Most of you have probably heard the phrase "Think Globally, Act Locally", but what does this really mean? To me it means to be aware of as much as possible that is happening around you in this world, but to do what you can in the area close to you. This actually starts with yourself! Firstly, lets try to take better care of ourselves by eating healthy (like out of the garden I mentioned earlier! ), being compassionate with ourselves, exercising (bike riding lowers your global footprint!) and generally living a balanced lifestyle. When we are feeling good then we have more energy to contribute more to the community. We don't have the capacity to fix the world by ourselves, but we do have the capacity to make a big difference when we act in our own communities. If we all act in our own communities and cities then together we will have a better world.
In order to make this work not only do we have to learn to better take care of ourselves, we also have to encourage one another and teach each other. I feel that the city can help too.
The city can encourage better care of oneself through helping to fund or pay for doctoring and medicine that helps prevent and heal illness rather then mask it. Calgary council can encourage citizens to act more locally by offering tax breaks to citizens that help make the city more sustainable (cyclists, car poolers, homes with edible gardens, etc..) For example, the city has offered tax breaks for home reno etc... so why not for a sustainable garden?
I think it would also be great if the City promoted more of the positive movements happening in the city. These include sustainable Alberta, Arusha, Permaculture Calgary Guild, Evolver, Zeitgeist, Calgary Food Policy Council and many more. There isn't really any City of Calgary promotion of the many movements toward positive change happening in our city. The only way you find out about them is by stumbling upon a website, looking very hard or happening to meet the right person at the right time. I believe if more citizens were made aware of these movements, Calgarians would be more active.
*Some good things to note: The city does offer rain barrels and composters for free a couple times a year when you take a free water workshop. Nenshi is also promoting the 3 things for Calgary- This is a start - Thanks Nenshi!*
Another thing to keep in mind when we say Act Locally, is also about supporting local business. This can be done individually and by the city. Individually, shopping locally has a lot of value! It lowers carbon foot print, encourages community, often we get better quality goods, and we really get to support one another. The city can encourage local business by promoting the businesses, Shopping locally themselves and also offering things like capped rent for owners selling local goods etc...
I am sure there are many more ways that we can really act locally, but the important thing to note is that any amount of local support or positive action is amazing. The littlest things still do make a contribution. Please remember that it starts with you. Although there are many ways the city can help, we have to take responsibility in taking individual action as well!
I challenge you to take at least one positive action everyday (big or small) that leads to making your life better, your communities life better and in turn the world better!
In love and light,
Kym Chi
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Solution #2- Integrate Rather than Segregate!
Integrate rather than segregate is actually one of the most valuable permaculture principles. It speaks to looking at how things can work together as a whole instead of separating everything that is different and grouping everything together that is the same.
We see this alot in our society whether it be in schools with cliques, in agriculture with monoculture, in our communities with cultural differences and in our current class system with upper, middle and lower class. When we have too many of the same things grouped together in a system it eventually causes for that system to become stagnant as it ends up with too much of one thing and not enough of another.
How can we go about fixing this?
I know that when I was younger I was taught that being different was bad, that thinking outside of the box was silly. How many other children are being taught this? Most of us are taught to think within the current system instead of being encouraged to think of ways things could be different. We perpetuate the cycle of segregation and we constantly fight integration. The reality is that integration is the natural way. If you look at a thriving natural system you see that there is a lot of diversity to make that system function. It operates successfully and abundantly only because of the diversity it offers. If we took this model into our current system we could also operate more efficiently. I propose that we spend more time encouraging students in schools to think outside of the box. This can be done by offering various teaching styles to students, surveying students and asking them for ideas on how we can do things differently and rewarding them for having different ideas instead of making them feel outcasted or silly. Encourage children to learn from each others differences and understand the value in diversity instead of being fearful of it. The reason why I focus so much on schooling as our youth are our future and I know much of the thought patterns I have struggled to turn around come from my childhood and youth, we should start there.
Breeding openness to ideas amongst our youth will also open up our next generation to diversity and acceptance. It will allow for others to really see the value in differences and alternative ideas. In turn we will have a diverse system with enough of everything to make it function as a whole.
Love and Light,
Kym Chi
We see this alot in our society whether it be in schools with cliques, in agriculture with monoculture, in our communities with cultural differences and in our current class system with upper, middle and lower class. When we have too many of the same things grouped together in a system it eventually causes for that system to become stagnant as it ends up with too much of one thing and not enough of another.
How can we go about fixing this?
I know that when I was younger I was taught that being different was bad, that thinking outside of the box was silly. How many other children are being taught this? Most of us are taught to think within the current system instead of being encouraged to think of ways things could be different. We perpetuate the cycle of segregation and we constantly fight integration. The reality is that integration is the natural way. If you look at a thriving natural system you see that there is a lot of diversity to make that system function. It operates successfully and abundantly only because of the diversity it offers. If we took this model into our current system we could also operate more efficiently. I propose that we spend more time encouraging students in schools to think outside of the box. This can be done by offering various teaching styles to students, surveying students and asking them for ideas on how we can do things differently and rewarding them for having different ideas instead of making them feel outcasted or silly. Encourage children to learn from each others differences and understand the value in diversity instead of being fearful of it. The reason why I focus so much on schooling as our youth are our future and I know much of the thought patterns I have struggled to turn around come from my childhood and youth, we should start there.
Breeding openness to ideas amongst our youth will also open up our next generation to diversity and acceptance. It will allow for others to really see the value in differences and alternative ideas. In turn we will have a diverse system with enough of everything to make it function as a whole.
Love and Light,
Kym Chi
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Solution #1 - More Gardens, Less Lawns
Imagine waking up in the morning and walking out your door into your garden and picking fresh berries for breakfast. Harvesting fresh lettuce and veggies for a salad for lunch. Coming home after a long day picking fresh herbs on your way in and cooking them with fresh veggies from your own backyard. Sound good? Would you give up your lawn for this? I would!
Lawns use way more energy then they are worth. People spend time, money and resources taking care of their lawns that they barely use. If we could encourage people to grow gardens instead of lawns it would solve many problems. Our resources would be going into food production which would provide healthy produce, connection to the food cycle and if built strategically allow for soil health and regeneration .
As we live in a city where many live in apartments or condos, I propose that the city makes it easier to build community gardens without having to jump through so many hoops. Every person should have the rights to growing their own food, and I know we have the public land to accomadate this. Community gardens provide food for the entire community, for those with the means to feed themselves and for those without. They act as example to the collective whole that growing your own food is possible and build strength in this collective as these gardens promote sharing and a way for people to contribute.
I also propose that we teach sustainable gardening as a mandatory subject in schools and we allow and encourage for schools to have gardens that the students can eat from. Our youth should spend more time learning about food production as food is an integral part of life.
Growing our own food individually and as a community will save the city money as they may use less resources to maintain (if planted sustainably. Ex. no monoculture, water alternatives etc..) and they can help to feed those in need which avoids using tax payers money for food banks etc... Sharing the knowledge of food production with our youth will give them tools to be more sustainable and therefore may result in less reliance on the system for future generations.
The connection to the earth that gardening and cultivating our own food provides is immeasurable. When we feel connected to the earth and to our food we will treat it with more respect. Our intentions will be more pure and we will want to take care of the earth that provides us with so much.
Having the ability to have an abundance of food would relieve the fear of going without. I believe that when we are not in fear of not having enough we are less likely to overconsume and more likely to give back. We would be less likely to steal or cheat. We would be more likely to want to help.
So here you have just one example of how to make this world a better place. Now, lets take action!!!
In light and love,
Kym Chi
Lawns use way more energy then they are worth. People spend time, money and resources taking care of their lawns that they barely use. If we could encourage people to grow gardens instead of lawns it would solve many problems. Our resources would be going into food production which would provide healthy produce, connection to the food cycle and if built strategically allow for soil health and regeneration .
As we live in a city where many live in apartments or condos, I propose that the city makes it easier to build community gardens without having to jump through so many hoops. Every person should have the rights to growing their own food, and I know we have the public land to accomadate this. Community gardens provide food for the entire community, for those with the means to feed themselves and for those without. They act as example to the collective whole that growing your own food is possible and build strength in this collective as these gardens promote sharing and a way for people to contribute.
I also propose that we teach sustainable gardening as a mandatory subject in schools and we allow and encourage for schools to have gardens that the students can eat from. Our youth should spend more time learning about food production as food is an integral part of life.
Growing our own food individually and as a community will save the city money as they may use less resources to maintain (if planted sustainably. Ex. no monoculture, water alternatives etc..) and they can help to feed those in need which avoids using tax payers money for food banks etc... Sharing the knowledge of food production with our youth will give them tools to be more sustainable and therefore may result in less reliance on the system for future generations.
The connection to the earth that gardening and cultivating our own food provides is immeasurable. When we feel connected to the earth and to our food we will treat it with more respect. Our intentions will be more pure and we will want to take care of the earth that provides us with so much.
Having the ability to have an abundance of food would relieve the fear of going without. I believe that when we are not in fear of not having enough we are less likely to overconsume and more likely to give back. We would be less likely to steal or cheat. We would be more likely to want to help.
So here you have just one example of how to make this world a better place. Now, lets take action!!!
In light and love,
Kym Chi
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Why Am I at Occupy Calgary
I am not for this movement because I am the 99%, or because I am the 1%. I am in full support of this movement because I am part of the 100 percent. Not just the 100% of Calgary, but 100% of the entire globe.
We have all contributed to our current state in one way or another and we must take responsibility for this individually and as a collective whole.
There is no sense in singling out the 1%, dwelling on past decisions or thinking of what we could have done differently. We cannot go back and we cannot change the past.
However, WE CAN change the present and in turn our future. I am not saying this is easy, just that it is possible.
It might seem overwhelming, taking on a change of the magnitude we are asking and hoping for, but it can happen and I believe it will. It is not going to happen just by talking about the problems, nor is it going to happen if we ignore them and pretend they don’t exist. The change will happen because we are coming together to acknowledge the issues, share suggestions, support and offer solutions. This is why I am at Occupy Calgary.
Since being at Olympic Plaza on October 15, 2011, we have spent a lot of time speaking out about the concerns we have of our current state and how we want our world to be. This has been eye opening and inspiring, but we haven’t had much opportunity to speak of solutions. Taking action to better this world is something I am very passionate about, and I hope to share some solutions and possible action plans with those eager for change, as well as reach out to those who might not be aware of our current need for it.
The answers that I believe I have are all based on the Permaculture ethics system broken down into 3 categories; Care of Earth, Care of People and Return of Surplus.
I have quite a few suggestions to share, so for interests sake I have decided to write possible solutions positive change one at a time on my blog. I hope that you will take the time to comment on these suggestions and also feel free to elaborate on them or make your own suggestions.
The answers do exist and we all have the power to take action on them. It isn’t necessarily easy to do, especially when the solutions mean we may have to drastically change our lifestyles, and our entire consciousness. I urge you to try. The outcomes will be worthwhile. I know this because the world I live in is a world of change.
My world is a world filled with joy, abundance and love. My world is a better place because I connect with the earth, because I love myself and others and because I give back. My world is not filled with material things, my world is filled with life. I dont want to live in this world alone. I want you to be here! We are all an integral part of the solution. Choose to step out of the problem to be a part of the answers by turning off your tv, waking up and embracing community. Please recognize that change is possible, change is happening and we are change.
Stay tuned for some great solutions and in the meantime go check out whats happening at the Occupy Movement!
In light and love,
Kym Chi
Thursday, August 11, 2011
I Love Cob!
I recently returned from a 9 day Cob building Intensive in Port Townsend Washington. The Intensive was held by Cob Cottage Company out of Coquille, Oregon.
Although, you can never really be sure of anything until you experience it, I was quite positive that I was going to enjoy this course, and wow was I ever surprised. Not only did I enjoy the course, but I absolutely loved it and could not have predicted how awesome it was actually going to be!
I learned about the existence of Cob about 9 years ago, and was interested in learning the craft as soon as I heard about it. I kept putting off the workshops because I didn't have any land to build on and wanted to wait until I could build right away. Finally last winter, i decided I was tired of waiting for the land to come and that I just wanted to go for it!
This is when I started looking into courses and decided to sign up for this one, along with the PDC. Both of these courses changed my life, and I cant believe I waited so long!
When I read the course description for the Cob Intensive, it said that I would be able to build my own dwelling once the course was complete. I was a little skeptical, but thought any amount of learning would be good learning and I can always expand later.
To my great surprise, when the course was done, I did/do feel confident to build my own dwelling! There isn't anything too much more empowering than that! (aside from permaculture :) )
Aside from the empowerment that comes from being able to build your own dwelling (in a completely sustainable way, and for very little money), the course also came with building amazing community (or Cobmunity - as we called it lol).
When 20 of us arrived at the course, i expected it would take a couple days for all of us to find our comfort zones and really start to know each other. Wrong again. Within about 4 hrs (some within 5 min) we were all a big family. So much respect, caring and open communication. It is amazing that when you build something that connects you so deeply with the earth around you, it automatically connects you with the people around you too.
There was a firm understanding that those of us interested in rolling around in mud all day are a bit of a minority, but that we can all support each other in bringing these awesome lifestyles into the world. When we left the course, i think we all took a little piece of each other with us and we all left feeling empowered to bring our new found skill (s) back into our home communities.
When I got back home to Calgary, I went through a bit of culture shock... I miss waking up and stomping on Cob first thing in the morning... I miss the composting toilet and outdoor shower... I miss waking up with a giant tree over my head...but most of all I miss my cobmunity! After a few days of the major shock, i remember that I have a great community here too, that I love oh so dearly! So back to the Urban Farm it was, back to volunteering with the Permaculture Calgary Guild, BAck to Evolver meetings.Then I realized... WOW what a beautiful life I have. How blessed I am to be able to be a part of such wonderful communities all over :) I have family everywhere I go and it is all through living a holistic lifestyle that I am able to have this. Thank you Universe!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Oh Nature.. You make me smile :)
Ok, So my mom got me this great trinket box, made out of an orange! It is decorated with sealed flowers and leaves. What an awesome way to use what might be otherwise be wasted. I looove it! Now this inspired me to make a 3d Mandala on Papyrus that is made with Moss, Calendula, Safflower and crystals :) It is called the Mirror effect, it is meant to cause reflection on the understanding of "As above, So below".
Much Love!
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