and inwards.
The good is mixed with the bad, the happy with the sad,
contentment with fear.
And then stillness. Calm is around, and although bruised
from the experience, this will all heal.
Now you realise what you are about. You have been
exposed to your complete self and can now choose the parts
to keep and the parts to set free.
The waterfall of your life is great cleanser.
Let you life flow onwards.
© Martin Doyle. 2nd April 2006
Here’s another great quote I came across today:
We must become the change we want to see.
- Gandhi
Definately thought (and action) provoking.
