Live Consciously + Think Integrally

In my prior writings I have been focusing on worldviews, self-effort and conscious economics. In doing this I realized that most of my spending comes down to ecological and/or political acts. Where do I want my footprints to be left? In an effort of trying not to tread in the greed of monopolizing corporations I try my best to spend my money in accordance with my ethics. With that said I do not drive a hybrid car (yet) nor do I live in a sustainable home, nevertheless efforts to purchase eco-friendly, energy-saving products and local produce is at the forefront of how I prefer to spend my money. Honestly, sometimes I have to shop at corporations that put profits before people. In these places I know that my purchase will help to support sweatshops, animal cruelty, toxins in our food and global warming; however I walk away with the knowledge that my purchase was made from an educated, conscious decision. For that I am thankful to the citizens that provide us daily with information of how our money is being spent. I can walk away from a corporation that is not aligned with my ethics, offer a prayer of gratitude in my heart for the people and land that produced the merchandise and ask for forgiveness for what I have done.

That is the lesson I am trying to learn and live: To be conscious of my economics no matter how the money is spent. Not to neglect or turn away from the information that is provided to me, to live consciously in growth and effort.

Far From Home – by Jeremy Willet

Far From Home – A Band, Its Story, Hope For Africa by Jeremy Willet

This book is the “it” that we are all searching for. The “it” that is the turning point in our lives. If you are a reader of this blog then you understand my ideology on conscious economics and living with a purpose. If you can provide for your family by doing what you love and if you can help to create a better world at the same time, what could be better? For motivation, a kick in the butt, a little humor and for the gospel of truth about what is happening in Africa today, read this book. Far From Home – A Band, Its Story, Hope For Africa by Jeremy Willet

Jeremy Willet writes, “If WILLET as a band exists solely for the purpose of sponsoring children in Africa, then our efforts are 100% worth it”.

Upon my fist reading of this book I jotted down these words: raw meditative read that invites the reader to think outside the comfortable scope of their daily life. A book that should be recommended reading for any high school or college student who is searching for a purpose in life; a book that includes humor, life on the road, music and Africa.

Jeremy Willet is the lead singer of WILLET and the author of Far From Home. Jeremy is on a mission. The mission OPERATION 400, The GOAL 400 children sponsored in Africa. To learn additional information about Jeremy, WILLET and OPERATION 400 click here.

800 million solutions

Blessed are the poor for the Devil does not live there.

Four billion people live in poverty on this planet. 800 million of us live in a democratic free world of wealth, prosperity and opportunity. This is how you know if you are one of the 800 million lucky ones out there: 1) you’re reading this at your place of work, 2) your complaints are about gas prices, politics and co-workers, 3) your home is stuffed with too much “stuff”, 4) you always want to buy more “stuff” and 5) You can’t find enough space in your house to put all the “stuff”.

Consumerism consumption has to be where the devil lives.

When history judges our stewardship of our time on this Earth, I fear that they will label our generation; the generation “who did not care where there stuff came from”.

We as Americans look to our politicians, preachers, corporate presidents and pop-stars to bring about change to our world. Civil liberties, free government “for the people by the people”, clean water, air, food and prosperity are endowments that we want for all. When injustice shows itself, we look to our leaders to bring about social fairness.

Our leaders look to the 800 million to be the solution when asked.

For the most part we do want to be the solution when asked, no charity goes unfunded or unattended. The idea of a greener future sits well with us. Recycling, re-use and re-birth has developed into a mainstay within the corporations we work for. Nonetheless, we blindly turn our hearts and minds when it comes to getting “stuff” (Consumerism consumption). We go to giant box stores and buy their products that support sweatshops and slave labor. We eat at restaurants and shop at grocery stores that buy their food from companies that place toxins in food, fish-out oceans and permit animal cruelty, all for profit.

800 million of us acquire the bulk of our “stuff” from the Earth (be it in natural resources or through the labor of others). At the same time 800 million of us do the majority for the world’s charity?

How comfortable are you with your contradictions?

The Devil does not live in the poor - due to the fact that the historic Christian Devil figure is more of “wants” than cinematic evil. The Devil “wants” Jesus to bow down to him, in return Jesus gets the Earth. The Devil “wants” Job to fail and the Devil “wants” to show Adam and Eve that they are separated from God. In Buddhism the Devil figure is called Mara, the one who gets in your way. The Devil lives in the wanting of “stuff”, that is why consumerism consumption is where the Devil has to live. The old phrase “watch out for the devil inside” just got a whole lot scarier…

For more on conscious consumer capitalism
See: Does birth soil equal entitlement?
Democracy Rant
Effort is the only solution
Live Consciously + Think Integrally
Ethics and Economics
Conscious Consumerism
Can the food industry go the way of the music industry?

Conscious Consumerism

Holding strong with all the Earth Day mojo that is spreading across the globe, my wife signed us up for green dimes. For $36.00 dollars a year (dime a day - hence the title green dimes) they will stop/limit the amount of junk mail that comes into your house (can I get an amen) and furthermore they will plant a tree in your name every month for the entire year. Being a novice woodworker it feels good to have twelve trees planted.

While I'm pimping my wife's green shopping, she also purchased Shaklee
- "Healthy Home Pack", green, safe and powerful home cleaning products. We have been using Seventh Generation home cleaning products, which we have been very happy with, just thought we would try some new companies.

It's a good day when ethics and economics merge into conscious consumerism.

p.s. Check out ~C4 Chaos post on "Green is the New Right Thing".

Recommendation - Stewards of the Lost Lands

Re-posting from Jack/Zen blog

The responsibility of the artist
"Attending a new book talk by local emerging author, Kate Sopko, who has penned “Stewards of the Lost Lands”, a delicious collection of essays and poetry on the significance of community in a post-capitalist era. Questioning the current very outdated version of democracy that continues to mis-serve most, she reflects that “The responsibility of the artist is to help people see that more is possible.”

For more on my thoughts on this subject see:
Evolution Has Ended
800 Million solutions
Does birth soil equal entitlement?
Democracy Rant
Effort is the only solution
Live Consciously + Think Integrally
Ethics and Economics
Conscious Consumerism
Can the food industry go the way of the music industry?