Freeconomy Blog
Sun
17 Feb
Survival of the kindest...
| 53 comments |
On hindsight I feel like I should apologise, in a way, for yesterday's blog, which I felt came across unfairly critical of the people who have given this community a lot of exposure. Or maybe I shouldn't, I'm not sure. I did say from the very start that this blog would be about how I feel at any given moment, and yesterday I felt a bit frustrated. But today I feel like apologising, so the apology stands.
The people who have promoted this community and the pilgrimage have, in the main, done it a huge service. My frustration just comes from knowing how critical this point in history is and how important it is we get good, unbiased information out to a wider audience.
So when I do an interview about the pilgrimage and freeconomy, I want journalists to report on the reasons behind it, why I am doing it and how people can get involved. So when good space gets devoted to my physical journey and all the questions are just about the practicalities of a 12,000km walk without money, I feel like it's an opportunity lost. If you want to read about survival techniques, check out Ray Mears. It's not my forte and won't be for a very long time, if ever. What I do want to talk about is peak oil, this 'transition' period in front of us and the deeper reasons behind why I believe we need to make a change in our lives. But I suppose in the meantime I'll get out what I can.
Just slightly off topic on that I want to propose to you an antidote to Darwinian theory - I call it 'the survival of the loveliest'. What I have learned over the last three weeks, above all else, is that the happier and friendlier I am the more likey I am to get food and shelter for the night. So on the days I talk to everyone I pass and smile the entire journey, I always end up having great interactions, too much food and sleeping in a warm bed. The days that I am focussed on where my next meal comes from always turn out to be tough and unfulfilling, both physically and spiritually. Hence the more unconditionally helpful and kind I am to people, the more I receive also. Therefore the lovelier you are the more likely you are to survive. It's a theory I would love to see tested on a large scale basis over a long period of time.
Over the last two weeks I've been told by many people to go straight to a doctor to check out my feet -they looked badly infected, the nail was coming off and my feet were in shocking condition. But I refused - partially because I know I would be offered drugs as a remedy, drugs which I know are tested very cruelly on animals and which line the coffers of some of the most environmentally destructive corporations in the world.
So I held strong and tried out a few of the remedies in my homoeopathic first aid kit. I think the symptoms actually got worse on the first day I took them, but after 3 days all the ailments were suddenly disappearing. No more fungal infection, no more blisters, no more muscle strains and no more bruising. Just one precise, minute remedy can change your entire body. So the boys are back in business and I can now do 60km without an ounce of pain in either of them. The ability of our body to respond quickly to our changing conditions really is a marvellous thing.
Which is why I believe in what I call 'social homoeopathy' so much - I feel the same is true for the larger being, our planet and its inhabitants. The changes it needs to be healthy aren't huge and all it really takes is more careful thought going into what combination of remedies are needed to cure the root cause of its varies problems.
Today was also the day Eric joined the pilgrimage to India with me. The guy has got an fantastic energy and it really will be a case of one plus one equalling four. We had an amazing day in Dover, spent the day talking and laughing with locals and dancing with those younger than us in the park. Bethan and the crew at the Beeb came along today to finish their filming, though we reckon a follow up somewhere in Europe would be an opportunity too good to miss.
Tomorrow we're off to try to get our way onto the ferry to Calais in France. Armed with not a penny, we plan to approach the person behind the counter with a huge smile and take it from there. I've no idea what is going to happen, all I know is that if I am meant to make it to India I will be in walking on the opposite side of the road tomorrow evening. Si je crois il se produira.
So it's the end of stage one - England. When I started I said getting out of England in winter would be the hardest bit. Now that I have, I think the challenge of my first foreign country, the language barriers it throws up and the fact I need to gauge and learn a new culture, leads me to believe that France will be the hardest part. But it's a challenge we are both relishing. We decided we could either worry about it or embrace it. You know which one we chose.
Tonight I want to leave you with this idea. I would like EVERYONE who reads this blog today to post a short comment to it about one random act of kindness they are going to 'commit' today! It can be huge or tiny, it doesn't matter. If it brightens up one persons day, it counts. Then everyone can read everyone elses ideas and hence we have a huge resource of 'everyday world changing ideas'. To see one hundred such vows here would make my pilgrimage all worth while.
Then go put them into action and expect a sudden increase in the 'happiness factor' in your life.
Go on, make my day, tell me your ideas!
Keep changing the world with every interaction you have. Lots fo love.
Comment on this Post:
Sue comments ...
You said: "So when I do an interview about the pilgrimage and freeconomy, I want journalists to report on the reasons behind it, why I am doing it and how people can get involved. So when good space gets devoted to my physical journey and all the questions are just about the practicalities of a 12,000km walk without money, I feel like it’s an opportunity lost."
______________________________
In one limited sense, yes. But people are also stuck in their systems, the paradigms handed down to us, our institutions, our own fears. Sometimes those things need to be loosened up a bit before we are willing to look at other paradigms. And your journey and your walk is an exercise in fearless living. It’s all tied in together.
Sue comments ...
One random act of kindness I am going to commit today: I am going to let other people talk and focus on what they are saying, what their heart is saying, rather than being so concerned about getting my own point across ;0
Todd comments ...
Glad to hear your physical homeopathy is working for you, I hope (and believe) our social homeopathy will work as quickly!
My act of kindness: spend a few minutes with the loneliest-looking person I see tomorrow.
Dev comments ...
"When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace."
-The Dalai Lama
You have got great courage to follow your soul. Hope people around the wont not let your mission down. Never loose hope. Gandhiji was a classic expample of how one person can change the world with great determination, love and without single wapon. God bless you. I have been to Porbandar (India) couple of times as I was living in Ahmedabad (Gandhi Ashram is situated in Ahmedabad. I wish you visit this place too. Ghandhiji had spent long time here.)
Michelle comments ...
I’m going to call in on a lapsed friend even though my fear tells me they don’t want me around (or maybe they really don’t want me around - maybe I’m a stalker).
SharingIsCaring comments ...
I just wanted to point out that human beings are social through and through. For social animals in an (I hope!) increasingly pluralistic society, being friendly and helpful is a form of evolutionary fitness. There’s no need for \"an antidote to Darwinian theory\", just an antidote to misunderstanding.
Lubna comments ...
I will make my family pancakes for breakfast (and wake up at 8:00 am to do so). Then I’ll tell them that I appreciate and love them.
Thanks so much for all that you’ve done; I’m really learning from reading your blog and this has been the most beneficial, heart-moving writing I have read in a very long time.
Thank you
Love and Peace
Tam comments ...
We will have tea with our neighbour today. :-) He keeps asking.
You are such an inspiration S. My god. xo
Heather (harmonyk) comments ...
Congratulations on getting to Dover (albeit by the skin of your feet!) God willing you will have no problem getting free passage to France.
My act of kindness today is to offer to take care of my grandchildren during this half-term in order for my extremely hard-up daughter to continue working. I know - any mother would do this but it’s the only thing I have done today so far.
I did think of another thing that repays itself many times - smiling! A smile costs nothing. I find especially warming is when I catch the eye of a baby or toddler in a pushchair - if I smile I am usually repaid by the most precious, honest and heartwarming smile back imaginable - no ulterior motives - no side - no suspicion just a sweet angelic innocent ray of sunshine - MAGIC!
Of course, the big trick is trying it on adults - not so easy to get a response but even if they don’t reciprocate - you may just have brightened their day a little - try it - you never know just who might need that smile.
Godspeed Saiorse and don’t worry, your message will get through.
Much love
Heather (the one who gave you plasters and a scarf in the New Forest!)
Nadia comments ...
You are so honest and open it is inspiring and moving.
I guess I already have done an act of kindness in that I emailed evryone on the site within 10 miles of me to offer a session of Life Coaching tomorrow morning to anyone who would like one as I have some spaces.
I also commit to visiting my elderly neighbour today.
Love and blessings for your journey in France :)
Philip comments ...
I’ve been following the blog with interest for a couple of weeks now. Good luck with the walk and more importantly the message. Random act of kindness was to buy lunch for my parents-in-law.
Dave comments ...
The only way is onwards and upwards. I am in complete admiration of your courage and attitude. I wish you the strength to continue your endeavours and make it safely to India. What you are doing is infectious in a positive sense of the word, You may not know how far your influence reaches with this pilgrimage but the very least you do is encourage people who hear about it to question and discuss...
My act of kindness today is to clean the kitchen that I share with four other people
Elliot Hughes comments ...
I am going to find someone who does something incredibly frustrating out of their own stress, and let it slide, because that’s what should happen. Not people yelling at each other to f-off.
yellowmonkey comments ...
I think what you are doing is wonderful and I’ve been telling everyone about the idea of the freeconomy. Myself and some friend are travelling this summer and have joined couchsurfing and have been blown away by the number of people who have offered us their homes.... human nature it seems is indeed one based on co-operation.
Anyway I’m off to do my act of kindness.... I’m taking an old electric heater of mine to some friends in their new squat because they have no heating and its minus 5. x
Jo comments ...
Alice and I got to The Cowley Club this morning and it was trashed so we spent a couple of hours cleaning. She did more than me though. She did the toilets and they were minging!
Glad to hear your feet are better and no longer as scummy as when I saw them. Well done you for not caving in and going to the doctor.
Jo xx
Helen comments ...
I smile everyday and am happy to share it with as many people as possible. Happiness is infectious. Lets spread it.
caroline comments ...
I have been reading your blog each day since you started your journey , and the main thing that it has made me do is think about the number of Kind things I can do for people in one day , I know that I have done lots of things for people that I wouldnt always think about doing had it not been for you and your journey , I have also taken note of how it has been received , it does make people smile and feel good I could see that , Yesterday a guy was in the queue in front of me and he was 49p short of his shopping money , so when he rumaged through trying to choose what to put back I gave him what he was short of , he smiled and thanked me , then turned back to wave when he left the shop , I know that that made us both feel good , I really dont think a couple of weeks ago I would of done that I maybe would have pretended I had’nt heard his predicament and just allowed him to go home minus all that he needed ( or wanted )
Anyway good luck with your message and could you tell Eric that the monkey has been re-named Mr fruit banana and he has been strapped to Lillian for the whole weekend causing lots of people to stop and talk to her about him which has led to me talking about you both to lots of people ! good luck love from Caroline and Lillian
PixieKat comments ...
Hurrah for happy feet! :) I definately agree with you about loveliness = health and happiness!
I see on the map that there is a beautiful green dot across the Channel! :) Yay! Well done sir! :D
My act of kindness for tomorrow is going up to Aberdeen to be with Wilson and his family as his Dad is very ill and they’ve been under a lot of stress taking care of him. I’m bringing cake and jolly DVDs and plan to take his Mamma out for a girly pampering sesh - she’s had a lot to deal with taking care of his Dad the past few years.
I’m glad your doing so well Saoirse! Very proud of you mister. I’ve been meaning to phone you, do you have your mobile with you...?
Much love and blessings
xxx
Tobias Blackwood comments ...
I work in a camping store here in Adelaide, South Australia. Although I’m kind to every customer, i’ll continue to see them off with a "have a nice day" and a smile, as I do everyday.
Someone said to me not long ago, "have a great day toby" and that put a smile on my face and lifted my spirits. Goes to show a small gesture can have a big effect.
Helena comments ...
Am sendn ths frm my mobile, hence the txt language. 1st STOP USING THE WORD ’SHOULD’! Did i teach u nothn young man?! 2nd, 2day am givin full body massages to 2of the most beautiful older women i ever had the privilege of meetn. I implore evry1 2get 2knw the older women in their community as, in my humble xperience, ths is where u find the most genuine love &wisdm. Powerfully quiet& quietly generous, these women r an inspiration 2b around. So 2day theyr goin2get massagd wth more love than ever b4. Love 2u2.
Anton comments ...
I’ve been quite inspired reading this and I was lucky enough to bump into Saoirse at Hastings pier last week. All the messages are wonderful, and I got a great feeling reading them. However, a lot of people who go out of their way to help others should only, in my opinion, do this to the extent that they can afford to - physically and mentally. I’m just emphasizing that we must look after ourselves. We are no use to others if we don’t. Love to all. I look forward to reading about the trip through France x
mirandalclark@gmail.com comments ...
My random act of kindness will be to give you a tidbit of info that will help you on your way (if you haven’t heard of it already....)
www.couchsurfing.com
Good luck!
Cathy comments ...
My random act was to approach an old man and insist on helping him carry a large piece of lino he was struggling with while also trying to hold a bag with a broken handle. Admittedly, he initially reacted with terror! It was quite sad that he was so worried. I think he thought I might take his things. We parted amicably. He lives in my road, so who knows... next time we might do better.
Keep spreading the love. You are waking us all up. :-)
Peter Brezny comments ...
I certainly hope you are right about our (humanity’s) ability to redirect our course in the face of peak oil and global climate change. Your pilgrimage is a real inspiration. My wife and I own a small backpack hammock company (very light and compact), and for our small act of kindness for the day, we’d like to get you one to use on the occasion you don’t wind up with a warm bed. If there’s a post office or address we could ship a couple for you and Eric to pick up ahead of your path, do contact us here:
info (at) treehuggerhammocks.com
And please do keep emphasizing to the press that your pilgrimage isn’t about the technical details but the bigger picture. I’m sure it’ll sink in at some point.
Good travels!
Peter
call_me_ishmael comments ...
Did you know the Internet and early website technology was funded and developed by DARPA, the \"Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency,\" an agency of the Pentagon? ...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DARPA. So why is it OK to use a web-log to assist your project, but not shoes or pharmaceuticals? This seems very arbitrary.
Richard comments ...
Don’t know why but I always seem to end in tears when reading your blog.
Good luck and happy travels.
Kevin Mc comments ...
Hi Saoirse,
Regarding your idea on acts of kindness and telling people about them. I’m a member of AA and one of our little spiritual tools, is a little card, aptly called the ’Just for today Card’ and it has some spiritual exercises to carry out during any given 24 -hour period.
One of them says: ’I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not count.’
The point being, kindness is an act of humilty Telling others about our kindness is a pridefull act, which is the exact opposite of humility and cancels it out. It’s not an easy thing to do for a normal human being, believe me I’ve tried it.
Another little tool from the card goes: ’Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.’
I hope that maybe this will help you on your journey. god bless you.
Angie Glazebrook comments ...
I bought breakfast for a girl here at work that I know is down on her luck right now.
Elisa comments ...
I´ve been following your blog since the beginning of the year. If it was possible for me, I´d loved to join and walk the walk together with you, even though I surely wouldn´t be able to do 60km at once.
If you happen to come through Germany, I offer you a good place and even though you take another route, I could ask friends and family to do the same.
My random act of kindness that day you wrote, was to do all housework, all cooking and all walks with our dog on my own, so that my boyfriend had time to take care of our magazine, we make without getting money for it. We do it for the others.
Have a good and safe trip and open up your ears, French people are very kind and if they see you´re not perfekt in French, they help you!
Greetings from the northeast of Germany
Selina di Girolamo comments ...
I totally agree with you about the survival of the loveliest and the happiest. The Darwinian theory of evolution encourages us to believe that life is a competition, just as the Book of Genesis encourages us to see life as a trial but (in the words of Gill Edwards) LIFE IS A GIFT!!!!! Acknowledging and feeling the unconditional love that we are born to experience opens our hearts to sharing and connection. Thoughts create reality so if we believe that life is a struggle it is. I choose to believe that life is a cosmic blessing and that we are beings of pure love AND I ALWAYS EXPERIENCE OTHERS AS PURE LOVE!!!
We are truly blessed and these blessings are limitless!
Your journey is such a symbol of the power of love over fear and as such is a huge inspiration. Freeconomy inspires me because it empowers people to consider their inherent prosperity, and to share those resources. Energetically that increases the flow of energy as we each individually realize that abundance is a state of mind.
Bless you for the path you are walking and the spirit your journey is awakening.
My random acts of kindness today will be to take my children into the woods tonight to show them the stars, to bake a pie and share it with some friends, to listen to somebody who feels unheard and to dance with my lover. All a pleasure and a joy.
Blessed Be
Selina
Mauricio comments ...
Today’s act of kindness: I’m giving shelter to a poor straw dog that I found on the streets. Even though I can’t keep him home, I did my best to find a decent home for him. And I succeed, btw (and there you have two acts of kindness, one from me and one - bigger - from a good friend) :-)
Good luck from Brazil!
Nathalie. comments ...
My random act of kindness today will be to write a letter to my 80 years old aunt. She recently confessed feeling depressed. I will send her a nice letter with kind words to cheer her up and an invitation to dinner! Thank’s so much for your pilgrimage. I read your blog every day, it inspires me to change my own life. Nathalie, Montreal, Canada.
Helena comments ...
Another random act of kindness today is resisting murdering Loretta for her inability to clean. Does that count? Do have I to commit this random act of kindness everyday? Maybe I’ll give it up for Lent... Great reading about everyone’s good deeds - inspiring stuff and nice to know there are so many lovely people out there. They’re also on our doorstep. Or is that just my collection of stalkers.......? xxxxxxxxxxx
Shaz comments ...
So great to see you at the ferry in Dover - what a miricle - have a great time all of you - love Shaz
luv you sis from sam ( : hope you have a great tine to kt
lots ’o’ luv ( :
Samantha comments ...
Random act of kindness: spent much of today clearing 2 years worth of fly-tipping & litter from our back lane. Hope to be planting things soon to make it a lovelier place for all my neighbours.
Thanks for making us love each other more. XX
Carly comments ...
I’m going to smile at strangers. That is something I can guarantee. I’ll also feed some meters if I pass any.
Joe Medlar - Bristol comments ...
’Survival of the loveliest’, that’s great!!
Surely that must be my act of kindness then. I’ll endeavour to remind myself in the coming days of the theory and then test it out! Tomorrow, if I start off grumpy I’ll spend the afternoon being sure to be friendly instead and see how I feel then.
Let the experiments commence!
Fair thee well sir, be well in foreign lands!
Lewis Bassett Yerrell comments ...
There’s a few things I would like to do. But I will help my freind find his way somewhere tommorrow, strength to him.
Good luck Brother
I worry about Climate Change: may peace live
readyredroller comments ...
Today, I will take some meat from our overstocked freezer over to our neighbors... thanks for the inspiration! :)
shaz comments ...
To anyone reading this I just wana say that if you see them on the route please feed them and be especially sure to make sure that saoirse has some vegan food - when we saw him in Dover he was dreaming of porridge made without milk - you could offer to carry Katies pack for a while too as shes not so used to a big weight when she walks - and shes only 17 and needs to run free sometimes... God Bless your journey pilgrm team x
Parlez-vous Freeconomy?! comments ...
Hi Saoirse (et al!),
After you mentioned language problems I thought I might have a ’tool’ to help you. I run a project that promotes sustainable backpacking among the VAST numbers of UK students who take a gap-year each year. Our site features (quite) a few phrasebooks which you might find useful on your trip. I’m not sure of your exact route but we have French, German, Polish, Italian, Romanian, Turkish, Farsi, Arabic and a chunk of Hindi that are free to print off the site (recycled paper, please. Ha!) They’re at www.day12.com/phrasebook_home. Hope they help.
Keep up the excellent work.
Martin
Sarine comments ...
My act of Kidness for tomorrow will be:
to offer a lovely breakfast to the kindest Lady called "Anula" who cleans our office everyday. plus her mother’s quite ill, suffering from diabetes, on and off hospitals
we’re in Lebanon, whereas she’s in Sri Lanka...she’s the gardian of Anula’s children..and the poor woman cries not knowing what to do to help...AND SHE NEVER STOPS SMILING (even if she’s in pain)
do u know where i can get homeopathic remedies from? or at least "recipes " for them ?
good luck in your journey,
pass by Lebanon or Armenia on your way...Lovely people..
Rebecca comments ...
Probably not so much a random act of kindness, but hopefully a move in the right direction; the PhD I am hoping to pursue in the near future will be focusing on paradigm / worldview change and how ’survival of the loveliest’ is one of the most crucial factors in this.
Watch this space to see your theory tested and justified! (OK, OK, it’s not more theories we need, but practical application. However, these things come into being in a myriad of ways).
You are a beacon shining out on your travels for all that is good and true; God speed!
Jimdog comments ...
My act of kindness will be to give Cassie (the dog) a huge hug and a good brush. The amount of hair coming off her at the minute would make a fantastically warm coat for the northern france climate if you’re interested hehe :-)
Jimdog comments ...
By the way, may your next stop be at an amenable organic tahini and porridge depot my friend...
Rakhi comments ...
Mark, everyday is an opportunity to live LOVE. You’re doing an amazing thing. This is how the beloved ommunity is born - by us each believing first and then knowing absolutely that we’re here to help one another, love one another in this beautiful beautiful world. I’m radiating my love and light out to you on this journey. Rakhi x
Rachel Fox comments ...
Don’t worry too much about media coverage - by now many of us are quite good at taking what is interesting from the media and following things up ourselves (and ignoring the nonsense).
Kindness today - looking after my Mum cos she’s poorly. Keeping me fairly busy!
Rachel
x
Pip Bowhay comments ...
Due to media coverage of a potential child snatcher in Devon, my friend was not allowing her children to go to their local playing fields on their own. I offered to take them with my children and stay with them. Gratefully accepted.
Tara comments ...
Hi Saiorse
Thanks for your words and open-hearted sharing about why you are doing what you are doing.
I felt rather cynical about it all when my mate, Eric, told me what he was going to be doing. My answer to the question ’how can i help you?’ was a rather jaded ’by helping yourself?!’. However, i have to say that having looked at your journey, inner and outer, in more depth, i do feel inspired by it.
I work with young people of 15-16 who are disengaged and many of them are even more cynical than i am. They see that the world is all about money and how much you have etc. and that if you dont have any or much you are not going to count much. However, they do value friendship. It is inspiring that you are walking the talk - well done you! Far out! Hope you experience massive kindness and generosity just for the courage your idea has shown in the doing of it.
I have shared with most people i know because i do think it’s exciting. Hopefully, it can make them smile too! Lots of luck and love,
Tara
xx
Sephy comments ...
It has been said before, but I feel it is important to repeat: you are an inspiration.
Your blog reminded me of these lines from ’On the Fear of Excellence’
by Marianne Williamson:
"As we are liberated from our own fear our presence automatically liberates others."
I feel that your blog is a testament to those lines.
I suppose my act of kindness for today is letting my friend stay at my place while she tries to find her feet in this city. But to be honest I don’t really feel like that should count - I love spending time with her.
So I’m also going to try and smile at everyone I see in the street today, and if I get stared at I’m just going to smile more broadly.
:-)
Em comments ...
wouldn’t it be lovely to get a phone call and have the person say:
"how can I help you today?"
so many of the calls I get are someone asking me to do something for them.
I will try it today!
NaMaStE!
Em
www.etstudio.net
tangojuliet comments ...
as i'm an integrative holistic physician, i am going to write a friend who's going through a bit of a tough time after a hernia surgery, and send a holistic healing plan, so that hopefully she feels better (mentally and physically) very soon.
your letters are so inspiring and a daily gift for me. thankyou.
