The conversation with Small Giants was interesting - I left a long comment there .. much to say finding way forward is the focus now, well aware of the crisis at every turn we simply need to face forward and begin with what we have and who we are, and continue to build on that - I am loving the turn even the podcasts have taken in great simplification towards recognising our role more than ever, in my own work it isnt simply about knowing Life and the Living System that we live amongst it is how do we return to that and align with that so we walk in wholeness.. i look forward to more - thank you
I want to say thank you for The Great Simplification podcast. I am typically very shy about sharing my thoughts on a social media platform or any public space. But I feel compelled to tell you that the work you are doing is so necessary in our chaotic world and has made a difference to my ability to cope with what is ahead for us as a society and species.
I have been concerned about the environment just about my entire life. I read Rachel Carson in my late teens and subsequently discovered Aldo Leopold, Buckminster Fuller and others that changed the path of my life. In 1972 I moved from the midwest to Southern Idaho to live a sustainable life, although that’s not what we called it back then. We had our own hydro generator that only worked during runoff season and lived with lanterns the rest of the time. We had an outdoor toilet, carried buckets of water for household needs and had a large greenhouse. I learned how to grow, preserve and store food and basically was prepping for the end of the world. It was a beautiful space and full of wildlife and daily wonder. Obviously, the world didn’t end back then but in all the years since I’ve felt it was just a crazy ride headed in that direction. Even though I did eventually come out of the desert and live in a mountain ski town, work normal jobs and get on with life, I have stayed aware of the miracle of running water, flipping a light switch and having illumination and the wonders of an indoor bathroom. I think some of this kept me humble and aware of the illusion in which we all live and how fragile it is.
Now I’m old in human years and live on a small island in the north Pacific. I live as simply as I can, grow my food, don’t fly around the world, drive little, recycle ( I pretend it is really getting recycled), try not to purchase much and avoid plastics and on and on. But for a long time I have felt helpless about what I could possibly do to help slow the insanity. All the petitions, marches, letters, conversations, efforts and we are still going in the same direction but faster and faster each year. I haven’t given up but it seems the other side is so strong and has so much power that we are just going to have to let it play out while we do our small parts to appease our own souls.
I have two predominate emotions about the entire situation. One is fear. What will come next? How soon will it be here? What will it be like? ( I read dystopian novels too) Will I be able to survive? Will I want to survive? and on and on. The other emotion is one of great peace that everything is unfolding just as it should. I’ve always believed life is pretty much predestined and we are just going along with the program. When I feel that way I can be the observer of the story and know that it is okay.
I think the premise of The Great Simplification is exactly what can get the planet and perhaps humanity through the coming crisis. Listening to your amazing and intelligent guests and you talk it all through has brought me both insight and greater peace with whatever comes next in on this big beautiful planet. I think with pockets of people like you all around the planet there is a chance some of it may be saved and perhaps there is a future for young people if they are willing to change the script.
The conversation with Small Giants was interesting - I left a long comment there .. much to say finding way forward is the focus now, well aware of the crisis at every turn we simply need to face forward and begin with what we have and who we are, and continue to build on that - I am loving the turn even the podcasts have taken in great simplification towards recognising our role more than ever, in my own work it isnt simply about knowing Life and the Living System that we live amongst it is how do we return to that and align with that so we walk in wholeness.. i look forward to more - thank you
Thanks Carl🙏
I want to say thank you for The Great Simplification podcast. I am typically very shy about sharing my thoughts on a social media platform or any public space. But I feel compelled to tell you that the work you are doing is so necessary in our chaotic world and has made a difference to my ability to cope with what is ahead for us as a society and species.
I have been concerned about the environment just about my entire life. I read Rachel Carson in my late teens and subsequently discovered Aldo Leopold, Buckminster Fuller and others that changed the path of my life. In 1972 I moved from the midwest to Southern Idaho to live a sustainable life, although that’s not what we called it back then. We had our own hydro generator that only worked during runoff season and lived with lanterns the rest of the time. We had an outdoor toilet, carried buckets of water for household needs and had a large greenhouse. I learned how to grow, preserve and store food and basically was prepping for the end of the world. It was a beautiful space and full of wildlife and daily wonder. Obviously, the world didn’t end back then but in all the years since I’ve felt it was just a crazy ride headed in that direction. Even though I did eventually come out of the desert and live in a mountain ski town, work normal jobs and get on with life, I have stayed aware of the miracle of running water, flipping a light switch and having illumination and the wonders of an indoor bathroom. I think some of this kept me humble and aware of the illusion in which we all live and how fragile it is.
Now I’m old in human years and live on a small island in the north Pacific. I live as simply as I can, grow my food, don’t fly around the world, drive little, recycle ( I pretend it is really getting recycled), try not to purchase much and avoid plastics and on and on. But for a long time I have felt helpless about what I could possibly do to help slow the insanity. All the petitions, marches, letters, conversations, efforts and we are still going in the same direction but faster and faster each year. I haven’t given up but it seems the other side is so strong and has so much power that we are just going to have to let it play out while we do our small parts to appease our own souls.
I have two predominate emotions about the entire situation. One is fear. What will come next? How soon will it be here? What will it be like? ( I read dystopian novels too) Will I be able to survive? Will I want to survive? and on and on. The other emotion is one of great peace that everything is unfolding just as it should. I’ve always believed life is pretty much predestined and we are just going along with the program. When I feel that way I can be the observer of the story and know that it is okay.
I think the premise of The Great Simplification is exactly what can get the planet and perhaps humanity through the coming crisis. Listening to your amazing and intelligent guests and you talk it all through has brought me both insight and greater peace with whatever comes next in on this big beautiful planet. I think with pockets of people like you all around the planet there is a chance some of it may be saved and perhaps there is a future for young people if they are willing to change the script.
Thank you for your work.
JB - a listener and fan
Jan- Thanks for your words and grace Onwards through small actions and thoughts
Nate