Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Prompt for second reading in Getting a Grip
I am writing this prompt on an impulse--I don't even have Getting the Grip 2 in my possession yet but as I start to read the text reflections and blog posts below (no problem, you can always blog rather than turn in) , I am inspired to just respond and invite you, for next week, to draw both draw from the text and to write about where you are now in your thinking about the world, your role, acceptance of and desire to escape from hard truths. . .and the energy, people, activities, distractions that bring you hope and peace in the midst of it all.
First, I want to say that I have many if not all of the sentiments that many of you express--both of powerlessness and also many small glimpses of hope or the feeling that at least I will do the little that I can do and that is something. But, I often feel frustrated with the world and with myself--I am more than twice your age, and I am still asking all of the same questions and wondering what am I really doing to have an impact or contribute in any positive sense to the shift that I believe is so necessary? I worry about the world that my children (and all of you) are inheriting. At the same time, every age in history has had huge challenges. Possibly what is different now is that we have the technology to "better" destroy the world--but at the same time, the technology, the knowledge, and the consciousness to do a much better job at re-creating ourselves and our shared reality.
In yesterday's class we talked about the relationship between knowledge, awareness, our own ability to think, reflect, reason, create and what it means to live in a participatory democracy in which, yes, we do have a lot more power and "freedom" than we would have under a totalitarian regime and many, many of these still do exist. Yet, the awareness/the truth does not set us free, does it? And it depends what we think it means to be free. But is ignorance really bliss? I think of a quote by the ironic French philosopher/cultural theorist, Jean Baudrillard, who said, "The deepest desire is perhaps to give responsibility for one's desire to someone else." Sometimes, yes, it is so difficult to even say or know what we really want because once we know, we may feel obliged and/or compelled to act on/with that knowledge.
Knowledge is painful. I feel that all the time. There is truly a lot of pain in the world. Knowledge can make us feel stuck, and wanting to just turn it all off--because what can we do in the face of all of this? At the same time, we can keep putting one foot in front of the other, using the knowledge that we have to at least make the changes that we can--in our own behavior. We can do the little that we can--isn't that a better choice than ignorance? What do you think? What does Lappé say about this? And is feeling futile and frustrated and stuck the worst thing in the world? We could actually BE literally imprisoned or without any choices. I remember feeling at 20 like my prison was the space between the bars. I had choices that I didn't want at the time, that I wasn't prepared to make. I didn't know who or what I was going to be when I grew up. But guess what? I still don't know! And now I am glad to be able to have choices and to be able to continue growing and learning--even when I feel angry and frustrated. The great Southern writer, Flannery O'Connor wrote that: "The way to despair is to refuse to have any kind of experience." And educator/activist bell hooks states: "I will not have my life narrowed down. I will not bow down to somebody else’s whim or to someone else's ignorance." We can chose experience over withdrawal and despair. We can expand our lives and resist the "narrowing" down of our own lives and perspectives by the limited understanding and views of others. Right?
First, I want to say that I have many if not all of the sentiments that many of you express--both of powerlessness and also many small glimpses of hope or the feeling that at least I will do the little that I can do and that is something. But, I often feel frustrated with the world and with myself--I am more than twice your age, and I am still asking all of the same questions and wondering what am I really doing to have an impact or contribute in any positive sense to the shift that I believe is so necessary? I worry about the world that my children (and all of you) are inheriting. At the same time, every age in history has had huge challenges. Possibly what is different now is that we have the technology to "better" destroy the world--but at the same time, the technology, the knowledge, and the consciousness to do a much better job at re-creating ourselves and our shared reality.
In yesterday's class we talked about the relationship between knowledge, awareness, our own ability to think, reflect, reason, create and what it means to live in a participatory democracy in which, yes, we do have a lot more power and "freedom" than we would have under a totalitarian regime and many, many of these still do exist. Yet, the awareness/the truth does not set us free, does it? And it depends what we think it means to be free. But is ignorance really bliss? I think of a quote by the ironic French philosopher/cultural theorist, Jean Baudrillard, who said, "The deepest desire is perhaps to give responsibility for one's desire to someone else." Sometimes, yes, it is so difficult to even say or know what we really want because once we know, we may feel obliged and/or compelled to act on/with that knowledge.
Knowledge is painful. I feel that all the time. There is truly a lot of pain in the world. Knowledge can make us feel stuck, and wanting to just turn it all off--because what can we do in the face of all of this? At the same time, we can keep putting one foot in front of the other, using the knowledge that we have to at least make the changes that we can--in our own behavior. We can do the little that we can--isn't that a better choice than ignorance? What do you think? What does Lappé say about this? And is feeling futile and frustrated and stuck the worst thing in the world? We could actually BE literally imprisoned or without any choices. I remember feeling at 20 like my prison was the space between the bars. I had choices that I didn't want at the time, that I wasn't prepared to make. I didn't know who or what I was going to be when I grew up. But guess what? I still don't know! And now I am glad to be able to have choices and to be able to continue growing and learning--even when I feel angry and frustrated. The great Southern writer, Flannery O'Connor wrote that: "The way to despair is to refuse to have any kind of experience." And educator/activist bell hooks states: "I will not have my life narrowed down. I will not bow down to somebody else’s whim or to someone else's ignorance." We can chose experience over withdrawal and despair. We can expand our lives and resist the "narrowing" down of our own lives and perspectives by the limited understanding and views of others. Right?
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Getting a grip on my power
There are many issues in this world such as environmental damages to this earth, world hunger and living sustainably. When it comes to the environment, I make sure to use a reusable water bottle, I recycle, carpool-I do little things that I am sure a lot of people do. When it comes to sustainable living, I eat organically and share my knowledge of sustainable living to others. I have grown up with the mindset that making little changes can be a part of the greater good. However I do feel powerless when I think that I can make a large difference in this world. Everyone has their own life to worry about, many people to do little things everyday that impacts their life along with others but I can't help to think that I am just one person, can what I do really make a difference? This world is so large it is sometimes hard to grasp the concept of change when I feel so powerless when it comes to major problems in this world.
After reading Power and Love and starting to read Getting A Grip, I am starting to see that the little changes to make a difference and I am starting to see more options of helping the world and my life in ways I did not before. When I am in the grocery store I take more time not just getting the first label that says organic but I am looking for locally grown foods, going to farmers markets and finding ways to give back to the farmers rather than giving my money away to a large corporation. Through reading the texts and hearing various speakers speak to us,I have been able to share my knowledge to my friends and family. It has given me this new sense of power that I did not have before. I like being able to teach them new facts and it makes me feel good about myself knowing I am helping others along the way.
Out of the five qualities she talks about, learned and not automatic and power creating, not controlling where the two that stood out to me the most when I think about what I have learned about so far in this class. I have learned that it takes time to open peoples minds up to new ideas and it is not going to always be accepted right away but that is the power of change and moving forward to get to that greater good. Understanding that there is a difference between teaching people and telling people. Teaching is a process just like learning and practice only makes perfect. After learning something it must be applied to the real world, in everyday life, and that is how change occurs in this world. It happens gradually, not automatically over night.
When I went to the Novato High to pass out food, I did not have very high expectations for it. I assumed the kids would just walk right past us and nothing very interesting was going to come out of it. I was surprised when kids actually listened to what we were saying and seemed interesting in learning about it. We did not get anyone to sign up for gleaning but the fact that I was able to let them know some information was empowering for me. The facts I told them hopefully they will think a little more about what the eating and where it is coming from and maybe even encourage their parents to look into more sustainable living and buying locally. To some other people it might not seem like I made that much of a difference but if opened up one kids eyes to see how they can make a difference in their eating habits that is good enough for me.
I am starting to learn now that by taking the knowledge I have and sharing it with others, is helping out and being powerful. I am definetly going to be looking into more organizations that I can join and finding projects I can lend my hands to so that way I can empower others with the knowldge I am learning over this course.
After reading Power and Love and starting to read Getting A Grip, I am starting to see that the little changes to make a difference and I am starting to see more options of helping the world and my life in ways I did not before. When I am in the grocery store I take more time not just getting the first label that says organic but I am looking for locally grown foods, going to farmers markets and finding ways to give back to the farmers rather than giving my money away to a large corporation. Through reading the texts and hearing various speakers speak to us,I have been able to share my knowledge to my friends and family. It has given me this new sense of power that I did not have before. I like being able to teach them new facts and it makes me feel good about myself knowing I am helping others along the way.
Out of the five qualities she talks about, learned and not automatic and power creating, not controlling where the two that stood out to me the most when I think about what I have learned about so far in this class. I have learned that it takes time to open peoples minds up to new ideas and it is not going to always be accepted right away but that is the power of change and moving forward to get to that greater good. Understanding that there is a difference between teaching people and telling people. Teaching is a process just like learning and practice only makes perfect. After learning something it must be applied to the real world, in everyday life, and that is how change occurs in this world. It happens gradually, not automatically over night.
When I went to the Novato High to pass out food, I did not have very high expectations for it. I assumed the kids would just walk right past us and nothing very interesting was going to come out of it. I was surprised when kids actually listened to what we were saying and seemed interesting in learning about it. We did not get anyone to sign up for gleaning but the fact that I was able to let them know some information was empowering for me. The facts I told them hopefully they will think a little more about what the eating and where it is coming from and maybe even encourage their parents to look into more sustainable living and buying locally. To some other people it might not seem like I made that much of a difference but if opened up one kids eyes to see how they can make a difference in their eating habits that is good enough for me.
I am starting to learn now that by taking the knowledge I have and sharing it with others, is helping out and being powerful. I am definetly going to be looking into more organizations that I can join and finding projects I can lend my hands to so that way I can empower others with the knowldge I am learning over this course.
IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU...WAIT WHAT?!
"Feeling powerless, we're robbed of energy and creativity, with hearts left open to fear, despair, and depression...For a lot of us, there is no big answer to 'why'. Things just keep happening. We know we're not in control, and it seems like no one is....Brecht implies that inaction proves callousness. But I believe it proves something else: Mainly we don't reach out to save the millions because we have no idea how this tragedy came to be or how it could ever end. We feel powerless." (4)
Too often and too cliche-like I know, but I have often submerse myself to the beck and call of certain members of the opposite gender. In a rather innocent sense, I have always taken it upon me to be a fusion between a nurturing mother, best friend, and Snow White rolled up in one for these selected males. A friend however, preferred to simply call me a fairy tale princess due to the exuberance of joy in my voice and demeanor. It was obviously quite a contrast between my normal monotone and lack than zealous mannerisms to the overly heighten current state. I chose to take on this difficult task of portraying these three roles due to my own weakness, my heart. As I have stated multiple times, my heart has always been my biggest strength as well weakness. When I care deeply, I act as if it will be eternal and it is my life goal to make everything in the subject/s of my choosing to be the very best ever. If it is anything less than the best, it is not good enough for them, everything is over, and I am to blame. OR so I act as such. In reality, it is rarely over and I am hardly ever to blame. I just take on to the position so easily. I do sincerely want everything to be perfect, but the expense of that cost is anything short of cheap or exhausting. I have lost myself multiples in spells of doing it. It has went as me saying being verbally abused on the daily was not only okay but I deserved that treatment too. I felt like anytime I would "mess up", I needed to be yelled at for discipline or even just criticized to declare my wrongs. This game went too far like most games do often. I not only started to welcome the abuse, but if I did not receive it, I would lecture myself instead. I felt utterly powerless and weak. It was a painful, recurring pattern that I felt trapped in eternally. At the times, I could have left so easily but with my narrow vision, I saw no exit. I just saw entrapment day after day. Fortunately, this summer I spent a lot of time with only myself. I started to spend time thinking and truly thinking about the whole ordeals of these "trapping" situations. I realized the truths. 1) It was really hardly my fault when something flops 2)It is not even my responsibility to take care of anyone that extremely 3)Things sometimes just do not work out well and I have to be okay with it. 4)I'm a person, too. I worked on this new mindset all summer long. I am finally at peace at finding balance with caring for myself and others. I can care for all just not them more than myself. It is not healthy or even practical.
"2) Values-guided, not dogma-given"
I think the message of this one quality in particular has left the most severe effect for me and this colloquium. I have always the humanitarian bug in me, but this quality just intensified it more. Lappe states Americans feel reluctant to help one another because they see one another as more divided than together. If only, they could see the "deeply shared values." I believe that is quite similar to our beginning days of this colloquium. Many of us felt like we did not have much in common with our peers other than taking this class or perhaps, our major. Now with almost just a month left of this colloquium, we could see this not the case anymore. We may not be identical with one another which is only understandable, but we can see a lot more similarity than thought previously. At the start of this term, I thought gleaning had commendable meaning behind but the process of gathering the products was rather tedious to be frank. Also I thought a good share of my peers might ignore my first statement but would agree with the latter. I was thankfully surprised to learn I was mistaken. A good share of my peers enjoyed the gleaning process tremendously and are a good majority of the activism breed as well. As much as gleaning may not be my ideal cup of tea, it has however, made an impact on how I treat my activist side. I used to think my opinions would not change anyone or even broaden someone's horizons. Since this past Thursday when we as a group sold our gleaning items as well informing the DU campus about gleaning, it altered my perspective. I realized I do have a voice that change someone's mindset or at the very least, add more to their current thoughts. As I stated earlier, I have/had a tendency to make my own thoughts and opinions low key to others. Well, not anymore. I mean I still refuse to suffocate anyone with my opinions. I however though, will not be as timid or reserved with stating my thoughts and ideas. I will speak my mind more. Who knows? Maybe I won't change the world by myself, but who says one voice cannot help to bring the other voices together? I won't take it lying down not anymore.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
FACE YOUR FOOD
A friend of mine who lives in Amsterdam is working with this non-profit. They just opened a SF office. You can make your own video--check it out.
JOIN THE FACE YOUR FOOD CAMPAIGN AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR FAIRFOOD'S GOALS OF ACHIEVING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS RECORD YOURSELF WHILE EATING A FOOD PRODUCT OF YOUR CHOICE AND THIS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY SLOWED DOWN AND PLAYED BACKWARDS. YOU CAN THEN SHARE YOUR VIDEO WITH YOUR FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK!
JOIN THE FACE YOUR FOOD CAMPAIGN AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR FAIRFOOD'S GOALS OF ACHIEVING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS RECORD YOURSELF WHILE EATING A FOOD PRODUCT OF YOUR CHOICE AND THIS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY SLOWED DOWN AND PLAYED BACKWARDS. YOU CAN THEN SHARE YOUR VIDEO WITH YOUR FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK!
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