Freeconomy Blog
Sat
08 Mar
Inspiration, fun on the road and some great debates...
| 20 comments |
After making the 80km hike from Hastings to Faversham with a couple of pitta breads, two tins of beans and a packet of trail mix, how glad were we to make it to an amazing organic smallholding run by a very ecological family.
With no sound of cars whizzing by, no street lights in the vicinity and only surrounded by orchards, geese and chickens, I saw constellations last night I haven't seen in years! A more beautiful way of life I cannot imagine.
We just spent the last two days digging and weeding their land and tidying away a huge site of timber so it can be reused. I love it, I am much happier with a spade in my hand than in front of a computer. So why is it that I spend much of my time on a computer and very little time on the land? I suppose we all just have to fulfil our roles in life in order to one day realise our dreams. My dream is to one day work the land, but only if that is in a world where people are at least learning to respect each other, help each other and take care of the planet. So for the long-term foreseeable future this is my cause and the land remains the dream.
Actually can we rewind to the third line of the first paragraph for a moment - that food list looks awfully like our rations in France.
It has gone through my head a million times the fact that we did not show the trust in the universe that we preach about so much (or should I say Mutch?). Maybe we could have made it. I think that is what I learned most after coming back - that I really need to start living the trust to its fullest, even in the toughest of situations. But all I can do is try to live it to the best of my ability from here onwards. So we're trying, but I'm sure we'll still have our moments of doubt!
I have been inspired by three things over the last few days. One of them is this farm - a bunch of people working towards a better world for very little thanks. And what a job they have done.
The second, a group of four freeconomists in Edinburgh who are organising a HUGE monthly freeconomy event, running from 11am in the morning to 12am at night! It will include some amazing workshops, skillsharing, lots of talks and music and entertainment all day. They've even convinced the venue owners, The Forest Café to let them have the space for free! If you want to find out more or go along, then you can contact a freeconomist called 'pixiekat' through the site or email pixie_lenore@hotmail.com. And if any other towns want to do something similar, look no further for your inspiration! This is what I call Stage 2 for the freeconomy community.
The last one (well lots of things inspire me but these are the main ones!) is a woman in America called Shannon Rose, who has decided to take a huge leap of faith and run her business 'freeconomy' style. It was already an amazing concept and I am sure she will have lots of doubts and problems initially, but good on her for taking that step, regardless of whether it is a success or not.
Some of you may have been reading Eric 'the fool' Mutch's Blog in the last few weeks. Eric is my co-pilgrim and the first thing you probably notice when reading it is that it is a completely different viewpoint than mine. He gets down to the gory details and in some ways it's a truer reflection of the whole trip!
To be honest I'd love to tell you all the stuff we talk about and get up to! People who have read my blog and then meet me often say I am much different than my blog makes me seem - not sure if it's a compliment or an insult! Myself and Eric have non-stop fun all day - for me spritiuality doesn't have to be dull and solemn. In fact I beleve fun is the essense of spirituality. That's all my aim is for this world - for people to have more fun, less stress, more smiles, less suffering, more dancing, less arguing. All the other stuff like mass consumerism, sweatshops, factory farms and wars would eventually sort themselves out if we all (especially politicians!) just had more fun. I know it seems very simplified, but it is true.
Chuck a bit of unconditional love in a bowl, add a pinch of generosity and respect for all and then mix with the spoon of fun and this would be heaven on earth. And that is the core of my spirituality and philosofree.
The main reason I don't go into the details the way Eric does is that every time the pilgrimage or this community gets publicity, the media use this blog to quote (or should I say misquote) me. So I got to be a bit careful of what I say as I really don't want to damage this community with a few flippant comments. Contrary to what most people think, I never chose the media attention the pilgrimage got, I've only ever pro-actively promoted this community. But you can't choose everything in life so I just got to play the cards I got and make the most of them for the sake of the message.
One thing that has brought a lot of happiness to me is the change in the tone of the comments to the last blog. I never expect everyone (or even anyone!) to agree with me, all I ever ask it to debate with respect. So a huge amount of respect to those on both sides of the debate on the last blog, I think it's very admirable of you all. Don't stop debating, just keep doing it with mutual respect, we all have something to learn from each other.
Apparently the UK has 80mph winds coming over the next few days and we got to make the 100km trek to London with little food. Hopefully the wind will be on our backs, it might speed Eric up :-) He knows I love him.
By the way, a quick poll! What do all you guys think of my decision last year to take a new name? The reason I did it was to carry on a very old tradition in a number of older cultures, where you took a new name at a certain point in your life which represented something you wanted to aspire to.
But I can see that it makes me look like a hippy (I don't even know what exactly a hippy is, apart from the fact it is usually a label that gets used in a negative way) at best, or pretentious at worst! Neither were intended, I just want to aspire to being more free in all respects, and am still far from such a place. Let me know your thoughts, all are valid, and if 100% of the people tell me I should be Mark again then maybe I'll revert. Or become the artist formerly known as Saoirse. Or maybe I'll just keep on being me and follow my heart.
Lots of unconditional love to you all and thank you for the flavours you add to this world.
Comment on this Post:
Joyful comments ...
Hi Mark.
I too have received the info from Kat about the Edinburgh meets and also wish to give her my thanks. She is doing great work. I look forward to joining in with it all. Re your name-if the reason you chose it still exists then continue to use it. I am glad to hear you are encountering lots of joy in your travels. If you ever arrive up here I would like to meet you. The free economy is starting to work in Edinburgh and someone here has even set up a website to give a gift each month to someone in need. This month he is paying someones telephone bill! Even if you have been given negative comments it keeps all this more in the public eye so as they say any news is good news. Take care both of you on your travels.
Joy
Helena comments ...
Sweetie,
How would you feel if you called yourself ’Freedom’ instead of Saoirse? It means the same but would be received with, perhaps, a little more incredulity. Many British people have changed their names to things like ’Rainbow’, ’River’, ’Grey Wolf’, ’Thunderstorm’, etc. as they feel they have an affinity with the namesake. This does, however, bring the obvious judgment from others up and it’s not really surprising.
There is a stereotypical image of people like this and that is of flimmy flammy, wishy washy, ’hippy’ types with no backbone and no real contribution to the planet apart from vogon poetry. Yes this is judgmental, but humans are judgmental. Now, I know you’re not like that as I know you but if I didn’t I daresay I would fall into the above, judgmental category.
A dear sweet ex of mine tried highlighting to people the unimportance of names by telling such people he was going to change his name to ’Not Important’. This was met with the inevitable barrage of ridicule and abuse but it emphasised 2 important factors: 1) people who don’t know you will make assumptions about any information they have about you and 2) names are NOT actually that important but by changing it you are giving a message to the world that you believe a name says a lot about a person otherwise you wouldn’t have changed it in the first place. Does that make sense?
Personally I couldn’t care less if you decided to change your name to ’Princess Silver Whiskers III’ but, like I said, the act of changing your name shows - whether you like it or not - the importance you place on names.
You are still you, with or without a name. It really doesn’t matter that much. But I cannot speak for everyone.
Lots of love. xxxxxx X
PixieKat comments ...
Aww...thanks for your kind words sir! :)
Checked out Shannon Rose’s site and it’s very cool. Really like what she’s doing - wish she was in the UK so I could hire her! Much respect anyways.
Perhaps you should consider changing your name to an arty squiggle! :P The critics would love that! Nah, just jesting!
I like Saoirse. Although I meant to ask you for official pronunciation last night before we got cut off... I’ve been practicing though and shall make a tentative attempt next time we speak!
I figure it’s your name, it’s you that’s got to live with it and so you should be comfortable with it and it should reflect ’you’ in some way.
Keep being you and following your heart! Tis the only way to go...
Much love and respect m’dear
Kat
xxx
Friend comments ...
Hi Mark,
I think you should revert to the name Mark. It seems much more credible if you want to be taken seriously.
I don’t know anything about your relationship with your parents but it is the name they gave you. No doubt the name was special to them and given to you out of love.
Life comments ...
I think you should keep this journey open to changes. It seems like what you want is for people to be more kind and considerate to others. I hope you will be able to keep you mind open to the possibility that positive changes can occur in society with or without money. I really think if you travelled around volunteering and encouraging people to help one another you would effect more change than you ever will trying to convince them to live without money. Your own words in this blog show us how much harder life is without money. It is very difficult to live at the mercy of others even those who are well intentioned.
Question comments ...
I run a successful business. Everyone who works for me is very well paid and I have enough money left over to help a lot of people. I have helped quite a few individuals in developing countries through personal contacts. I have helped pay for a hip replacement operation for an old man who had been an invalid for years, surgery for a woman with mastitis, eye glasses and dental work. I sponsor a little girl through a small charity she used to be a beggar and now she is a top student. I also am able to help many other people in big and small ways from grocery money to school tuition both in other countries and where I live. Without money I would not have been able to do much of this. How else would I help people thousands of miles away?
Selina comments ...
Hello Beloveds,
Glad to hear your news and know that your journey is unfolding perfectly. A name is a sacred sound that states your energetic intention. Our parents or elders name us stating the path they intuit our lives will follow your birth name for the planet Mars (which to me is not about war but rather about masculine energy and healing polarity that might create conflict) mine, selina means moon Goddess. I resonate with mine still, but if you do not, it is within your power to change it, however you choose. Convention may prevent us from making many changes in our lives but conforming to convention is about fear over love not love over fear.You ARE a free limitless being whether you name yourself in this way or not.Trust your heart not the judgement of others, then you will be truly the change you wish to see in the world. To me you will be beloved Saorise until you state another preference. The freedom and unconditional love that you have spread on your journey grows and expands in your wake like spring flourishing. Unconditional love to both you and Eric. Know that if you need a sanctuary, it is offered and you are welcome. Blessed Be, Selina xxxxxxxx
dukeofrochdale comments ...
When i first heard the name i thought oh, he must be one of those Buddhist’s who do that name changing, renouncement thing.
Mark is easier to remember and more everyday / down to earth round these parts.
Ive just called my new baby George, so as you can guess, Mark is more my cup of tea.
Saying that i dont dislike Saoirse, it sounds like your making a statement with it... all part of ’the message’ i guess, er and no, duke is not my real name!
Marie-Louise comments ...
Lovely Pilgrims so glad to hear you are well, we pray for you on your journey and you are often in our thoughts throughout the day.
Regarding names: we are taught in many traditions about the power of words.Names are very important words not given lightly but powerfully as are all words are.A saying springs to mind ’in the beggining there was the word’ a statement about intention and manifestation. Say it, be it. Ask yourself who am I being? Who do I want to be?
A serious name: If you had been given this name at birth would you wonder if you would be taken seriously with this name? no I don’t think so you would just be . So what is it that is worrying you? Prehaps it is the difficulty of pronunciation? Then maybe time should be taken with new people who you meet to say your name over and over until it is easily said.
The man I met was the embodiment of Saoirse (with a perfect foolish companion!)
Thank you for touching our lives on your journey. You will always have somewhere to rest here, for as long or as little as you need.
Peace be with you
Love M-L & family
Emenda comments ...
To me - a name is a name. It doesn’t necessarily have to mean anything really important. Mark Boyle or Saoirse is equally important. Your name is your outward identity.... but I don’t believe it is what you are called that wholly creates your identity. It is by your actions.
I think if I changed my name - I would feel a little silly - but that is because i choose not to place so much emphasis on it. I am known for my soul by my friends and not by my name. In fact many people never call me by my name anyway - its normally babe/sweetie/mate or some other term of endearment.
The thing is - everyone has their own take on life and how they want to be seen or viewed. Others will call you what they wish and so its down to you.
If you feel it is important for you - go for it. But personally I think you should be proud of your name from birth - the one your parents chose, the one by which people have known you as for many years.
The name Mark (Correct me if I am wrong) means warlike. You are on a pilgrimage and not waging a war - but you are a soldier battling for a better life for all people. There is something quite fitting about that.
But again although we are equal - I have come from a different background to you, have seen/done things differently in life to you and we are therefore different. You have one mind and I have another, and what I may deem important may not be the same values as your good self. If changing your name is what makes you happy and makes you feel comfortable. Then I would advise you to go for it.
I hope I have not sounded pessimistic?!
Emenda comments ...
Ps Emenda is a Pseudonym. But that is because I choose to hide my identity for my own reasons.
Nadia comments ...
Hi,
If calling yourself Saoirse does what you wanted it to do - i.e. give yourself a feeling of freedom, unlimitedness then why not keep it and you feel you will do your best with this name then why not keep it.
You said you felt you could have gone on in France with the supplies you had.
That was a different situation - you were thinking not only of yourself but of the others with you. You also were having doubts about going East having met people from the East who obviously knew about community in a profound way.
I am so inspiried by the Edinburgh folk who have organised the monthly events - I’d love to have those here too so we can meet eachother and offer help more directly.
Just off to read about Roses work-Take care all!
N :)
Emenda comments ...
Sorry, I am sure I am driving you all crazy with my incessant postings.
I want to mention something I have only just remembered - and feel it may prove useful.
When in my ’un-happy’ school days. Because of the way in which my real name was used, I began to feel very ashamed of it. I remember wishing I could change it to hide away from the world and pretend I didn’t exist. But after some years of growing and learning I became proud of my name and came to actually love it - to the point that when I married I didn’t change my name (despite much protesting from others).
Mark, your reasons for name changing are very different from mine - but keeping Mark would also remind you of your roots, and where you have come from and you will look back at your life in years to come and think of how - you used to be Mark who sat in a stuffy office all day and have made this incredible journey to the Mark that we have here - being free and submitting his life for all (I am sure there is much more learning to come!).
Using Saoirse as a middle name means you could actually use both? You can say whichever name feels appropriate at the time?
But do not forget where you have come from and the journey you have taken. It is a nice thought to be given a new name - almost like a new birth of person... but you are not re-born - you are Mark, and you have battled with life and made huge decisions... and you have made these decisions as Mark. You should be extremely proud.
I feel really bad for commenting.... my opinion is my own.... and yours is yours. Don’t feel swayed - do what ever you feel is best for you only.
Nadia comments ...
To Question,
An alternative way of helping people could be to help them to find a way of getting what they need without using money -this is more empowering.
Also you could approach the community they come from in order to ask what they would like from you to help sustain themselves. They may want your help in campaigning for better services in their area such as library, swimming pool, leisure facilites, community building, health food stores, natural health care, parks.
Alternatively they may want support in campaigning for better trade laws, agricultural policies etc
Giving your time and energy or material things that others need more than you do instead of money helps build connection, community, trust, sustainability.
These are just options I’m sure there are many other things you could do.....
Good Luck,
Nadia :)
Robert Howes comments ...
Mark is easier to pronounce, but call yourself what you like.
***
What is more important is your message.
***
Our message really, all of us that have the same philosofree as you call it.
***
I ran a free shop for eight months in Maesteg in 1995 until the rates needed paying, but I proved it can be done. And I’ll do it again, when I’m ready.
***
More important is a free-food vegan cafe and drop-in centre. Better still a thousand of them up and down the country. And I know how to make it happen, if others will have faith and join me.
***
In some senses you are reinventing the wheel. It’s been done before. I think your generation needs to join with my generation and those in between, otherwise all but the most stubborn eventually give up in frustration.
***
I’m sure your wildest dreams can be made real, but there are necessary steps and processes. It won’t just happen through wishing it and wanting and desiring it. That is not the nature of reality.
***
When you get out this way give me a ring and we’ll get together, and work together and talk together and walk together, and learn together. I can help you, but I need help too.
***
You might not like everything I will say, but I say the same things to everyone, it’s up to them to act on what I say, or not. I just tell the truth as I see it.
See you whenever,
Bob
01792 792 442 Swansea,
Or 01656 739 813 Maesteg
Nadia comments ...
Just wanted to say that I had been feeling shy of asking for help but did so today by emailing everyone in my area. Within 2 hours I’ve had 4 offers of help
-I am very moved and just wanted to share with you that this is working!
What an amazing world we live in!
N :)
Question comments ...
To Nadia, Hi. Sorry what I ment in my question was how do I provide things like operations, school fees, food etc to people in developing countries without using money. These people live in unimaginable poverty so things like leisure facilities and swimming pools are not prorities for them and their government can’t even afford things like free life saving medical care.
I am asking how you do these things without money.
Even if one were to approach ones government asking for better libraries, community centres etc you are just asking them to use taxpayers money. I am asking how one gets these things done without money being involved at any level. Am I totally missing the point of the Free Economy. I honestly didn’t understand your suggestions because they all involved money.
Emenda comments ...
Hi Question,
I think that what you have done is fantastic!
Most of the things you have mentioned whereby you have helped by giving money, appear to be more about medical issues than anything else. The thing is, the world is still very much money dominated. But what is different for you is that you take what you need to live from your business, you pay your staff and with what is left you are effectively giving away. You are not actually creating more money in the world. You are sharing it around. I think Nadia’s ideas are great. But obviously with the commitment required to run your own business I am sure that time is tight. Campaigning to obtain donated articles to help the people, as you have, in their developing countries would be excellent. Use your business as a tool to secure more help.
See, people could travel over there (and have to pay to do so - not to mention form more carbon foot prints!) and could assist - but I think that these people need resources to help them do things themselves. Sending donated articles over, like medical equipment, starter food packs to grow their own food, other misellaneous articles that are in abundance in the UK or wherever but which are more than sparse over there.
The medical issues are different, someone has to be paid to help these people, because if they are not paid then they will end up on the poverty line too, especially when taking into consideration family responsibilities and their economy. Freeconomy will take much time to be taken onboard, but this is because if it is to work - its needs the majority’s support. These people don’t know about freeconomy - but why would they? It is the wealthy (in land/food/money) that need to be made aware of it in order that sharing can become a part of their lives. What can you possibly do to help yourself and others when you have nothing - not even clean water? They have themselves and their own hands but they need tools to help them. Maybe we all need to rally around to get the tools to them? Then do as Nadia says, try to help these people get their communities together, make education available to all and medical assistance when they need it. By sending donated items over - books, pens, pencils, tables, chairs, text books, medical supplies, glasses, dental tools, etc etc..... we are then not generating more money. Even get a donated driver/vehicle to drive it over.
The saying goes that nothing in life is free - which in some senses at this point in time is correct... someone will have had to pay for the tools etc at some point or for someone’s operation/medical services. But actually kindness, time and taking action to look at, and work towards the bigger picture is free. I do not think that what you are doing is wrong, money is how we currently work.. but looking at ways to minimize its use and to stop generating more money is the ideal way forward.
If you managed to secure lots of medical supplies in the form of donations you could potentially save many lives. But saying this, your money is also your own and you should use it as you see fit... you are hardly using it to buy leather, initial personalized seats and golden hub caps for your car!!! Which would be a huge waste of money!! Your money is doing great things. Do not be discouraged but still think and try to work towards the ’bigger picture’. You certainly sound like you have the enthusiasm!!
This is quite a controversial subject bearing in mind there are many hurdles to cross - bear in mind this is only my personal opinion on this.
not Brian Campbell comments ...
Do whatever you like, but if you ask me, there are already plenty of Marks and too few Saoirses, so keep it that way. That is the same reason I want to change my name. If I have to have a name, I’d like it to be a little more original especially if I ever go visit Scotland. I’ve heard that the name Campbell is not so popular there, owing to some points of interest in history. So I am Campbell no more...
satyat nasti paro dharmah
