Courage (from Latin: coeur):
To tell the story of who you are with your whole heart
I have had three significant dreams recently. I’m not a dream analyst. I don’t believe every dream is important. In my case, most are just a carry on of what I have been reading or watching or thinking about during the day. But occasionally I dream something that has some significance in my life. I do believe in the prophetic nature of some dreams. I don’t have them very often, and that I had three in close succession made me take notice. The last two were on the same night. I was up feeding baby between them :)
I won’t go into it all here, but they left me with the following thoughts/emotions.
I was talking with D in the kitchen the other day, and remarked “Imagine if we only had one bowl, one spoon and one cup each? Think how easy it would be to do the dishes?“ We went further and imagined less and less stuff. “How about only two sets of clothes each?” A long discussion brought us to the conclusion that our culture is driven by greed. Always wanting more, whether you need it or not.
In our society, there is a certain amount of pressure to follow a path that looks something like this:
Study hard to get a good job, work hard to earn as much as possible, get married, have a couple of kids, send them to school to work hard to get a good job. Meanwhile, buy a house, borrow as much as you can to get the biggest and nicest house possible. Work hard for the next 30-40 years to pay off the mortgage and eek out some sort of a retirement for yourself. All the way along, buy as much lovely stuff as you can. Keep upgrading to the latest computer, phone, car and entertainment centre. This requires a large income and /or more debt and eventually a bigger house. Work work and more work. Both parents will probably have to work to sustain this ‘lifestyle’, and the result is debt, excessively busy lives, and less and less quality family time together. And what sort of a life is that?
Fill it up, build a bigger one
I’m sure I’m not the only one who find this whole process pointless. All that work and stress to have more stuff, but less time and energy to really enjoy it.
A friend posted the above quote from Socrates on facebook just a day or so after D and I had talked about these things, and it got me thinking more. Really. I mean I really don’t need or want all this stuff. I spend so many hours of my life managing our possessions. How many hours do I spend doing meaningful things? Well, since I am caring for children, I guess quite a few, but not as many as I could if only I wasn’t forever cleaning the house, tidying toys, washing clothes, shopping for food, cooking it, doing the dishes etc.
The good life. What is it?
I want to spend time with those I love. This means my husband and four young children, my parents and brother and extended family (who are overseas). It means my friends (some here, some far away). I want to have quality relationships, where we really know and love each other. Relationships which are mutually supportive, inspiring, and bring out the best in each other.
I want to have time to do something meaningful in the world. Making life a little more as God intended it for one person. Or two. Or more. Hopefully more. To help those who weren’t born into the privilege I was. And to learn from them too.
I want to have time to learn. I am so hungry to learn about so many things. It’s a real shame I wasn’t interested in my school days because now I find myself interested in a whole range of things I once didn’t care about. Politics, history, literature, economics, sociology, philosophy. Probably more.
I want to teach my children everything I know (which is not much) and give them a glimpse of the myriad things I don’t. I want to inspire them to become all that they can. I want the ability to travel with them, to show them a world so different from their own, so much bigger that what they currently know.
I could go on. But none of the things that are truly important to me have anything to do with owning stuff. (Except maybe books. I can’t help that)
This leads me to my point. (Yes, I know…it was a long time coming).
I want to get rid of all the crap in my life.
I don’t want my life cluttered with baubles and trinkets that I don’t need, and that prevent me from really living. I want the freedom that comes from being content with what I have and not always wanting more.
This is not going to happen overnight. I’m not even sure what it will look like in practise. I do know that for starters there are things I’m not using in my home that I can give away or sell.
It has yet to be seen how far I can/will go on this. The pull of our greedy capitalistic culture is strong, so it’s not easy to live in a city and live simply. But I’m sure going to try; I will start by down sizing, down grading, cleaning out and giving away. Eventually I hope to answer the question :
Around the time just prior to starting the Zimbabwe project, and over the months that have followed, I have been making myself aware of some of the issues around poverty, particularly extreme poverty in developing nations. I have let myself be shocked at the statistics. I mean really let myself think about what they mean. The numbers are so big that we struggle to comprehend the magnitude of the problem. When we read that 1.1 billion people in the world live in extreme poverty, do we really get it? 1 Have we ever stopped to really think about that? What would you and I do if tomorrow and for the foreseeable future we had only $1 per day to pay for all our daily needs of food and drinking water, shelter, clothing, medical care, and education?
As I have read and become more aware of the great needs in the world, I have become increasingly convinced that it is everyone’s responsibility to address the problem of poverty.
In my opinion it’s far too easy for those of us who live privileged lives to be ignorant of the way hundreds of millions of people in the world are living. It far too easy for us to be so wrapped up in our day to day lives worried about our houses, and cars and shopping and jobs and children; and spending our days working hard and watching TV, trying to pay the rent or pay off the house, that we are selfishly ignorant of the fact that several million mothers in the world struggled to find food for their babies today.
As a mother I think ‘what makes me so different from those other mothers who face a daily anguish of finding food for their fretful hungry baby?‘ Broadly, the answer is simply circumstance. There is no other difference between us than the circumstances of our births.
It could have been me born in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 40% of toddlers die from Malaria, which by the way is a preventable and treatable disease. It costs between $0.50 – $5.00 NZD for life saving medication to treat Malaria.2 But sadly for most of the people dying of malaria, it’s not as easy as popping down to the local doctor, or having a friend take you to hospital. Even if they do make it to a hospital often times the medication simply isn’t available.
I wonder what would happen if people in New Zealand started dying at a rate of 10000 per day3 of a preventable disease? Just wondering.
And lets not forget the orphans. The are around 40 million orphans in the world today. 15 million of these are orphaned because of HIV/AIDS and of those 11.6 million are in Sub-Saharan Africa. 4
See….the statistics are shocking aren’t they?
So as I have been considering all these things and letting myself be confronted with the harsh realities, I have asked myself what can be done. Whose problem is it? Governments? Politicians? United Nations? Charities? Aid Organisations?The Church? Individuals? And the answer I came up with is Yes to all of these. It’s every body’s problem. There are many causes of extreme poverty, but injustice is a major one. And so just because I believe it isn’t right, I believe it’s my problem to address it. And, as Christ followers it is our very mission to break the chains of injustice and bring good news to the poor.
So, essentially my vision or idea is to:
Firstly, and most importantly develop in myself and us a heart like God’s for the poor.
Secondly, to take action to support projects that directly benefit the poor, by setting up a separate fund to which we as a local church can give as we are moved to and collectively make a huge difference. Together we could save hundreds if not thousands of lives, and
Thirdly some time in the future, to make a way where ordinary people like us can go to the destitute places and get our hands dirty and really help in practical ways to bring an end to extreme poverty.
And now, something to think about.
“What, therefore, is our task today? Should I answer “Faith, hope and love?” That sounds beautiful. But I would say – courage. No, even that is not challenging enough to be the whole truth. Our task today is recklessness. For what we Christians lack is not psychology or literature… we lack a holy rage – the recklessness which comes from the knowledge of God and humanity. The ability to rage when justice lies prostrate on the streets, and when the lie rages across the face of the earth… a holy anger about the things that are wrong in the world. To rage against the ravaging of God’s earth and and the destruction of God’s people. To rage when little children must die of hunger, while the tables of the rich are sagging with food. To rage at the senseless killing of so many, and the madness of militaries. To rage against the lie that calls the threat of death and the strategy of destruction, peace. To rage against COMPLACENCY. To restlessly seek that recklessness that will challenge and seek to change human history until it conforms to the norms of the kingdom of God.”
~ Father Kaj Munk (1944)
1Extreme poverty being defined as living on less than $1 per day. Moderate poverty defined as living on $1-$2 per day. (The End of Poverty (2005) Jeffery Sachs pp20-21)
3(The End of Poverty (2005) Jeffery Sachs p215)
42007 Data. http://www.avert.org/subaadults.htm
I just can’t do it. hehehe Even though I’m just seriously wasting time doing pointless things (like finding my house and my previous house and mum and dad’s house, and my inlaws house and anyone else I happen to think of’s house on Google earth) I just can’t get it together to get to bed early.
And you know what’s kinda funny. Yesterday someone found my blog by typing
Can sleep depravity cause sweaty palms?
into a search engine. Goodness knows why it sent them here. I’m sure the word they were looking for is deprivation… But maybe I’ve got sleep depravity because I would really love to get up earlier in the morning and be well ahead of the kids, but I also want to stay up late and enjoy the peace and quiet! I have a week until we’re starting school for the year and earlier mornings would really help me get stay on top of the day. Any ideas. (Yes, I know….just get your butt into bed. Set your alarm and get up early! I know, I know…just looking for an option that happens by magic and requires no self discipline. Anything? Eh?)
Anyway… What’s going on for me? Well my husband has changed jobs and is around home much more and is so relaxed! Yay! I’m so happeeeee! He’s been working too hard for too long and I”m so glad he’s getting his life back.
As for me I’m enjoying working and I’m feeling terribly excited about the future! Nothing to tell at this stage, but I’m entertaining some dreams in my head that I thought were out of the question, but maybe they aren’t and maybe more within reach that I thought! It’s a continuance of last year’s great Coming Alive! I wonder what will be the ‘thing’ for this year.
A big thank you to everyone who helped spread the news of my Make a Plan project.
The following names went into the draw:
SweetP – For telling her facebook friends
SweetP – For This Post and This one!
Leanne – For This Post
Jen – For This Post
Mother Me – For This Post
Carrien – For This Post And Please go and see what she’s up to for some orphans in Thailand! She’s an inspiration
Sarah Bean – For This Post
Sarah Bean – For the idea for me to start a Facebook Group
SS – a donation
JK – a donation
PV – a donation
KG – a donation
So, the names went onto little pieces of paper into this little box (that my friend J brought back from India for me),
and two names were drawn at random by my daughter E5.
And here they are:
The first name out says Challenged blog who will receive the set of four CutieBums nappies. (This is slightly ironic, because way back in the day Leanne sent me some hand made nappies in a swap for some home made chocolate sauce!) Leanne, I’ll be emailing you for your postal address.
And the second name out says Jen’s Page, who will receive a baby blanket which is also kinda cool because she has a new baby daughter. Jen, I’ll be in touch.
And a special thank you to Sweet P who not only posted twice, and told her facebook friends, she also auctioned off some hand dyed wool and some hand made (!!) needles in support of the project. This in turn inspired someone else called Fi to do the same. Thanks everyone for your support! You’re very much appreciated. To stay in the know with how it’s all going, check out (or subscribe to) Make a Plan.
So, where was I?…Oh, yes ahem. Moving on. This post is NOT going to be about.. ah… the thing I’m not posting about.
Right! Well, in other news. I bought a canvas yesterday and last night I set aside some time to not think about the you know what. I can’t draw to save myself, and can’t really paint either but it never hurt anyone trying and I just want to try. This is what came out of it.
I know it’s not very good, but I was ridiculously pleased with it. Don’t look too close though…it has some serious problems. It was fun to try and I was surprised to actually end up with something that does resemble something of what is in my head. I’m finding it hard to get the colours I want though. The sky is OK, but the sea should be more vibrant and less solid looking, if that makes any sense. ha ha ! You can tell I don’t know what I’m talking about! Sorry to all you artists out there.
Also, the overall thing looks a bit more child like than I imagined…..it’s the primary-ness of the colours I think.
Oh, and it’s all the wrong size. You see, although bought a stretched canvas, I actually painted it on a sheet canvas pad because I thought it’d be so bad it’d be a waste of a good canvas. Hmmm… positively exuding confidence aren’t I?
And tonight, I’m washing my hair with my new and deliciously natural Rosemary Shampoo bar! Oh, wow. Why didn’t I know about these before. I’ve tried being ‘poo free’ before using baking soda and it just didn’t last. Found that I couldn’t’ get my hair really clean because it was hard to massage through all my hair. My new shampoo bar is so lovely though! It’s a natural product made from Almond and Coconut oils and it froths really nicely without those nasty chemical frothers. (SLS?) I follow up with a vinegar rinse which I infused with rosemary from our garden. Here’s how:
That’s it. When it cools of course. Just pour over 1/2 to 1 cup full over your hair as a rinse. I let most of it rinse out with water. Not sure if you’re meant to leave it in or rinse it out. Ha! Aren’t I the expert?! Anyway, my hair was manageable, no where near as tangly as I expected without using my usual 1/4 cup of conditioner, and doesn’t smell like vinegar at all! That’s a bonus clearly!
I’m not going to tell you where I got the Shampoo bar. Not yet anyhow. More on that another day. (Because I promised not to go on about the *whispers* you know what)
I’ve edited The Post In Which I Beg because I forgot to put a closing date. I’ll draw two winners on the 28th August. I’m developing a complex because it’s going dismally so far… ha ha! ….but reality is probably good for me because I’m a bit of a dreamer! But still, you could get something for free for a little effort, and it’s a great project. Here’s a pic of the first pile of stuff we collected to send.
Click to Enlarge
This represents only a quarter of the total. The rest will be collected early next week. We have to hire a truck and evict our cars from the garage first!
So, if you can spare a dollar or ten, please consider a donation by clicking here. It’s easy. Thanks so much. (Don’t forget your address so we can send a receipt if you want to claim a tax rebate.)
(Alternative title: In Which I Beg)
Some of you may know that I have been collecting medical supplies for a hospital in Zimbabwe. What started as an idea to do something small (thought I might get a couple of boxes that I could ship over myself) ended up being four pallets (approx. 4-5 cubic metres) of goods. You can read about the story up to this point over here at Make A Plan.
Well that little project is suddenly on a whole new scale. I have now been given medical goods valued at approximately $50,000. That’s fifty thousand dollars in case like me you can’t quite believe it. These goods are all in perfect usable condition and consist of basic medical items like gauze, dressings, incontinence pads, gloves, gowns and drapes. They will make an enormous difference for people needing medical care in Zimbabwe where there is a shortage of all medical goods, pharmaceuticals and basic supplies in the hospitals due largely to the current political crisis.
I feel so incredibly privileged to be responsible for this resource, but I simply can’t administrate it on my own. Obviously there is a considerable expense in shipping all this to Zimbabwe. I am busy getting quotes for how much this will be exactly, but I am estimating it to be well….a lot. So I need your help.
I’m asking you to do two things:
1. If you have a couple of dollars you can spare please donate here. (It’s a paypal form all set up to make it easy). If you prefer to make a direct bank deposit in NZ email me at makeaplanworld@gmail.com and I’ll provide bank details. All donors will receive a receipt (please provide your address). The funds will be administered by Horizon International Church which is registered Charitable Organisation. This means that in NZ your donation is eligible for a tax rebate. Changes to the rebate system means that you can get 33% back as a tax rebate on your donations up to the level of your income.
2. Please could you link to this post on your blogs. Email it to your friends or anyone you know who has a heart for the poor. Join the Facebook group, post on myspace or wherever you want to! Please help me get this out to as many people as possible. (Make sure it’s this post specifically, not just the home page.)
And just to keep it fun and not all work, here’s what’s in it for you.
A Giveaway with a Difference!
I will be doing a random draw from all the participants. So, each donation you make gets you one entry. Each link on your blog gets you another and one entry if you email me and tell me you’ve emailed your friends, or posted on facebook or somewhere. (Trusting your honesty on this one) A random draw for what you ask? Here’s the great prizes.
Prize number 1. CutieBums Fitted Cloth Nappies set of four. Size Small. Made from Velour outer, Hemp and Microfibre inner. Stay dry liner and fastens with snaps. Valued at $80. Can send overseas.
Prize Number 2. Made to order Baby Blanket. Made to either girl or boy colours. Will be made with two layers cotton fabrics, either velour or sherpa, topped with a print or embroidered knit. Bound with satin. Value approx $45. Can send overseas
And, finally if you’d rather buy something outright, check out these beauties. Made by a friend and donated to this cause for free (Thank you Cathy!) A set of three Pasifika canvas art works. Hand made and one of a kind. The shell designs are hand woven and wired to the canvas for strength. You can bid on them at auction here. Low start to keep it fun. Please go and bid. (NZ residents only sorry)
Here are the important bits:
1) Donate here.
2) Link to this post and or email your friends
So, that’s it. Let’s see what we can do. And Thank you!
EDIT: Forgot to mention a closing date. I’ll draw a winner on the 28th August. C’mon people, don’t be shy. You could donate a dollar and have the chance to win something for free! Even free-er is to linky link and go in the draw too. You don’t have to write a whole post. Just a one liner will do and your visitors could win too. And don’t forget that you’ll be involved in sending FIFTY THOUSAND dollars worth of medical goods to Zimbabwe. It really will make a difference. (Are the prizes really sucky?)
Aww gee, thanks Jen’s Page, (I still can’t remember how I found you!?) I’m so flattered. Jen has awarded me a little prize.
And while I hate deliberate misspellings, (not your fault Jen…being an orderly, fact driven, dare I say nerdy punctuation mark yourself, I imagine you can relate?) I’ll post it here and pass it on to 5 other bloggers that I enjoy. In no particular order. Check out these creative people whose blogs inspire me.
And even though my creative efforts pale into insignificance next to these lovely people, just to prove that I am creative, check out my first pair of socks:
