Freeconomy Blog
Thu
06 Mar
Actions and actors, positive media and organic living...
| 28 comments |
Aleister Crowley once said that you cannot leave Hastings, a town on the south coast of the UK, until you findrock with a hole in it. Well it felt like that for a few days, we seemed to run into one great person after the next who had a job that needed doing. It's a great place, very cultural and probably the friendliest town I've been in since setting off. We ended up spending the last two days gutting one arts studio and reorganising another, whilst staying with the beautiful people we were helping.
Thankfully there was a real turn around in the media this week as regards our walk - everything I've done in the last three days was about either the freeconomy community or the whole concept of 'unconditional giving / paying-it-forward'. Hardly a word was mentioned about the walk which is great, I really feel like finally the pilgrimage is promoting the ethos behind this community and not the other way round. So it feels great to have finally turned that corner.
I also got a chance to read some of the comments on here also - thank you to everyone who has an opinion of it all. One thing I would like to ask everyone is to distinguish between actors / actresses and actions. Let me explain. For example, the river Severn will always be called the river Severn. However it is never the same river at two given moments, as it always has different water running through it. Humans are the same. We always look the same, evolving gradually just like the river, but we are never the exact same person at two given moments. We change physically, mentally, and sometimes even change our opinions if our egos let us.
However, actions within certain context will always be positive or negative until the actress / actor decides to turn that energy into positive or negative again. So when people here are responding to comments left by other people or even the blog itself, I think it would be much better to talk about the issue being discussed and not attacking other people. Lets debate issues not people - that is a real focal point of non-violent communication. It makes everything less personal and instead gets some very good debate going about the issues being spoken off. That's my twopence worth anyway, feel free to do whatever you like, this space is for everyone, positive and negative alike.
Today we are off to work with a couple of hardened pilgrims, the ramshackle brothers, who have a big organic garden up in Faversham, just north of Ashford. We're going to be digging, weeding, tidying, fixing and as the spring is now well under way, a bit of planting also. Not exactly sure how long we will help out there for, but as soon as we're done we are going to try to get to London, which has more freeconomists than anyone else in the world. So if you are from there and need help doing anything (big or small, 2hrs or a week!), or want to organise a local freeconomy group meeting, then get in touch on 0775 886 1783 - we cannot reply to texts has we have no credit!
So how am I feeling? It's always a bit of a rollercoaster ride and there are days when I wonder why I left an amazing community of people in Bristol to go and walk for community elsewhere. I miss people and porridge the most I think. I haven't been sleeping well either, got quite a bit on my mind and when you meet knew people and stay with them everyday, you end up staying up late every night talking, with very little time to wind down as you got to try to get some sleep before the next 25 mile walk. I am averaging about 3 hrs a night over the last week or so, and it starts to take its toll when you have to be full of enthusiasm at every moment and have nowhere to hide in the evening. Its all part of the inner journey though and all things I need to learn to deal with.
For an alternative take on this pilgrimage, read Eric the fools Blog. I don't have enough space on my blog to detail all the mad scenarios we get ourselves into everyday, and he can tell them much better than me anyway...
Lots of love to you all.
Comment on this Post:
Marie-Louise comments ...
I just wanted to let you know that I have just started my first painting in my newly organised studio!
The biggest smilliest thank you to you lovely pilgrim boys.
I will send you Reiki & trust that this will help you rest and sleep well.
With love and thanks from all the family
xxx
Helena comments ...
Hey folks,
If anyone’s feeling flush and wants to put some credit on Saoirse’s phone you can do the following:
1) Buy a Virgin top up voucher from your local newsagent / superstore / ethical trader.
2) Call Virgin on 0845 6000 789 and press option 1 then option 2.
3) Tell the operator you want to credit your voucher to the following number: 07758 861 783. That is Saoirse’s number.
It may be wise to then put an anonymous comment on here to let others know how much has been put on there so his phone isn’t suddenly credited with a squillion squid.
That’s my good deed of the day out the way with. Now I’m off to throw my empty Special Brew cans at policemen.
Lots of love. xxxxxx X
Helena comments ...
PS. I know you’re not a charity case Saoirse, but some of us would just like to do this!
xxxxxx X
Confused comments ...
Er....I thought the point was to live without money?
Or is it living without spending your own money, but allowing people to spend their money on you??
I wonder how Gandhi managed without Virgin Mobile Phone top-up cards???
Mike H comments ...
Confused,
Im with you. Helena is lving on a different planet, one where we are all fluffy bunny’s, just here to hug each other. Do me a favour u daft cow, shove off.
Mark, this is turning into a bit of a free for all. Do yourslef a favour and get out now. Before all these middle aged MILFS suffocate you.
It’s not too late to late to enrol in the Economy. Forget Free.
nadia comments ...
I am very happy to credit Saoirse’s phone when I am feeling flusher.
When Eric and Saoirse were here I fed them with food I had bought -I don’t see that as any different to putting credit on the phone.
I’m not someone who is into technology in a big way.
I do think though that there is no need to go to extremes. If someone offers you a way to have something that will help without breaking your vow then why not take it?
Who says that Ghandi would not have accepted this form of help if it made his task easier?
Buddha tried doing the extreme deprivation thing and found it didn’t work -he decided the middle way was best.
Perhaps in taking the middle way we can be of most use as we make the journey a little easier.
Just a few thoughts,
Nadia :)
P.S. By the way when it comes to helping make their journey easier to sustain maybe someone could offer them a place to stay where they can be on their own for a couple of days -they are either walking, meeting people or working 24/7 and must be exhausted.
With these conditions I know I wouldn’t last long!
Helena comments ...
The point is to enable people to carry on doing the good work they’re doing. Saoirse might have chosen to live without money but I haven’t and, chances are, nor have you. If it makes someone’s life that little bit easier, what’s the problem oh paragons of virtue?
Christine comments ...
Start coming North - there’s a world up here too even close to Hadrian’s Wall. Don’t just stay south. Get brave if you believe in what you are doing.
Nadia comments ...
Just read eric’s blog and would like to know how to get messages to him-or comment on his blogs.
Does anyone know?
N :)
Even more confused comments ...
I know I’ll be branded “negative” for this comment – but I make it in a genuine spirit of enquiry.
Doesn’t this go against the entire ethos of this site?
The idea, as I understand it, is that this pilgrimage will prove that it is possible to live without money.
But when Saoirse can’t get across the Channel, he accepts cash from Katie’s mum to buy a ferry ticket.
When he finds to his astonishment that the French “don’t speak the language” as he hilariously put it, he bums more money for the ferry trip back to England.
When his mobile runs out of credit, his groupies buy him some airtime. Presumably if his little tootsies get tired you lot will stump up for a chauffeur-driven limousine and a five star hotel.
Why not, you cry. Saoirse never spends his own money – he remains pure!
But what this saga proves is not that it is possible to live without money – but precisely the opposite, that it is impossible to live without money (although it is surprisingly easy to persuade gullible people to pay on your behalf).
No doubt Saoirse has by now tens of pounds of airtime from his supporters, and can speak to the Guardian and the BBC endlessly to drum up yet more publicity.
Ok, it is your money and you can do what you like with it.
But let’s for a moment put this in some perspective – and this is just one example. Every year hundreds of thousands of people in the third world go blind because of an easily treated condition caused by cataracts. Blindness condemns them to a life of abject poverty.
But a simple operation using modern techniques and costing as little as £15 can cure the problem and totally transform the lives of some of the poorest people on the planet.
Once sight is restored they are far more able to provide for themselves and their families.
For all you people with money burning a hole in your pocket all I ask is this - before you donate yet more more airtime vouchers to enable Saoirse to ring the newspapers, that you visit a couple of websites and consider if your hard-earned could be is better spent.
http://www.sightsavers.org/default.asp
http://www.cbm.org/index.html
Yours in peace and love
Confused
Realist comments ...
To Confused:
Confused, you are a twat. You will always remain confused as you fail to understand even the most simple of concepts.
You were either bullied at school (or should have been), bullied at home (or should have been) or you’re a wife beater. Or all three!!!
You evidently cannot cope with change so why don’t you leave this world now before it makes you even unhappier?
Run along now, you’re taking up someone else’s precious carbon footprint.
Even more confused comments ...
Wow – you hippies are seriously nasty pieces of work if anyone challenges your blinkered orthodoxy, aren’t you?
Whatever happened to peace and love?
I was merely attempting to engage in some kind of debate.
Naive perhaps?
But I refuse to let your aura of negativity disturb my positive karma.
All together now - Oohhhmmmmmm!
Mike H comments ...
To Even more confused:
You make a sound argument, Sound, Sound , Sound, Sound.
I appreciate it when people of your calibre take the time to expouns an alternative (but equally valid) argument. Well done you.
To all the other people knocking Even more confused, get a f*cking lfe.
Duke of Rochdale comments ...
Easy tigers! look at some of the previous comments and you’ll see ’Realist’ is just up for a scrap with whoever commented before him, he aint no hippy or a supporter of Saroise’s he’s just furious.
I agree ’confused’ its nigh impossible to live without money in the world we live in, its how we cooperate, its not always fair, but thats life isnt it.
Still it warms my heart to see Mark (Saroise) helping people out and setting off on a days walk not knowing where he might sleep, eat and just hoping to do some good deeds, theres nowt wrong with that is there? Keep going Saroise, Confused and Realist! I am enjoying this blog a lot.
Mike H comments ...
Let me make something clear, I support Mark. (God, if he exists!, I hate the monicker Saiorase, haha i cant even spell it!), Just use your given name FFS, Duke of Rochdale, I agree with you, the proof is in the pudding... Enuf said. The fact that so many of us are comenting on what now (to the outside world) appears to be a joke, is proof in itself.
Keep up the good work, refrain from the \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"pilgrim\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\" monicker and use ur given name. Then there is no ego and I and many others will support you to the ends of the earth.
Nadia comments ...
In answer to some questions,
This site has been set up to allow us to find ways of giving what we can and recieving what we need without the need for an exchange of money.
It doesn’t say that we can’t use money in our lives at all.
Saoirse is attempting to live without touching money in order to raise awareness of a different way of living partly so that the world becomes a more equal place and partly because money may become worthless at some time after we reach peak oil which is probably within a year or so if not now.
At the moment it is impossible for Saoirse and Eric to do what they do without someone using money to supprt them even if it’s buying food to give them.
I imagine the phone credit is to occasionally phone friends and family and to contact the people who would like their help next.
Newspapers/radio/tv are a service there to help us spread news about something. If using them will speed up the awareness raising process then it can be good to use them.
Somebody said if we choose to use them we shouldn’t complain about them writing the untruth.
I disagree, I reckon if I choose to use a service I have a right to state how I feel about the service given.
It would be better though to refrain from using name calling as that is inauthentic.
Marshall B. Rosenberg who wrote books on ’Non-Violent Communication’
states that criticising people is a type of violence.
It gets people defensive and makes it harder for them to listen and respond with authenticity.
Instead he says it is better to talk about feelings, needs and requests.
We may have clearer debate if we leave out the criticising and instead say how we are feeling, what we want and what we need whether that is to have our opinions heard, clarity or information etc.......
N :)
Emenda comments ...
No matter what the opinions noted here say, there is certainly no need for sarcasm, nor swearing. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
This is exactly the kind of subject that would be good to debate. To go through each issue and discuss why certain things are likely to work and why others are not.... and if not, if anything could be done to make it work.
Firstly, I agree it is hard to see our lives without money, but this is not just about money. (How is it that everything appears to relate to ’money’....?) It is about reducing the amount we use. For example:- You may have things in your home - old spade or trowel, whatever it may be. You may want to take it to the skip... when instead you could actually post it on here as a tool you have. Someone may need a new spade/trowel and.. hey! Someone gets a new spade/trowel and you do not have to throw it out and fill up land fill or clog up your cupboards! It its about reducing waste, passing on skills/tools to help others - and also getting help when you need it. The boys here are working hard everyday - and yes, it may not be 9-5 and paid work - but I bet you they do longer hours and work harder than us do in our daily grind. We get money as pay - the boys get a bed to sleep in, food to eat and a HUGE amount of fulfillment.
Sharing and caring with your fellow neighbour may not be mammoth leaps like Mark/Eric are taking, but a step in the right direction is still a step closer. I think it will be an enormously long time until money doesn’t exist. But helping out your fellow person and sharing skills/tools is the way forward. I do not judge others who do not have the same ideals as I. But I do object to others placing judgement and making assumptions about others rather than constructively working through their confusions.
We all have different minds and see things in different lights. We are human and cannot expect to agree with everything a person does/says.
I have a child and therefore need to support my child. However much I love the idea of jacking in my job and living helping others, it is not practical and not help for my child. The current climate dictates that everything revolves around money - and that is the exact point. it controls our entire lives - when actually all in all - it should be the most insignificant. Yes, its a cliche but the things I care about in life are my fellow man, my family, my friends. Life should not revolve around money - its effectively running our lives. We end up working, eating, pooing, taking your child to the zoo and sleeping - that life is not the only one I want to live - I need more than that.
There is more to life than this. Growing our own vegetables, exchanging help - basically bringing down bills to reduce your working hours and actually live life!!! Not sat there wondering if I am going to get the over-inflation pay rise I want to buy that new coat I saw in Prada the other day..... My life would be poo if that was all I worried about... its comfort over love of life.
Its about going back to basics.... Money only appears to be a necessity in our culture. It is difficult in such a society as this to see beyond all the commercial pap. We assume we need things like TV’s and cream rubber cakes or Prada coats. But actually we don’t.
Can you imagine if the majority grew their own vegetables, milled their own flour and baked their own goods in exchange for help to complete the process? Effectively making sure everyone wins? I don’t know about you - but I would save myself over 50 a week - a day less working and of increasing more money being generated - just some food for thought - its the optimist in me!
An excellent saying I have heard is ’nothing will work unless you do’ - best thing I have ever learned - and continue to learn.
xxx
Mike H comments ...
You’re right Emenda, there is no need for swearing it’s just that I have anger management issues which are difficult to control sometimes.
I apologise for offending anyone on here, that was not the intention and I wish Saoirse (see? I made the effort to get his name right and respect his decision to change his name!) every luck on his travels.
Emenda comments ...
Thanks Mike.
The only thing I have failed to mention is the use of ’branding’. Which I feel I must write about.
Can someone please define ’hippy’ for me? Considering you have no idea of my age, wealth, family life, appearance - I do not understand why us supporters are being branded. I suppose its a sign of our ridiculous society.
Black, white, purple, yellow, green, female, male, monster, gay, straight, wavy, zigzag, chav, hippy, goth, nutter. All these assumptions serve no purpose other than create more dislike for people in life. I wonder what my brand would be if you all knew me.......?
Have certain people ever considered that actually we are all equals yet just of individual taste?
Realist comments ...
I’m sorry too everyone. I realise we all have different priorities and I should stop winding myself up when other people have different ones to me.
Mike H, you have inpsired me to apologise to all I have offended so let’s all put our personal opinions to one side and focus on the real issue here: what Mark is doing and how we can support the message he is trying to spread.
I. too, wish him all the very best.
Helena comments ...
What a beautiful turnaround!
Thanks for being the catalyst Emenda, you speak a lot of sense. Realist and Mike H - wow!
xxxxxx X
Farmer comments ...
It sounds great to grow all your own food but the reality is not so great. Growing food requires skill, lots of hard work & a great deal of time not to mention space. Weather and pests can render months of hard work useless and leave hungry mouths. Storing food requires the right facilities and much more skill and time than you might imagine.
Clothes are easy. Anyone out there can get a loom and weave their own clothes. So build a loom buy some wool and make all your own clothes. See how much more free time you will have and how much easier your life will be!
Don’t use a store bought washing machine. Wash your clothes and all you kids clothes in a bucket using cold water. This will free up even more time! Think of all the money you will save on washing machines and heating bills for heating water.
Where my husband comes from when he was growing up in the 80’s people grew almost all their own food and made most of their own clothes. They started at about 5am and finish near midnight. This went on seven days a week! That is how our most of our ancestors lived before the industrial revolution.
Emenda comments ...
I do agree it is intensely difficult growing own veg but we shouldn’t discourage people from trying it. There is much you can do even in pots, peppers, lettuce, chillies, carrots, tomato’s, potatoes in big bins.... You don’t have to start with making a huge space in your garden. Just give a little bit a try and fresh summer salad from the garden is delish!
Its still a start on learning - you can then learn from your mistakes and get better each year/season.
PS If thinking of growing lettuce in pots make sure they are deep - at least 10-12 inches - lettuce have big roots... and to keep away some pests - put slug repellant at the base of the pots...
Peerseoccacle comments ...
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