Sunday, June 27, 2010

The Importance of Family - at every level

Hello Everyone


Many of us in Bathurst, my country town in Australia are being challenged by the impact on the importance of ‘family’ and how disruptive any changes can be.
For those of us who recently attended the funeral this much loved young man in Bathurst we see how his death at the young age of 31 has so profoundly impacted his family and the community generally.

And yet other changes are on the horizon as one of the spiritual leaders of so many in Bathurst has announced that his journey in life will have him leaving Bathurst. Similarly, those of us who take a political interest have reacted in amazement that the Australian political ‘father’ ie Kevin Rudd has been replaced.

Many of our leaders and global parents are under considerable pressure. We expect so much of them. And we easily lose our willingness to support them when they err.

Have you ever thought that you create the people around you? That the way you react and treat people, creates who they are? It is an interesting thought isn’t it. It means that we can become proactive in supporting and loving those around us and helping them become all that they can be.

So how have you been creating the important people in your world?  Remeber: in the end all that matters is who you have loved and how well you have loved.

Till we meet again
 
Roz

Monday, May 31, 2010

Foods that rot

Hello Everyone

Have you ever thought about eating rotten food? Well to be more precise, I should say ‘have you thought about the importance of eating food that rots? That was certainly running through my mind last weekend when I did my grocery shopping. One the one hand I was delighted to see a father doing the grocery shopping with his two young children. On the other hand I thought ‘he has bought nothing that rots’.




I watched him go through the checkout with numerous boxes of muffins, muesli bars, loaves of white bread, packages of sausages, containers of ice-cream and various other boxes. It occurred to me that he has nothing that rots! All the food stuffs had an incredibly long shelf life. There was nothing fresh, no fruit, no vegetables not even any frozen vegetables.



I guess we have all heard stories of the hamburger that has been left for months without any signs of deterioration. How does this occur? Obviously with large amounts of preservatives – things that stop the natural breakdown of matter. Nanoparticles are one of the key ways that bacteria is killed. It is bacteria which encourages the natural rotting process.



Nanoparticles are thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair. And nanotechnology has been hailed as a new wonder technology. Accordin to the developers ‘it is able to make stronger and more lightweight materials, better cosmetics and tastier or healthier foods’. But the risks and research on it are sadly lacking.

Stephen Holgate, a clinical professor of immunopharmacology at the University of Southampton, says "Most of the research so far... has shown that these particles can penetrate barriers and get into the system. They can find their way into the liver, into the kidney and even into the brain."

A Friends of the Earth‘s report found that untested nanotechnology is being used in more than 100 food products, food packaging and contact materials currently on the shelf, without warning or testing. Tomato sauce for example is one of the 100s of common food items containing these nanoparticles.

Nanomaterials can be used as more potent food colorings, flavorings and nutritional additives, antibacterial ingredients for food packaging, and more potent agrochemicals and fertilizers. Nanomaterials can be in the packaging around biscuits, provide the color for meat, and supply added nutrients in shakes given to toddlers.

Nanoparticles have been shown in preliminary studies to be chemically reactive and when they find their way into our bodies, they can potentially wreak havoc. We also don’t know how much we can safely ingest without harm, but we do know that some studies have already shown that nanomaterials can adversely affect our immune system.



Why I am sticking my neck out to tell you about this rather scientific new technology? Because the best foods for our bodies are the ones that do rot if not consumed fresh.

What can you do to protect yourself and your family? You could consider taking part in a community garden project or developing your own vegetable garden. Consider learning about the benefits of permaculture. Consciously choose the foods that nourish you and the planet.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Communication as a way forward for the planet.

Hello Everyone


Two weeks ago I was asked to be the mediator for a workplace conflict that had been festering for over three years. The impact of this was low morale and very low productivity for not just the two people directly involved but the whole workplace. Something had to change otherwise court proceedings were clearly on the agenda.
It was obvious to me that both parties had no idea what was happening to the other. Nor could they see how they were responsible for the situation – not to blame but rather, how they may have contributed in some way. Using the skills of conflict coaching and mediation the situation was resolved and peace and workability now reign.

This conflict again made me realise how lucky we are to have moved forward in our thinking. Once upon a time the only way to resolve conflict was to fight but now mediation and communication are seen as far more beneficial. There is a new belief – everything can be resolved in communication. Actually even when wars are over the communication has to start. So why not communicate before things get out of control? Thank goodness this is also happening at the global level too.

Even though we live on the other side of the world, we are so connected via technology that we do know what is happening around the globe. No doubt you are aware of the financial crisis that is gripping a number of European countries, especially Greece. Lindsay Tanner our federal Finance Minister has recently made some very exciting comments to make me think that peace on the planet is possible.

Australian Federal Minister Tanner pointed out that traditionally European economies in such a mess would usually lead to a situation of war and conquest. But through communication, agreements, negotiation, the euro and the European Union, there is now a high level of connectedness and international co-operation. Although in Australia we tend to only hear about the terrible things that are happening around the world in fact this incredible level of co-operation should be acknowledged as a landmark event for humanity.

Our thinking about conflict has transformed. The present events in Europe a couple of generations ago would have been handled very differently and military conflict would have been a feature. Co-operation and communication are now the cornerstones of civilised societies.

At present throughout the world is  a group of professionals who are committed to developing their skills in this area - they are called facilitators. A facilitator is an individual whose job is to help incorporate all voices in problem solving. For it is when everyone feels truly heard and their opinions respected that a resolution is possible and lasting.  And this surely is the way forward for the planet!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

The Interconnectedness of Species

Hello Everyone


I was a bit taken aback during the week. I was walking along enjoying the beautiful warm autumn day with my friend Chris when another friend caught up to us and said ‘Great weather, isn’t it?’
Chris replied ‘Yes we can all be grateful to global warming for this!’ I detected a strong note of sarcasm and frustration in Chris’s voice. Chris went on to say that every time someone commented on the warm weather then the reply offered would be along the lines of ‘ let’s be thankful to global warming’. This was Chris’s one person’s crusade to wake people up to what is happening on the planet.
Yes the weather is beautifully warm and there are consequences.

According to Professor David Chapple of Monash University many people are not aware of the high extinction rates occurring right now.

About 130 species become extinct each day. This is up to 1000 times greater than the natural extinction rate. Those under threat according to the United Nations are 12% of birds; 21% of mammals; 28% of reptiles; 30% of amphibians; 35% of invertebrates; 37% of freshwater fish and 70% of plants.

In our own ‘backyard’, 20% of the lizard species are at high risk of extinction. On the one hand you might think that we could live without these cute little reptiles but what we may not be able to live without is their importance in the food chain and their interconnectedness with other species. Lizards are important food for birds and snakes and the lizards themselves eat insects.

The importance and interconnectedness of all life forms is one of the key principles developed in permaculture. Perhaps you might like to take up the challenge and learn how you can live more sustainably with permaculture principles.

visit http://www.roztownsend.com/

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Poetise the Planet

Hello Everyone


It is an interesting time in the world right now. Politicians are in disarray as to how we wish to leave the planet for future generations. Around the world we experience hope and disappointment with The Copenhagen Talks being one such example.



Yet there is a ground swell of ecology poetry that is having a huge impact on people’s thoughts and actions. Who else but poets can so eloquently put into words the love and beauty that so many of us feel for nature? Their observations of the world and their love of beauty make them highly qualified to lead a new revolution in sustainability.



The crisis that the planet faces now has given poets the opportunity to speak in a new voice. They can express our basic humanity, our connectedness, our need to conserve resources and our responsibility to cherish diversity.



Consider the following:

It is the opening question from Don McKay’s Strike/Slip

"Who are you?" and concluding,

"You are the momentary mind of rock"

McKay puts the temporary nature of humans on the planet into the wider geological perspective of the earth on which we tread. As these two lines hint, the poem discusses the erosion and self destructive behaviour on the planet. The poem then considers that this is slowly being replaced by a greater understanding of our connectedness to the sacred story of planet earth.

As humans we have developed an incredible ability to think and bring a level of consciousness to our actions and their impact on the planet. It is the elevation of these skills accompanied with ecological poetry which will determine our future.



So it might be appropriate that we visit part of the thought provoking poem Hieroglyphic Stairway by Drew Dillinger. Just suppose we could get the politicians and power brokers to consider its message too… just suppose ecological poets were as highly valued in our society as plastic surgeons, media magnates and TV stars.



it's 3:23 in the morning

and I'm awake

because my great great grandchildren

won't let me sleep

my great great grandchildren

ask me in dreams

what did you do while the planet was plundered?

what did you do when the earth was unraveling?



surely you did something

when the seasons started failing?



as the mammals, reptiles, birds were all dying?



did you fill the streets with protest

when democracy was stolen?



what did you do

once

you

knew?





The power and challenge with which this poem confronts the reader is only surpassed by that of hearing the poem read by Drew Dellinger himself. He describes himself as a spoken word poet and as a recent member of the audience when he visited Australia last year I can state that his own reading is even more challenging and beautiful.



A somewhat less confronting piece of poetry comes from Kathy Sherman:



Touch the earth with gentleness

Touch the earth with love

Touch her with a future

By the way you live today.



Drew Dellinger has a car sticker which he distributes at his workshops it says ‘Planetize the Movement’. Perhaps with the creativity and power that ecological poets present a new car sticker should be distributed ‘Poetise the Planet’!







Works Cited



Dellinger D 2007 love letter to the moon Poets for Global Justice Press



McKay D 2006 Strike/Slip McClelland & Stewart





DVD

Sherman K 2008 Touch the Earth with Gentleness New Zealand Sisters of Mercy

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Composting and Forgiveness

Blog 1 November 2009


Is it possible that recycling could be a spiritual activity?

Composting, for most of us, is nature's own recycling system. It breaks plant matter down into its original nutrient form and then returns that valuable nourishment to the soil.

By composting we give back some of the nutrients we have taken from our soil.

Putting home-grown compost onto gardens also greatly reduces our dependence on chemicals, such as artificial fertilisers and pesticides.

Everything we put into a compost heap is broken down by bacteria and other creatures such as worms and slaters. Air and water also play a crucial role in the life of a compost heap just as they are crucial to human life.

Composting is the best way to reduce food and garden waste.

On average, about half of our household rubbish is food scraps, garden waste and other organic matter that can be composted.

Compost returns nutrients to the soil and improves plant growth by:

· Bringing life back to the soil.
· Helping to break up heavy clay soils.
· Improving the soil's capacity to hold water.
· Adding essential minerals to the soil.

Did you ever think that composting could be a spiritual activity? Here is an interesting tale from Lethea Erz a spiritual psychologist from New Zealand:
Consider that the compost process demonstrates the powers of birth, death and regeneration at an earthly level. It reminds us that we need life to continue renewing itself without our constant intervention.
It also reminds us of the interconnectedness with everything that exists.
In our own small ways with just our own kitchen waste we are given an opportunity to participate in the ongoing sacred process of creating and sustaining life on earth.
May we all enjoy our harvest and make the planet sustainable .
And if you really would like to take on impacting communication on the planet I invite you to take on the distinction
Forgiveness – to give as it was before
Actively bring the distinction Forgiveness to all of your conversations.
Create 2 practices to take into your life using the distinction Forgiveness. Share them with someone.
What does it look like who your being is the distinction Forgiveness in your life, what does this provide for you, your life and others.
Distinguish how being someone committed to Forgiveness makes a difference when you are stopped and share with someone how this will make a difference in your life.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Consciousness and Communication on the Planet

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to my first blog. I would love to hear any responses you might have. My goal is to forward consciousness and communication on the planet.

Do you realise that language is only about 40000 years old for humans? Before language our ancestors would grunt and use gestures or non-verbal communication. Some researchers even say that non-verbal communication still conveys the bulk of the message.

Some of the figures floated suggest that only 7% of the meaning of communication comes through words. 38% of the meaning of communication comes through the tone of our voice and 55% through our body language.

You don’t believe me? Imagine someone growling at you with a scowl on their face “Yes I am happy!” What are you going to believe?

Consider then that we created words and language. We decided what was important. The Eskimos for example have over 70 words for snow. We in Bathurst Australia have only a few.

The words and concepts ‘right’ and ‘wrong ‘ have been very important in our history and development. And a new model of communication is being developed where ‘there is no right or wrong – just different’. I can very clearly remember being instructed in this when we hosted teenagers from other countries.

Moving away from blaming others is a big step for many of us. Yet it is important if we are all to work and live together in harmony.

If what I have said is of interest to you might like to focus on the distinction GENEROSITY for the coming week and do the following activities.



Generosity
Take on listening for what people are committed to. Listen beyond their words and hear what deeply motivates them.
Take on being Generous in your listening of others even when you don’t want to or disagree with them.

Take on being Generous with yourself, notice what new openings for action occur and what results did you produce by doing this.

Practice being Generous during your conversations with people today/tonight. What does this provide for yourself and for team?


Actively bring the distinction Generosity to your conversations for relatedness.

Create 2 practices to take into your life using the distinction Generosity.

What does it look like who you are being is Generous , what does this provide for you, your life and others.

Distinguish how being Generous makes a difference when you are stopped during in life and share how this will make a difference in your life.

Write on the blog and let me know what you have created.
Till next week
Ciao
Roz