As I move back into life here, taking in my surroundings and catching up on what I’ve missed, the paths that lead to safety and those to the mire of overextension are obvious. Upon entering the third trimester of service one must think about what can reasonably be concluded, or risk broken promises and more than a fair share of guilt (what is a reasonable amount of guilt remains for another discussion). My eyes, in general, are bigger than my stomach; the challenge has always been to not overreach. Usually I’ve been able to manage pretty well – this, however, is a completely different situation even after 18 months! The measure of what can or cannot be done is very different while volunteering. It is too easy to see and hear all that needs to be done and develop all sorts of plans. So much depends upon the people with whom you work, the place in which you work, and the things that are needed – some are easily implemented in one place while difficult in another. Given ample time most things are possible; at this point, time slips by like a river in flood: quickly at a high volume.
I feel fairly confident that the completion of our main project, namely the construction of two rainwater catchment tanks, is an attainable goal. This is a very good place to be after facing so much uncertainty. Part of this newfound certitude rests upon trust, and not numbers; I have discovered that sometimes this is the only option for forward movement (though not necessarily acceptable in all cases). This week will see the final draft of the grant proposal, the tying up of some loose ends, and shipping the mess off to the funding agency. That there are groups willing to give of their excess to those with a deficiency is extremely helpful.
The thought that so little money can accomplish so much outside of the States raises difficult questions as to Why? Why and How? In discovering the manner by which money can circulate throughout the world, and how wealth is often acquired by those-who-need-least from those-who-need-most, I find myself considering how to manage my own (or at the moment, what passes through my hands). That the acquisition of money is not the key to a fulfilled life should be an obvious truth, though contrary to our consumer ethos - other things are much more valuable. That money does grease the wheels, and that those who find themselves without are often locked in dire straits cannot be, nor should be denied. But these are not reasons to follow our American hubris of “more is always better.” Along with wealth comes the responsibility to use or invest it wisely. What better investment can there be than the betterment of humanity? To find ways to extend the fortune we have been afforded in a personally comfortable way to others? I hope that wherever I live, with whatever wealth I am gifted, I will find ways to share it as well as possible. Thankfully there are many worthy organizations, missions, and projects that can facilitate this basic effort (and those that don’t – check before you give!). The effort of turning wealth, over and above what is needed for the individual and family to live reasonably, into opportunity and compassion for those without. Americans are, by most measures, a charitable people. I think we can and must do more.
I recently finished reading Build Your Own Earth Oven by Kiko Denzen. Note the imperitive nature of the title. My plan is to do just that (this seems a reasonable undertaking), and further to explore the possibility of building permanent structures with cob (a clay, sand, and straw mixture) and other less invasive/extractive materials. These options are increasingly attractive, especially when the negative effects of overused resources upon the land are so glaringly obvious. See above: living reasonably. There are a lot of us here. Managing our consumption wisely, on an individual level, is quickly becoming a moral imperative. I imagine that before too long there choice to conserve or not will no longer be available.
As an addendum to the previous paragraph: wise usage does not mean no usage. It means just what it says, wise usage. Wisdom in this area is something of which we are in short popular supply.
I feel fairly confident that the completion of our main project, namely the construction of two rainwater catchment tanks, is an attainable goal. This is a very good place to be after facing so much uncertainty. Part of this newfound certitude rests upon trust, and not numbers; I have discovered that sometimes this is the only option for forward movement (though not necessarily acceptable in all cases). This week will see the final draft of the grant proposal, the tying up of some loose ends, and shipping the mess off to the funding agency. That there are groups willing to give of their excess to those with a deficiency is extremely helpful.
The thought that so little money can accomplish so much outside of the States raises difficult questions as to Why? Why and How? In discovering the manner by which money can circulate throughout the world, and how wealth is often acquired by those-who-need-least from those-who-need-most, I find myself considering how to manage my own (or at the moment, what passes through my hands). That the acquisition of money is not the key to a fulfilled life should be an obvious truth, though contrary to our consumer ethos - other things are much more valuable. That money does grease the wheels, and that those who find themselves without are often locked in dire straits cannot be, nor should be denied. But these are not reasons to follow our American hubris of “more is always better.” Along with wealth comes the responsibility to use or invest it wisely. What better investment can there be than the betterment of humanity? To find ways to extend the fortune we have been afforded in a personally comfortable way to others? I hope that wherever I live, with whatever wealth I am gifted, I will find ways to share it as well as possible. Thankfully there are many worthy organizations, missions, and projects that can facilitate this basic effort (and those that don’t – check before you give!). The effort of turning wealth, over and above what is needed for the individual and family to live reasonably, into opportunity and compassion for those without. Americans are, by most measures, a charitable people. I think we can and must do more.
I recently finished reading Build Your Own Earth Oven by Kiko Denzen. Note the imperitive nature of the title. My plan is to do just that (this seems a reasonable undertaking), and further to explore the possibility of building permanent structures with cob (a clay, sand, and straw mixture) and other less invasive/extractive materials. These options are increasingly attractive, especially when the negative effects of overused resources upon the land are so glaringly obvious. See above: living reasonably. There are a lot of us here. Managing our consumption wisely, on an individual level, is quickly becoming a moral imperative. I imagine that before too long there choice to conserve or not will no longer be available.
As an addendum to the previous paragraph: wise usage does not mean no usage. It means just what it says, wise usage. Wisdom in this area is something of which we are in short popular supply.
posted by peter at 01:05
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