It all starts within... (continued)

In my last blog on 17 May I suggested that any real change must start within ourselves. For real change to be effected - four factors need to be present and interact with each other at the same time. These are;

Courage, Commitment, Passion and a Plan (or C2P2)

The point at which we decide to commit is interesting in itself. Often it can take a long time for these four factors to come together, especially when we are out of flow, dissatisfied, frustrated and desperately want to change but lack a plan, or have a plan but lack courage.

Another point of commitment can come through experiencing or recognising unexpected synchronicity, unexpected and unrelated events which we see as being harbingers of a new path.

As I mentioned in my 17 May blog my own work (which I have valued greatly), has brought me to the point where I feel the need for the magic of the "and". There is a big scale crises global crises on its way and because of the way we (and our leaders) deal with time (few are really comfortable to act with conviction on long term scenarios or create personal scenarios) we may only wake up when it may be too late. For many species and for some landscapes, it is already too late.

So my C2P boils down to having the factors for wanting change, minus the plan. How can I influence people when I am no example myself? Materialism is no answer, the junk piles up, what was wanted, is tossed aside while we are urged to get something newer, better, shiner. None of this brings a sense of real flow, belonging or allows for deep valuing.

I would like to do what Becca does in my book, influence values at the individual level, make a real difference, help people to Make their Move.

Well, synchronicity played a part. Sue Maher, who lives down the road from me was made redundant and decided on a new career; setting up an urban garden. A planned undertaking, with chooks, vegetables, fruit and recycling.

I say this urban transformation taking place and decided to pop in for a chat. Wow, she was inspirational! She started this garden six months ago and they now have quality organic food, at home. And three beds produce all she needs and there are another eight waiting....

She plans on extending the garden, sell her produce in the 'hood and has a vision of local people adopting one of the beds and growing their own food, with her help if required, which they take home and she takes a small percentage of product. A social hub aimed at sustainability in an urban setting.

I professed I have no green in fingers but when she agreed to involve me and others in the neighbourhood in preparing the other six beds I jumped at the learning opportunity. So, I am going to buy three beds, ($80 apiece) and as she prepare her beds, I will do the same at home.

I think sustainability starts at the point when we realise we need to do something more then change our light globes. So, that is my decision point. When I come back from my CO2 emitting jet trip to the UK, I will do repentance by growing my own food at in least in part!!

Well done Sue, an inspiration. What other stories are there like this?

I can now start to see a plan unfolding!!

It starts inside

We all profess concern about sustainability.

I read Paul Gilding's book on "The Great Disruption" and am alarmed and horrified by what I feel to be true. We are heading towards a human "collapse" and our limits of growth are well and truly breached.

I read that my return flight from Australia to the UK will produce 5.2 tons of greenhouse emissions per passenger. Per passenger.

I read that Apple and Boeing were rated in 2008 amongst the top environmental polluters in the USA.
I read... well, I could go on.

But I won't. You get the idea. I cringe. I am a contributor to the problem. Probably like you? We have three teenage kids, multiple desktop computers, iPads, notebooks, ads, TVs, three cars, but we are even worse - we don't earn a living in our home town, we fly to clients or; congratulate ourselves because we use Skype for meetings and business...

And some of our clients are busting guts on how to grow their busienss so in the process they can use more resources and add to global emissions and waste....

I live on a beautiful island that is green in name only (image above). It's very shaky government has no long term vision of what it is or what it wants to become. Only 30% of the people are self employed - the rest rely on state or federal government for their main source of income. There is no sense of urgency to build a real vision for the island with its half a million inhabitants either. It is lost in detail. A shop owner can't operate his business until the City Council approves repair plans to his damaged building, yet it it fusses over attractive red awnings hung on a dull street.

I am going on a bit of a pilgrimage soon; a chance to think and maybe even reset my own values and personal purpose. Lately I have found myself thinking that the real change people talk about desiring; either from a professed concern for sustainability (but no one wants a carbon tax), being dissatisfied, lonely, out of flow and despite having all the material wealth (and we never have enough) has to starts from within.

No government or council will do it for you. In fact I doubt anyone will be able to change the hugely complex and interrelated systems we have created. I am not sure Paul Gilding is right, that one day we will suddenly be galvanised into a war footing.

No, I think the change has to start within. At a local community level. Between neighour on a street. It has to I think starts with us seriously questioning our choices and deciding we have Enough. In fact I have written a fictitious story about this, which has really caused me to start thinking about what Enough could mean.