Plant your own vegetable garden

There's got to be a lot of good reasons to plant your own vegetable garden, but as we were weeding and digging and playing in the dirt (Ella the 1 1/2 year old did most of the latter) here are a few I thought of. 

1. The sense of accomplishment. And that's just from clearing the space and burying a few seeds in rows. Imagine how it will feel if those seeds actually produce something!

2. Getting up close and personal with your produce. Learning about where food comes from is not just a good thing for kids to see, but for all of us. We can be so detached from the things we just buy in a shop. The closer you get to the origin of things, the more you appreciate their presence in your life. 

Ella certainly got up close and personal with some dirt. I'm sure she appreciates its presence in her life. 

3. Seasonal eating. If you grow it yourself you are forced to eat it in season, because that's when it grows. And if you're like me, seasonal eating can seem like a riddle wrapped in an enigma, since everything is available all the time it seems in supermarkets. You lose touch with the natural order of things. When you get used to when things actually grow in your own garden, it becomes much easier. 

Now that's all supposing these rows of dirt turn into edible things in the next 8-12 weeks... I'm no green thumb so we'll see what happens! But that leads to the last point. 

4. Slow food. Growing your own food is not a quick process. The earliest we will see any fruits of our labour, so to speak, and be able to harvest something and eat it, is mid September. The rest, not until October. That's not fast food. And I'm ashamed to say I was actually quite shocked that it took that long! Shows how out of touch I am. You do resow regularly, however, so once it's established you'll get an ongoing, rolling harvest. But that initial patience and ongoing labour can only be a good thing in a world of plastic packets and 2 minute noodles. 

Grow little spring onions, grow. We'll be making summer salads out of you, yet. 

There are many other benefits too, like cost, family 'togetherness', healthy eating - they all add a richness to life, a connectedness. 

And that's the bottom line - doing things that create a purposeful, ethical and just way of living that brings a bit of balance and peace to our crazy world. 

If you don't have space in your own garden to plant veges, you could start by simply growing some herbs or tomatoes in a pot. Or find out if there's a community garden nearby you can be involved. 

Do you grow your own veges? (Any tips for me?!) And what other benefits do you see?

Link: A Guide to Living With Less

It seems to be a growing trend, this idea of living with less, living more simply, from tiny one-roomed homes to one-bag travel to just decluttering lives and minds.


But it can be a frightening thought - a sort of fear clutches you when you think about it... 'But what if I need it? What if I miss out?'

But we are still aware of an excess in our lives that makes us at least vaguely uncomfortable. So if you have ever wondered if you could - or should - do with less, whether it is possible or practical or whether it would actually be beneficial, this article from Relevant (link at the end) has some realistic ideas to start trying it.

"Living with less is not about going without. It’s about having only what is essential and eliminating the excess. A simple life is one with fewer material possessions and, often, more meaning."

After recently downsizing from a double-storey house to a two-bedroom unit - and leaving most of possessions behind - I can say from personal experience that you probably don't need most of the stuff you own. But also that it is very easy to start acquiring it all back again.

As the article says, "Simplicity isn’t just about owning less, it’s about wanting less." 

And that's the harder battle I think. But it's a valuable one, and if we can do it - if we can disconnect from the perceived 'need' to have and acquire and the fear that lurks behind it - not only might we be happier in ourselves, but I think we would start to see our outlook on the rest of the world change too. 

It is a lot easier to be generous when you aren't so attached to your own needs and wants.

Read the full article here, and come back and tell me what you think. Will you try anything?

What is justice?

When Girl Talk first went up, I asked people to fill in a survey so I could get people's opinions - about women, and about justice. 

One of the questions I asked was simply, What is justice?

I was interested to hear how others would define it. I'd never actually thought that specifically about what justice means. It vaguely conjures thoughts of fairness, of doing right by people, or of deserved consequences for wrong doing. But specifically, in practice, in action, carried out not just by a judge in a courtroom, what is justice for us?

It's one of those words that gets bandied about a lot these days. Social justice, especially, is the trendy thing. Though it seems to be more of an image than a concrete action.

Throw on some hipster jeans, drink fair trade coffee and frown condescendingly at anyone who doesn't look appropriately ashamed of being the 1%. That's doing Social Justice, right?

Ironically this 'movement' that has sprung up in response to what young people felt was a disingenuous and selfish consumer culture, can now itself be just as hollow and unsatisfying as ever. It's become a cool image, but what actually is justice? And how do we truly live it out?

Overwhelmingly the response through the survey, though worded differently each time, had a consistent theme. The words fairness and opportunity came up regularly. 

The simplest way I can think to describe how people defined justice was:

Everyone having an equal opportunity to prosper. 

Everyone - that includes you, your neighbour, other countries - even your enemies. 

Equal opportunity - the means & freedom to access resources and rights - including safety, food, shelter, water, sufficient finances & emotional stability.  

Prosper - to do well. To not just exist or survive, but to live - to have a good standard of health, wealth, relationships and fulfilment. 

Think about the basic standard of life you would hope for yourself. You may be able to survive or cope with very little if you had to, but given the freedom and opportunity, what sort of life would you reasonably be happy with?

Do you think everyone else has the same right to expect this standard of life to be available to them too? What are we doing to help others to gain this?

My problem is not with wealth, or obtaining a prosperous lifestyle for yourself. 

What saddens me is injustice. When some elevate themselves over others; claiming their right to prosper with disregard for others - or at the expense of others. 

If justice is the fair opportunity to prosper for all, then I feel those of us who are benefiting from the freedom to access this opportunity have at least some responsibility to those who don't. 

It's not wealth itself that is the problem. It is the attitude that sometimes partners with wealth that says, 'I deserve this more than others' or 'I deserve this, even if others are trampled to give it to me'. 

That is injustice. When we place ourselves on a higher rung - like humanity is a tiered hierarchy and as long as we are at the pointy end of the pyramid, we don't have to worry about it. 

It's confronting to examine this part of ourselves. If we are honest we all have this inside us - it is an attitude that is pervasive in western society, built into the fabric of who we are. So even if we see the problems, they seem very hard to avoid or change. 

And we are often detached and far removed from others who are experiencing very different lives. What is considered the 'poverty line' in Australia would be like winning the lottery to some in other countries. 

But if we looked our brothers and sisters in the eyes, could we say to their faces, 'I deserve to be comfortable and prosperous more than you do'?

We believe ourselves past the point of judging worth based on race or creed. But we don't yet see the full evidence of this in action. 

The issues we see - poverty, oppression, lack of freedom, exploitation - those things that seem so big and that most of us wouldn't even know where to start in combating - Those are the issues of justice withheld. 

So, we should all feel horribly guilty about our disgusting wealth, right? Give away everything? Stop being so selfish and move to Africa as a missionary, or else live for ever with the knowledge that we are inhumane, unjust, terrible excuses for human beings with hearts of ice...

No, not necessarily, and calm down, it's alright. 

The good news is, it's not as hard as you think to start bringing balance. To start living out justice. And none if it has anything to do with feeling guilty. So stop that. 

Three simple steps to justice you can do right now:

1. Start by just now, simply being grateful for what you have. However much or little you feel that is. Just feel or express gratitude. 

(Don't feel guilty, don't say 'but' - just be thankful. And keep it to yourself. This isn't a Facebook boasting... I'm mean posting moment. ). 

Continue this daily. 

2. Spare a thought for others who don't have the same level of opportunity or freedom as you. This could be people in slums in India. It could the homeless people in your city. It could be a family down the road who can't afford the same toys and clothes for their kids as your kids enjoy. 

Don't over think it, or feel like you have to be extreme. And definitely not guilty. Just consider them, and hold them in your heart for a moment. 

Do this daily. It will grow your heart. 

3. Think of one freedom or opportunity that you enjoy - and maybe take for granted :: how can you help someone else get closer to also enjoying this freedom or opportunity?

Eg 

- you have a secure job or run your own business :: Lend $25 on Kiva to help someone else further their business

- you are able to afford education/uniforms/equipment for your children to attend school :: Donate uniforms, equipment or funding for others to attend school. (This could be through World Vision or similar for children overseas, or simply contact the counsellor or chaplain/CPSW at your local school to donate to local families who might be struggling - with uniforms, books, fees or tutoring.)

- you enjoy your freedom, value and opportunity as a woman :: volunteer with RAHAB and express the same love and value to other women. 

- whatever your profession, find a way to mentor or support someone else who wants to be in that field but may have obstacles - whether financial or just because lack of moral support. 

- pick a skill you have that brings you joy or fulfillment and teach it to someone else who might benefit. (Sewing, guitar, tennis, woodworking, hiking...)

And look at that, you're doing justice!

These things can be simple or extreme. They can be everyday or adventurous. It's up to you.

The point is to just appreciate the opportunities you enjoy and take a little time to consciously extend the same to others. 

You may not think that your life has much reach, that you aren't cut out for travelling to rescue orphans, or equipped to start a hospital in the developing world, or you can't afford to give a lot. You don't even have more than ten followers on Twitter, for goodness sake. Who is going to listen to you about justice?

But we wrongly believe that to change the world we first need to get a lot of people to follow us, to be loud and gregarious, to have influence and extreme generosity (or deep pockets to make it appear that way).

But that's not the point. Those who have the influence should steward it well. But for the rest of us, we just need to steward what we've got, whatever it is. 

It will be someone else's passion to go to Africa or start a foundation. If your passion is reading, then share that with someone. If your life is simple and quiet, then just invite someone in who needs a bit of rest. 

If everyone wove this way of thinking into their every day lives, the world would become a much more just and beautiful place in no time. 

:: What are your thoughts on justice? How do you think you can or are already living it this week? ::

A Year of Freedom

Rather than setting New Years Resolutions this year - (I never do anyone because I would have failed them already... and who wants to feel like a failure to start the year??) - there's an idea to just pick ONE WORD.

One Word 365 is about picking a word that inspires & challenges you as a touchstone for the year.

Mine is FREEDOM. I'd picked this before I'd even heard of One Word 365 as I made the fundraising calendar title 2014: A Year of Freedom. I just had a feeling Freedom was a good theme for this year, something that a lot of us need so much more of.

What does Freedom mean to you?

To me, this year, it means freedom from the fear and anxiety that keeps me from being fully myself - the thoughts of 'should and shouldn't' of 'supposed to' - the expectations to be, act or even think in a certain way that you think is the 'acceptable' way.

I'm not talking anarchy. I'm talking acceptance of who I am, faults and idiosyncrasies and all. Because too often I act on ideas of what I 'should' be, or even what I wish I was, instead of being true to who I actually am.

I'm talking taking the risk of being vulnerable and exposed, to ultimately be more fulfilled, and in better relationships. To act on dreams, whether or not I think they could fail, instead of quitting before I've even started.

What does freedom mean to you? What could it mean to others around you? If you we full of freedom and full of grace - what could that mean to others so desperate for physical, emotional and spiritual freedom too?


Happy New Year!!



***

Calendars are on sale - there's a few left, and they are only $12 now!! It's not too far into the year to start your Year of Freedom with us :)

Why you should ignore me (& maybe even stone me).

It's fashionable to be a revolutionary these days. 

That's why I can start Girl Talk, say pretty much whatever I want, make grand claims about changing the world and the worst I expect to get is eye rolling looks as one of those slightly hippie-like idealists who probably drinks green smoothies and buys fair trade coffee pods for her home coffee machine...

There's a lot to be admired about the new trends - the way more people are identifying as activists, the way more people are challenging the status quo.

But what frightens me is when an old trend is just replaced with the new 'trendy'. 

When we jump on bandwagons and support causes, are we really moved from deep within by compassion and love - or are we simply saying, "my status quo is cooler than your status quo."

That's why I want to be ignored. 

I don't want to cave to appealing to the masses. I don't want to compromise to keep popularity. I don't want to mistake the high of having influence for the real influence of love. 

I want to fade into the background while Jesus does His work. 

Because while it's currently trendy to sacrifice and give - we are doing it from a place of safety. From a place of societal acceptance and even praise. 

But if that stops? If it's no longer popular to act justly & love mercy? Was it based on Jesus or the shifting sands of social trends? 

"Because Sexy Christianity feels pretty good until someone throws a stone at you....

And right after American culture moves on from Africa, humanitarian aid, human rights, and issues like the AIDS epidemic and human trafficking crisis, as I promise it will soon, what will our radical faith look like? When being a “sold-out follower of Jesus” and “living simply so that others might simply live” loses its cultural lackluster, what will be next?"

http://kyledonn.com/blog/sexy-christianity

When the rest of the world moves on from the cause-du-jour, will I still be here, really loving God and loving my neighbour? Even if people ridicule me for it? Even if they stone me for it?

And that's what I want Girl Talk to be about. Building real unity and relationships to carry us through anything.

It's not about a movement or a campaign. It's not a once off fundraiser or 'good deed' for the year. It's not even about a new kind of lifestyle. 

It's a true transformation of the heart that leaves us changed permanently. Because when we are in unity we get a glimpse of eternity, and we will never look back. 

A cause will lose its popularity. A movement will end. A lifestyle will go out of fashion. 

But Jesus - who is the same yesterday, today and always - will still be enough for us. Even if it costs us everything. 

How do I choose a 'cause'?

Often it's best to stick with what you know when working out how and where to help in the world. Leave the areas you don't know about to the people who do.

This doesn't only make sense because everyone has certain passions and experiences for a reason, but because trying to change something you don't really understand can back fire. 

Think of a time when you've felt really upset or troubled, and someone has said to you, "oh, I know just how you feel" except its obvious that they don't. What usually follows is well meaning, but inappropriate and sometimes hurtful, advice and platitudes that leave you feeling more alone and isolated than ever. 

Even our most well meaning actions, even when motivated by love, can make people feel like they are less understood instead of more if we try to help without really understanding. 

Ok, so by now you might be thinking, what is this post? It feels like you are discouraging me from helping?

But bear with me - I have a bigger and more important point. And this applies to everyone, whether you feel you 'know' about a certain area of life or not. 

Get to know people. 

Have a passion to help women in prostitution? You don't have to have experienced it to help. But you do need to know a prostitute. 

Have a passion to help single mums? You don't have to be a single mum yourself, but you do need to know one. 

And this applies even if you do have experience of knowledge already. Lets say you are a single mum, or you have been a prostitute, or you have come through abuse/poverty/depression...

You've got a good base to work from. But no two people have gone through the exact same thing.

This is why standardised 'programs' might reach a few but are impossible to make effective for everyone. 

So always focus on the individual person.

Sometimes just listening and seeking to actually know another person without any other agenda is the most important thing that person needs.

Just think about how you feel when you're talking to someone who is genuinely interested in knowing you. 

The help will come out of that relationship. 

The first and best thing we can all do when we have a passion, or when we are choosing a 'cause' to support, is get know people - then the 'cause' will choose you. 

Your life is the best persuasion

Persuade: induce or cause someone to believe or do something based on reasoning and argument, esp. after sustained effort.

It's not always easy to persuade people to change. What seems obvious and essential to you may not seem so clear cut to someone else.

In looking at injustice or the needs of the world, if you feel passionately about something take a minute to think about how you got this point of conviction about what needs to be done...

Chances are you didn't get there over night.
Chances are it was just a single conversation that convinced you.
Chances are there was a serious of events, lessons, circumstances, conversations and heart changes that happened along the way - and continue to happen.

Even if you remember one distinct event or winning argument that was a turning point, think of all that set you up to be able hear it.

Even if you feel you've been a passionate and compassionate advocate all your life, what circumstances of your personality and upbringing might have been different to others to set you up for that?

We need to give others grace for what we see as their ignorance or blind spots - because chances are we have them too!

With all our diversity of personalities, skills and life experience, everybody's journey is going to be different.

Sometimes speaking up is important and impactful. The conversations we have with others will plant seeds and strike sparks.

But don't be discouraged if no one seems to hear you yet. And don't be judgemental or harsh towards others - don't dwell on why you feel they 'just don't get it!'

Remember the fear and certainty that can come with change - with the unknown in the face of what feels just too big.

Instead, let your life be the example. Let your life be the argument. Let your life be the proof.

People are much more persuaded by witnessing a life of love and compassion than they are by just hearing about it.

Live out what you believe in and see what happens!