#11: The courage to take a stand
Good morning,
As you read this, a part of me will be on a train heading to ‘The Big One’.
For those of you who have no idea what ‘The Big One’ is, it’s a multi-organisational non-violent climate protest - the largest of its kind to take place in London.
The part of me that would be on that train, is also the part of me that would be armed only with words, hoping to join the many other words to go on display in Tufton Street today.
Except I can’t go. I have responsibilities.
Also, as central London is no longer just a hop, skip and a jump away (which is, largely, a good thing), it means travel times (and costs!) are a huge part of the equation.
But it’s okay.
I am not begrudging of any of it. It is the way it is. It’s just I can’t help but feel I should be there.
As privileged and grateful as I am for my responsibilities, the other part of me—the part that’s sitting on the train—feels I should be trying to do something, more things, to help our planet. Our home.
And I don’t just mean by upping my game when it comes to the more eco-friendly lifestyle choices that I know I could do more of and I know which all add up and make a difference.
I mean on the larger scale. I mean the energy industries. Oil. Gas. Fossil fuels. As well as the puppet masters, those in power, those who could do so much more to change our culture from the top down.
I feel, now, more than ever, the urge to help the cause. Not from a place of fear, but from a space of hope.
Because my children are incredible and they offer me constant reminders of what is most important. And, surprise surprise, it’s not any of the things that the mainstream would have us believe.
By coming together, peacefully, maybe we can show that we care - that this is increasingly important, and that the status quo is no longer tolerable. Or, in our case, the status quo is unsustainable. Let alone truly desirable in the first place.
By coming together, we demonstrate that we are aware, not just of the problems, but, more importantly, of the possible solutions. And we can feel confident in demanding the implementation of policies that support the exploration of these solutions.
But life is so distracting, isn’t it?
Now, please know, I’m not bashing the technology that I am so fortunate to benefit from, and neither am I belittling the advances in society that charm my existence. But I’d like to protect many aspects of this life and the relative security in which we live.
But, also, there’s no doubt that there has to be another way, or ways, that we can do this thing called “modern life”, without threatening the natural world.
With so much potential at our disposal, and with so many amazing people already doing incredible things, inspiring things - courageous things - showing us the alternatives that could unbind us… well, anything is possible.
But, sadly, it appears that if we don’t ask, then we will not get.
Encouraged by climate activists who have told me, insisted even, that doing what I can, is enough. More than enough. I’ve decided to take this message on board, and this issue, I have decided, is my offering to the cause.
All of this has made me think just how easily we can discount what we can do as not enough. I know, we live in a culture that has trained us to feel inadequate. But, I think - and I know I’m not alone here - when we feel that what we do isn’t making a difference, or that there’s no hope, then there’s an increased likelihood that we’ll just switch off.
And so we go back to disengaging with the topic, often unconsciously (something that is all too easy to do). We loose ourselves in the many dramas of our lives. In our real-life demands. Our responsibilities.
But, believe me, if all you have time for in your busy day is to think, for just a moment, about the power of coming together, and reflect upon the ways that so many people are doing astounding things, brave and original things, to wake us all up, and if you can feel even just a tiny bit of hope because of it, and, then, if you can, maybe—just maybe—consider the things that you can do, that would be truly great!
The ripples of your thoughts will spread far and wide.
Because we all can do something, on the local, individual level.
Whether it’s trying something you haven’t done before, or, like me, reminding yourself not to slip back into unconscious behaviours that are harmful to the planet. And not beating yourself up about it, either, but just saying, “Oh yeah, I will do that again/try this from now on”, it could make a huge difference.
Take my own choices as a gauge here.
So I am a second-hand fan. I always have been. For as long as I can remember, I have frequented second-hand shops with my mum and nan, and about 15 years ago, I volunteered at my local Oxfam. Putting together their window displays, helping with the visual merchandising.
At the time, I just thought it was cool and I enjoyed the randomness of putting together ensembles out of what was available in the shop. In hindsight, though, I think it was a way to offset our culture’s focus on intense consumption. Something that, at the time, I was also playing a part in creating.
You see, during my twenties, I worked in the creative industries. Quite often in the fashion world, helping to create the powerful images that encourage us to go out and buy/wear the latest trends, and then, weeks later, go and get a load more clothes.
Granted, there are now some changes happening in the industry, but, back then, from an ethical point of view, it was pretty bad. If you’re interested in fashion’s impact on climate change, please check out the new film Fashion Reimagined. All about Amy Powney and her design work.
As well as Oxfam, whenever I was the lead creative on my own shoots, where possible, I would incorporate second-hand clothes. Deemed an odd thing to do then. This was way before it was a ‘thing’.
Why? Well, you can’t shift tons of something you found in a second-hand shop. You can’t write about it, you can’t photograph it, and promote it and expect to make thousands of repeat sales. The sales and the advertising being what supports the fashion industry.
Personally, the commercial side of fashion is, I believe, completely unnecessary. It is entirely unsustainable. Even with the label of it being ‘sustainable’, I’m not sure how it is, and I guess it’s all just another marketing ploy—green-washing—and so, rather pointless. But it’s getting others to question it, isn’t it? As fashion has become quite the beast, and our egos are wrapped-up and invested in what we wear, and we’re addicted to consuming.
However, the creative side of fashion, the art and the expression, is incredible. It is also, I believe, very important. In fact, art is crucial. And the artistic element is a completely different aspect to the money side of it all.
What is needed, really, is an overhaul of what the meaning of ‘fashion’ is, separating the artistic from the commercial. Redefining the whole thing. It may be wishful thinking, but it has to happen.
In the end, I left that part of the industry, deciding to focus on wellbeing publishing, and then, also, to raise my children.
Anyway, for years now, I try to minimise what we buy in our house, and, whenever possible, I try to buy second-hand.
But, with growing children, it is not always possible. And I know myself how easily I get sucked in to believing that I need that new top or that trendy pair of trainers.
When I don’t. I really, really do not.
So, we go to the shops in search of what I cannot find for my kids (or myself) elsewhere, and then, bang! I have to be really disciplined. Because I can feel the luring pull of the shops, and their ridiculously expensive adverts that try to convince me that I. Need. It. When, as we’ve already worked out, I don’t.
Anyway, in the situations where I have given in, I’ve found that I’ve been immediately confronted with a choice. (And please know that I’m not beating myself up or anything over it. I’m merely attempting to show how easily we can slip, and then the world takes over and normalises it - plus it’s far easier and cheaper to make these types of decisions, more than its ever been in history - so I know the odds are stacked against me), anyway, I can, in this situation, do one of two things.
I can give up and just not care. Thinking: ‘it’s no use’, ‘what’s the point’, ‘it doesn’t matter’, or I could just say, “oh well, I will try again tomorrow.”
It’s simple, but sometimes hard to remember. Behaviours can become so automatic and unconscious, and the big corporations know this. Half of the time we’re on auto-pilot. But we can always change that. At any point. It is never too late.
I hope this example is useful. If it isn’t, please change it to anything that relates to you and the things that you can do, are already doing, to try and help the planet, but that, perhaps, you sometimes slip at. The things we do imperfectly. And give yourself a break.
It could be related to anything: moving towards eating a more ‘sustainable’ diet; recycling; reusing plastics; community clean-ups; campaigning in your local area… whatever it is, noticing how, at times you may waver, and acknowledge the ways that big business makes this more challenging that it needs to be.
And question it. For yourself. Question the status quo.
So, if, like me, you can’t be at The Big One today, in person, please know that even just talking about it with somebody else, may mean that you both buy less than you need today and possibly even tomorrow as well.
Or perhaps you’ll consciously choose the more eco-friendly product or activity over the lesser one, when you are next able to.
And, maybe, with a little more conscious thought, you’ll consider the climate more seriously the next time there is an opportunity to vote for those who will govern this country.
And you’ll, no doubt, do it all imperfectly, but that’s all it takes.
We’re doing something and it feels good and we are able to build upon it from there.
It’s like this with our practices, yoga and meditation, of course, but with anything we do, or practice.
We can be quite all-or-nothing about it. I know I can.
But, really, it’s the moment-to-moment act of showing up and being present that matters most.
Not what we did (or didn’t do) yesterday or what we may have planned for tomorrow.
It’s this moment that matters.
This moment. Right. Now.
Being connected to ourselves and responding to the world from our hearts, and not our heads. Our heads get too easily distracted. Our hearts rarely do.
So, when we’re not in union with ourselves, when we are distracted and caught up in the noise of modern life - when we’re not in the state of yoga - we are less inclined to think about the impact of our decisions.
Whereas when we take the time to slow down, reconnect and remember what’s most important, we know. We don’t need telling.
We know we are nature. Not something separate. We know we are powerful beings and that we can do amazing things. We know that we don’t need any of the stuff that they say we do.
We know that we are all connected. That we are a part of a larger whole. That we are one.
And we know, that even though our bodies may be in one place, doing one thing - carrying out our responsibilities, that our souls can be somewhere else. That we can be somewhere in spirit. We can be on the train and on the march.
And that’s the power of such a mindset. Staying fluid and not seeing things as all-or-nothing, is a truly powerful and beautiful thing.
The things you can do
are not tiny,
meaningless,
or insignificant.
They are powerful.
Your thoughts,
your words,
the way you walk,
your smile,
the things you choose to buy,
the things you choose to covet…
they all add up.
They count.
Be courageous
and know
that what you do,
whatever it is you can
only
do,
matters.
Wishing you all a peaceful week, and with Earth Day tomorrow (22nd April) may your reflections be hopeful, and may your actions be kind.
With love,
Louisa
x
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth, finds reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” Rachel Carson, conservationist.