Catalyst to Action

Right, the raspberries are in. Click here to jump to the main site and see the other pictures of the garden work this weekend.

Preparing mentally for a certain collapse of the now without being able to see the uncertain tomorrow is exhausting. It is a lonely task and it makes no friends. The facts eventually convince your friends and family, but at the cost of depression. However action, any positive action that has immediate benefits for you and those around you has an immediate benefit. My decision to go ahead and garden here on TJ's property has changed the way people near this place act towards TJ and I. It may be simply that people trust and talk to people who are planting things. Growing things, like walking dogs, rarely comes from the bad place. Gardening comes from the loving side, the creation side (even if we're going to eat them up later!). But I think there is something more. Action is a catalyst to further action, and here's the piece I'm after, people in action are more open to change and new information.

I have noticed that when I push forward without any clarity at all on how this might actually help me survive what comes, and begin to plant trees, garden, and berry vines that I feel much better about my future. Planting a tree, planting berries, ACTING in the REAL world, seems to create a positive feedback loop. Neighbors stop and talk and participate in the planting and garden changes. This weaves TJ and me into the community fabric in a way that talking about peak oil never wood. I feel the boundries of future tribe expanding to include those that are close and helpful. I think the difference is that both TJ and I are acting, doing rather than just talking, and the action has the ability to open people up to other forms of communication.
So I'm thinking that doing anything is better than sitting and waiting for the right thing that will position you best for what comes. So if you get a chance, act on what you believe, as it is a powerful tool of change for those around you as well as yourself. I'm working tomorrow, I'm headed to bed!
Back at work - where I was going with this is linked to an article I read in Orion magazine by Kunstler. He is very frustrated. Read his article here!