Wednesday I sat watching the rain pour down from my third floor office, my fingers chilled in the late-winter afternoon, my nose a little runny, and my heart humming with a burning awareness that well all need to love ourselves if we're going to heal each other. We're all in this together; we're all downstream now. I reckon we always have been.
Yet compassion remains elusive. It's very easy for us--or so my experiences say--to have compassion for the creatures around us, to connect with suffering that is immediately visible, to champion others in need. When it comes to love for ourselves, though, we fall flat: criticism, doubt. We deem ourselves so unworthy of love and hope, doubt our abilities, question our intentions. What is it that divides us from ourselves, do you think?
Maybe we don't have enough beetroot in our diets? I don't think it's quite that simple.
With that lingering thought, the good word:
Ch-ch-ch, Changes
There is much excitement in the land of Thoughtful Foodies. We now have four spectacular coordinators: Ang, Andrew, Gemma, & Lauren; Alice will take over ordering; Monika remains the guru of finance. A big hand, please, for our new & reinvented masters of ceremonies. Please, also, make a note of your new TF contacts. The aforementioned are the people to contact with questions, bulk orders, eggs orders etc.
Eggs
There should be eggs this week. There's been a lot of coming & going this winter with the egg thing, and we really appreciate your patience. The beauty of a cooperative is, of course, the cooperation, which means understanding & respecting how much people (like Michele, who delivers our eggs) give, & that we all have complex, busy lives.
Anyway! If you want eggs please drop by the co-op, or call, before midday Tuesday. You can also email one of the new coordinators. Please do not call the co-op on Monday, 'cause nobody will be there.
Veggies
The boxes we're overflowing last week, as if the organic vegetable gods had swept down over Thoughtful Foods & declared oh hey, I reckon you could do with a bit more this week.
I trust you're enjoying all the leafy green & sweet potato goodness as much as my hippie household. See how much winter has to offer? Aren't you glad it's been raining? (Okay, we can reserve judgment on that one).
If you'd like to partake in the joyous veggie bounty this week make sure your orders are under the door by 9:00am on Wednesday morning!
Also, it is super-extra important that you turn up to get your veggies! We're all grown-ups & responsible for getting them; we will give them to the needy if you don't turn up. So if you want 'em be at the co-op by 5:45pm on Thursday!
Thanks!
SAGE
Alright ya'll, I've submitted something to our stunning & fantastic twice-annual newsletter, now it's your turn! Gem is looking for the creative & analytical, the ordinary & sublime. It doesn't have to be lengthy (in fact, it shouldn't be, please), but should give everyone some insight on your co-op or eco or life experience.
I'm especially keen to hear about the adventures of Newcastle Climate Campers! Please submit something to Gem today!
Community
Focus Group
(from Edwina)
"You are invited to participate in a focus group on reforming Australia's government, which will contribute to research for a PhD thesis.
The discussion will take approx. 90 minutes, and you will receive $20.00 for participating. Groups will be held on campus on 18 and 19 August (Week 4).
The focus groups are open to all UNSW students who are Australian citizens.
Please contact Paul Kildea on 0421 864 109 or at p.kildea@unsw.edu.au if you are interested in participating."
Community Dinner
In the spirt of Woodcourt St., though perhaps without the intensity, the Forsyth crew will be hosting a community dinner on Thursday 31 July. Please come for the banter, for the meal, and a free-flowing creative writing workshop. RSVP to Meghan if you're keen, or turn up on the day.
Unit 3, 17-19 Forsyth Street, Kingsford. Near the Uni, perpendicular to Barker.
ENERGY SAVING DOWN LIGHTS
(from Randwick Council via Louise)
As an extension of our Sustainable Home Makeover Rebates workshops, we invite you to join us for an information evening and viewing of energy saving down lights at Barrett House and hear from Alistair Duncan (Director, Eco Living Centre) on global lighting trends.
Alistair and representatives of ME Lighting will be on hand to answer your questions about what types of energy saving down lights might be appropriate for your home.
When: Wednesday 6 August 2008, 6.00pm – 7.30pm
6:00pm refreshments
6.15pm - 6.45pm 'Global Lighting Trends' presentation by Alistair Duncan, Director Eco Living Centre.
6.45pm - 7.30pm Ask the experts: ME Lighting display, Eco Living Centre.
Venue: Barrett House, Sustainable Demonstration House
6 Barrett Place
Randwick, NSW 2031
Please RSVP to:
Helen Morrison
Sustainability Project Officer
email: helen.morrison@randwick.nsw.
This is a Randwick City Council Sustaining our City initiative.
This apple crate is my soapbox
On Saturday I had the immense pleasure of working & playing at the Organic Food Expo in Darling Harbour. I tasted beautiful yogurts, amazing coffees, indulged in some dipping sauces, reawakened my love for fresh breads, finally found a way to tolerate flaxseed oil, and even nibbled on some raw chocolate. Also, most importantly, I encountered hundreds of people dedicated to the notion of building sustainable western civilization (hey, it is a good idea).
We are not alone, my Thoughtful ones. Every day the movement grows, an eye opens, a permaculture baby is born. Our task is to live in the movement; to be the change in every moment. We already do this through the co-op with bulk, organic, and fair-trade buying. Yet there's so much more. Each of our interactions, our social connections, our deep breaths in the cold rain has the potential to connect us to each other & the planet. The bonds we forge are our miracle & our humanity.
Ain't that somethin'?
It'll be on my mind throughout this evening's hail, across the coming frigid days, through the promise of springtime and the heat of mango summers. Hope it'll be on yours, too.
With love & breathy choko tendrils,
Meghan