Assurance the 5th of the 5A’s

 

I recently went in for my six month dental cleaning and check-up. I’ve had the same dental hygienist for several years now and have had the opportunity to observe how her weight has yo-yo’ed over that time.  You see, my hygienist had, by her own admission, the exercise side of a sustainable weight loss program down, but not the “what you eat part” side, hence the yo-yo effect.

But when I walked in on this most recent visit I saw her sitting behind the counter and had she changed.  She came to the door and invited me back for my exam and cleaning and as we walked along it was evident that my hygienist had lost a lot of weight.

When we got to her chair I turned and told her, “you look great!”  That was an affirming Assurance, the fifth of the 5A’s.

Her smile was ear to ear as she thanked me for recognizing her 40lb loss.  She said that I had inspired her which was an Assurance to me that the changes I had made in my eating life were not only working for me but were inspiring to others.  My hyginist is clearly committed to a new lifewalk when it comes to her eating. But, she knows that the hard work lies ahead for her as it does for me. 

I reminded her that ever affirming Assurance she receives validates her Action plan and that is really where the rubber meets the road.  Her Assurances  arise from a very visible change in her. But not all changes in ones lifewalk will readily elicit verbal Assurances.

It is possible that the work you  have been doing has involved inner changes, the results of which, are not visible to the casual observer.  Consequently, your Assurances may also take some time for others to express, if ever.

Is it necessary for us to receive Assurances in order for our 5A work to be fruitful?  Of course, the answer is no. So, if the only one who knows changes have taken place in you is you, then celebrate your accomplishments in the knowledge that your bodylife work has moved you in a positive direction. 

With time, the subtle changes you made will begin to bear fruit in ways that will eventually lead others to notice that something is different.

Can some changes cause a negative reaction in others? Sadly, the answer is yes. It is possible that positive changes in you can cause others to become jealous or develop fear of how those changes might alter their relationship with you.

Knowledge is the fear killer. You may need to consider sharing the Awareness you had which led to the behavioral changes in you and the 5A process that you went through. It’s funny, but even the most clearly positive change in a person can give rise to fear in another.

Meet the fear head on with openness and truth.  However others may deal with, react or respond to positive change in you is not something you need to consider when developing your Action plan.

Maybe they will look inside themselves and see something that needs to be addressed.  Maybe they will come to you and seek to know why and how you came to be as you now are. In this, what was a troubling or difficult issue in you, has now become a spring-board for you to help others.  A venue for seeds of change to fall on fertile ground .  If helping ones self leads to helping another, then all benefit.

Finally, do not be discouraged if others fail to see the positive lifewalk changes in you. Know that your higher power sees and knows and in that you can trust, be at peace and know unconditional love.

This completes the 5A journey. Maybe there is something in them that you have been able to take and use for your own personal benefit.  I would be the last to say that the 5A’s are the end all in dealing with life issues, but they have worked for me and maybe they can word for you.  Please feel free to contact me if you would like to talk more about how the 5A’s might be of benefit to you.

              Next time, more poems and pictures of our recent family reunion.

….the journey continues….

Richard

Some Thoughts on Anger

The other day while riding my bicycle home from my favorite hangout, Wildflower Bread Company, I had occasion to observe an incident that happened in a flash and could have had devastating consequences had circumstances been just a little different.

Two drivers had a road rage moment right before my eyes. It only took a second for the offense to happen and even less time for a shower of verbal sewage to be dumped onto the surprised offender. It was all so vile, so offensive, so scary in what could have been a real who knows what.

I rode on once I realized that traffic flow would prevent the escalation of verbal weaponry to something worse. It got me to thinking about anger and how it lies just below the surface and can explode at the littlest provocation.  Later that day I had a chance to experience that same rush, that surge of heat, that moment of, “why are you doing this to ME?”

The following essay is the result of that days experiences. Maybe you can relate at some point.

Some Thoughts on Anger                                

by Richard Compton

Residing just below the epidermis of our emotional skin lays anger. With the potential volatility of a repressed volcano, it can explode onto the landscape of unexpectedness. It requires little, if any, stimulation to make its unabashed presence known.

To some, anger acts as a relief valve, much like the kettle sitting on a hot burner signals the need for attention. Anger is neutral with regards to gender, ethnicity, politics, religion and any other perceived bias. It is an equal opportunity parasite that is comfortable and adaptable to all circumstances and situations. Every living being plays host to this most insidious of guests. Your station in life plays no role in the power and tenaciousness of its impact.

Fortunes have been lost and wars waged because of anger. The precious sanctity of life is folly in the back-wash of anger. There is no “upside” with anger. Everyone swept up in the riptide of anger loses. “Win-Win” is not a possibility when anger alone injects itself into our lives.

On may think they have a handle on anger. Do not be deceived. With the right circumstances and egregious affront, even the most stayed will feel the rush of heat that wells up from that hidden inner space within us. And without much cause, burst forth to splash on all within earshot.

I know, I’ve been there and I have seen the ugly underbelly of anger on more than one occasion. Anger is a “one size fits all” custom fit for all occasions. It can manifest in a nanosecond and last a generation. Anger can be a solo act or imbue the masses with a communal contagion which topples governments, exposes injustice and bleeds a national bloodline in an attempt to cleanse the soul of humanity.

Anger is timeless and infinite in its potential for bad and good. What good can come from anger you may ask? Good comes when anger is paired with resolve and positive purpose. Like the anger a parent may feel when confronted with the unexpected loss of a child due to disease or violence. Their resolve to find a cure or pass legislation can channel the initial onslaught of anger for a greater good.

And like the athlete who turns anger with under-performance into a fresh resolve and commitment to move beyond the normal expectation to achieve new heights. In both cases anger, without positive purpose and resolve, could have led to ugly wounds that fester for a lifetime and stifle unknown potential. But because they were pared with resolve and positive purpose, they brought changes for the better.

Ancient etchings and paintings by people in history to modern representations tell the story of anger in its eternal presence and manifestations. What will history write about us, the people of now, in future generations? What will your story be?

Mine was one of useless anger that spilled out upon people who did not earn or deserve the verbal imposition of the all important “I”. But within moments of the affront a sense of, “Richard, it’s just a parking spot you idiot” sweeps in and I know that I am still in touch with my “core of good” that drove me to seek out the offended and apologize for my childish behavior. Yes, childish behavior. Call it what it is! You see, I never noticed another person backing out of a space right next to me that I could have used. Instead, I was so focused on the other spot. The offending other driver saw that I was waiting obviously for the spot right next to me and pulled into the one I was fixated on. It was obvious, right? I would obviously take the spot right next to me, right?

Well imagine his surprise when I rolled my window down and allowed anger to raise its ugly voice. The look on his face was pure astonishment that I would want a parking spot farther away than the one right next to me, which was obvious to everyone but me, would have been the logical choice.

When regret came over me and I knew I had to find him and apologize. You can imagine the look on his and his wife’s faces as I approached them in the store. I’m sure they were ready for me to continue my regurgitation of ugliness.

I came up to him, looked him directly in the eyes and said, “I am so sorry for my childish behavior in the parking lot, I hope you will forgive me” and then stuck out my hand in the hopes that he would receive my apology in the spirit it was given and give me that cultural sign of assurance, the firm hand shake. He did, and went on to explain to my astonishment about the OTHER parking space that was RIGHT NEXT TO ME, that in my fixated moment did not see.

We went on to have a good conversation, but I still felt so stupid for allowing anger to embarrass me in front of them and who knows how many other people in the parking lot.

So, the next time that driver in the other lane cuts you off, or an impatient person cuts in line when the line around the building to see that feature film finally starts to move, or the coach of your child’s athletic team doesn’t play your child when you think they should, causes the welling of heat and raised blood pressure to surge forth from just under your skin. STOP!

Take a moment, count to 100, say the Pledge of Allegiance or repeat the Lord’s Prayer. Before you know it, the surge will pass and the unknown calamity that could have been will not materialize. In most of life’s intersects where the ugliness of anger spills forth, reflection will shine light on the foolishness of it all. And hopefully you too will have the chance to redeem yourself to the offended.

If nothing else, take a deep breathe and know that you will be a better person for not giving anger a forum to play its head games with you.

….the journey continues….

Richard

Assessment – the 4th of the 5A’s and a Poem

Last month we covered Action, the 3rd of the 5A’s.  Now comes the hard part for many of us, Assessment.  I don’t know about you but I hate to look at myself when it comes to assessing the performance and validity of actions that I put in place to change something from negative to positive. Even if things are going well I still have reservations about that kind of reflection.

Why? Fear is why. Crazy as it may sound, we fear assessments of almost any kind. Call it a crisis of self-confidence  and a fear that there might be something wrong with what we are doing. We like to think that if we put a plan in action then it is right and should be followed through with without reservation.

But if feedback from your Action plan is returning in less than positive terms then one must assess the plan, make adjustments and move forward.  A setback doesn’t necessarily mean that you were negligent in your Action, but it is possible that circumstances have changed and a fresh look is in order.  You must remember that back when you were developing your Action plan you could not have known what the future would bring and how causal changes would impact you.

Assessment is an ongoing process. You never stop taking a look at what you are doing to be sure that the target is always in front of you. Without ongoing assessment then focus can drift and results begin to reflect that drift.  Most often we drift away from our targeted results due to a relaxed attitude that comes when we think our plan is working.  If no one is criticizing us then our Action plan must be on target. Shouldn’t it? One might think that but as they say, the devil is in the details. Subtle neglects and less than total focus can allow drift to creep in and before you know it, you are back to the baseline behavior that got you started in the first place. And do we really want to go back there?

I have been assessing the changes in my eating lifestyle and have noticed a few weak places and relapses that have led to the tightening of my waist line again. Self talk said, “do I really want to go THERE again?” So assessment quickly pointed out that I had slipped back into some old habits and that my lack of laser focus on what I consume led to a relaxed drifting away from the core plan that produced the 60 pound loss.  

Assessment may not be fun but boy is it in our best interest to do it.  Don’t neglect this valuable tool and key step in the 5A’s.  If feedback is sending mixed signals or you become conflicted as to what to do next, then a visit to your professional counselor may be in order.  An outside view can shed light on areas we over look or ignor.  Remember that the overall goal is positive and meaningful change.

You became Aware, you Acknowledged, you’ve taken Action, Assessment has led to refining and refocus. Affirmation will complete the 5A circle.  We will look at Affirmation in depth next month. Or, maybe the month after that.  Who knows.

A Poem!

Poem #4 On My Way To Costco

 

There they were, gathered in the shade,

Huddled in the corner of the parking lot,

One lying on its side in the gutter,

Up to there, in water.

Different in many ways, but the same too,

Colors, some bright, some faded.

Some wire, some metal, some plastic,

All still wanting to hold.

Some strayed behind the dumpster,

Others to the apartment complex next door.

Some spooned with others,

Most were loners though.

Occasionally one was sacrificed for reasons unknown,

Made to become something not intended.

Each longing for the familiar feel of their own asphalt,

Or concrete, or tile.

If they could find their own way home,

They would, and quickly.

They wait for a helping hand,

One that may or may not come in time to save them.

The sound of engine, breaking tires, opening door,

Hands on shoulders as they are prodded,

Led to the truck bed those willing wonderers,

Secured for journey of length unknown.

Smiling faces as the wayward children return,

Return to familiar confines.

Such is the life of a shopping cart,

Might that be you too?

RA Compton – July 28, 2009

A New Journey Begins June 22, 2010

Well, after 22 months our long national nightmare of my unemployment will end on Tuesday when I return to work for SourceRight Solutions as a Sr. Recruiter in support of their Aerospace client base. I will be working virtual from my home office, which pleases me to no end.  The thought of sitting in a cubicle again has no attraction for me.

So I want to take a moment and thank all of you who have been a part of my circle of support for your words of encouragement.  I can’t thank you enough for hanging in there with me.  I would have never imagined that my unemployment would have gone on so long, but it did.  To be candid I think it was meant to be as during this time I have had opportunity to become engaged in activities that I probably would not have ever engaged in had I been working. This blog is one such activity. Writing poetry and short stories are two modes of expression that I now enjoy and find much fulfillment in.  My journey into the 5A’s has been a blessing to me and a help to others.  And there are yet undiscovered journeys for me to travel in so this blog will continue.

Now it is back to work. I look forward to this engagement and will share more about it as I move forward.  For those of you still seeking employment, hang in there. The economy is turning, be it ever so slowly, so things will improve as we move ahead.  I will continue to hold you in my thoughts and prayers.

How about a couple of poems.

Poem #26 Standing On The Corner

 

You see them standing on the corner of the freeway entrance ramp,

Eyes focused with penetrating, silent pleading, moving from window to window.

Their rough skinned fingers grasp the well-worn dog-eared cardboard sign,

“Please help have baby need food not drugs or liquor”.

The computerized traffic signal systematically offer fresh faces,

Most not willing to even hint that they see them standing there.

For the corner people relief comes in coins and crumpled bills placed in their hand,

While our relief is safely tucked inside our bags and hip pockets.

If for an instant eyes meet and the heart overrides that fear of the unknown,

A decision is made and the race is now on to move my relief to them.

Green light signals the end to this personally uncomfortable time and we move on,

For them time is warped as they wait for the next group to come to a stop.

What will missing that “In-Out” mega caloried meal mean to me,

When those few dollars could mean the world to the poor.

The poor who are standing on the street corners of our global community.

RA Compton – 3/19/10

When I was thirteen years old we lived just off the main drag in Phoenix, Arizona and a building boom was underway in mid-town. Developers were putting up office and condo towers in my neighborhood and for each they would dig a big hole in the ground to create a foundation for the building. This poem is about the dirt from those holes in the ground.

Poem #12 The Dirt Piles

 

For four city boys the arrival of the trucks spelled fun to come.

One after another they came with loads of reddish-brown tare firma.

We sit on our bikes leaning against a wall watching, waiting and counting.

Speculation of how many loads will be dumped caused bets of a Coke and ice cream to be placed.

Each passing day brought still more trucks, both single and double loaders in constant procession.

The endless roll of wheels leaves a buildup of dirt as each truck exits the growing pile for another load.

Finally, four city boys with their very own private world of soft dirt.

Imagine the hours and days of unfettered play in this special land of all things possible.

For four city boys it don’t get no better than this!

RA Compton – September 17, 2009

 ….the journey continues….

 

Richard

Action – The Third of The 5A’s & A Poem

First a quick review. In January I introduced the 5A’s in an Overview posting on this blog. In March I discussed the first of the 5A’s – Awareness. In April the second – Acknowledgment and now the third – Action.  To aid in understanding the idea behind the 5A’s you might take a couple of minutes and review “The 5A’s – An Introduction and Overview” posting. 

The 5A’s are the ongoing journey of this ordinary man as I seek to work through life issues and expand my personal experience in the neck of the woods I travel in.  Thank you for staying with me as I have attempted to be open about myself and my life at this point in its duration. 

And now, “Action – The Third of The 5A’s”

This step in the 5A’s is the step that can take the longest to create and potentially last a very long time in its execution.  Any Action you put forth in dealing with something you have; one, become Aware of and two, Acknowledged, will undoubtedly have consequences  that can be both good and bad.

One might contemplate not doing anything about the identified issue, but even that in-action will have consequences. So not taking any action in dealing with an issue remains a possibility.

Action has a broad palate of potentialities, from the simple to the complex. It depends on the issue being dealt with. So, depending on the complexity of the issue one might consider involving a professional counselor in the area of speciality that your issue falls under.

If, however, the issue is rather straightforward it is possible for you to develop an action plan and put it in motion yourself. Most of the time when one sits down and puts a pen to paper, outlining the issue in summary and then sketching out the good or bad, positive or negative potential outcomes, some actions will naturally surface that are logical in their application to your issue.  Be advised that it is not necessary to complete this process in one sitting. Sometimes putting things on paper and setting it aside overnight or for a day or two and then revisiting, allows the mind to digest what you have written and stimulate new thought about Action possibilities.  One might consider doing some internet research about the issue at hand to glean additional information and knowledge that could play a vital role in any Action plan.

But if you go through your personnel assessment of the issue, completing the aforementioned process and you are still feeling unsure of the action you think you need to implement, then by all means, consult a professional. The money spent, and sometimes insurance covers counseling, will go a long way in moving the process forward in achieving a successful outcome. 

If after you have implemented an Action plan the results are not moving in the desired direction, then revisiting the plan and additional consultation with your counselor or trusted advisor should be considered. Sometimes when you think you have it all figured out you discover that results remain elusive. There is no fault or blame here, simply reassessment, reconfiguration and recommitment to your goal.  And even if after you have put the plan in motion and down the road you sense that some movement away from the target is occurring don’t worry or panic. Starts, stops and re-starts are all within the realm of possibility.  Any journey undertaken can potentially take you in directions you could not imagine at the outset.  Patience and persistance will pay dividends in the long run.

The key is to stay committed to the desired outcome and the process to get there. Self doubt and negativity have no place here. Don’t forget your support system. Tap into it often and know that all progress towards the positive outcome is good. 

Remember that any Action plan you put together, implement, evaluate, adjust and fine tune may, I say again, MAY be something that will be with you for a very long time.  A successful result does not mean that you will not need it  again at some point in the future.  If you determine that revisiting your plan is needed, dust it off and put it through a fresh review and make adjustments to fit the new dynamic. 

You may ask, how or when will I know that my Action plan is successful.  You will know by the feedback you get. That feedback may come from both internal and external sources.  Because your Action plan is a process that potentially could take some time to show results, and those results might be tiered in their revelation, do not become discouraged. 

In the future as we look at Affirmation, the fourth of the 5A’s, you will see how the success of your Action plan begins to reveal itself to you.

How about a poem after all of that?

Poem # 22 Thoughts On A Thursday

 

We are such interesting creatures,

               Each one unique in our own singular way.

We fuss with our outer covering, getting it just right,

               All the while ignoring our commonness,

Which with time exacts a toll from each of us.

 

How? Because from our youth we are conditioned,

               Through the endless, subtle and not so subtle,

Messages that guide us.

But time is not our friend,

It marches relentlessly to that inevitable end.

               The common experience, unavoidable in its finality,

Non-discriminating in it selectivity.

 

So one wonders, how things…life, might be,

               If focus shifted from the external to the internal.

From the “window dressed”, “book slip covered”, “sublimely decorated” sham,

               Whose crafting we fret over, we worry about, we identify with.

A focus shift towards those common life threads,

               That bind us all together.

 

Might our nudist friends be on to something?

 

Does our outer covering reveal our common inner need,

For love and acceptance?

Can our investment in cloth, hide, plastic, metal,

               Give indication of our common hurting and desire?

 

Like most other outer representations we invest in,

               The projected positional statement is purchased.

I shall spend less time standing in my closet,

               And more time standing in the lives of loved ones and friends.

I must work at looking beyond the outer,

               And delve into the inner.

 

The discovery will only strengthen me.

               Dare you join?

 

RCompton – December 17, 2009

Wildflower Bread Company – Chandler Fashion Mall – Chandler, AZ

Can you believe it, June is just around the corner. My how time flys.  I hope this installment of my blog finds you well and living life to its fullest.  In June I have the privilege of performing the wedding of a dear friend at her home in Oregon. And yes, I can legally do this as I am an ordained minister.  Didn’t know that?  Well, now you do. 

Take care dear friends…

….the journey continues….

Richard

The Journey to The Chiricahua Mountains

Most all of you know that I love the outdoors. More specifically, the mountains and high country of almost any state. Living in Arizona you have the opportunity to venture into all topographic zones, from Lower Sonoran to Alpine Mixed Conifer. This trip took myself and my brother-in-law and faithful camping companion, Jim Parker, to Stewart Campground on Cave Creek in the Chiricahua (Cheer-uh-kah-wah) mountains of the Coronado National Forest.  Here is a link to the webpage that gives the overall description:   

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/forest/recreation/camping/sites/stewart.shtml   

Now, you can travel from the Phoenix metro area via freeway to San Simon where you leave civilization and dirt road it for about 30 minutes but we, or I should say, I, decided that I didn’t want to go the freeway route and took a more circuitous route through Globe then Safford and from there head South to I-10 and from there it was just a short hop to San Simon.   

On the first leg from the Tempe, AZ to Globe we passed through a canyon just outside of Superior, AZ where you can see the old road as well as the new. We thought this was a cool picture.   

The old and new bridges outside Superior, AZ

When we arrived near the little burg of San Simon  we came upon some old farm machinery in the middle of nowhere that had been abandoned years ago. We have no idea how these got to where we found them but just had to stop and take a pic or two. Here is one. Oh, and it was very windy and a bit chilly at the time of this pic.   

Me with my hair sticking straight up - how cute is that

After lunch in San Simon we headed south towards the East side of the Chiricahua Mountains and the entrance to some of the most famous birding areas in the Southwest at Protal, AZ. Once we got there we had to stop at the small general store, cafe and cabin rental place .  If you have forgotten anything by the time you get to this point in your journey, then it is nine miles over the New Mexico border to the little town of Rodeo.  And as luck would have it, I had forgotten to bring a stick of butter for our breakfast on Saturday morning and this little store saved my life. Jim and I both liked the old car out front.

Portal, AZ

 We found a camping spot in Stewart Campground  that turned out to be a really good campsite. We were about 30 feet from Cave Creek which was running very strongly from the snow melt.   

Home for two nights

The rock formations in this section of the mountain range are amazing. Our campground was at the foot of what is called Cathedral Rock which is a large volcanic neck that really stands out.    

Cathedral Rock

We spent a good amount of time gathering fire wood and on our first outing we headed up towards the timberline looking for pine knots which turned out to be harder to find than I thought because I knew if we made it up to Rustlers Park near the top of the mountain we would be in a good stand of Ponderosa Pines and for sure would find some old down trees to gather pine knots from.  Well, they had the road blocked that kept us from making it to where I wanted to go so we started back down and had to look harder for old down pine trees. Why pine knots you ask, well, they burn forever for one, so you don’t need as much fire wood. And second, they will even burn when they are wet due to the high pitch content. So now you know the secret of the pine knots. I cannot take credit for that secret, that would belong to my trusty camping mate and brother-in-law, Jim Parker.  So the next pic was taken as we descended the mountain and we had to have a picture of the verga rain and New Mexico in the distance.   

Verga Rain - rain that falls but does not reach the ground

This past winter we had heavier snow fall than normal and so the runoff was better than normal. As a result, a seasonal fall named Winn Falls was flowing well enough to be seen from several miles away.  We drove up to a spot where we could hike up to a better viewing area but Jim, the cameraman, had issues with his feet so we settled for this shot from about four miles away.   

Winn Falls - over 300 ft tall

A highlight for me came when we stopped at the Southwestern Research Station operated by the American Museum of Natural History of New York.  They had a gift shop which we visited and then after purchasing a shirt I went outside and wandered around the back and saw the largest Cottonwood tree I have ever seen. I call this tree, “Grandfather Tree” because it has been around for probably a couple of hundred years. I’ve seen big Cottonwoods before but this takes the cake. Following are two pics. For scale, I’m 6 ft tall and am standing at the base of the tree in the full tree view. I can only imagine the stories this tree could tell of generations of people from ancient Native Americans who hunted in these mountains to the contemporary peoples who hunt birds with field glasses and cameras.   

"Grandfather Tree"

 

 

Sitting at the feet of Grandfather Tree

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend in a magnificent place with a good friend and brother.  In my quiet time by the stream one morning, I was once again reminded of just how small an impact my presence on this planet is when considered in the thousands of winters that have fed the stream I was sitting by.  We are here for just a blink in the span of ages and so we must make the best of each and every moment given to us.  I returned home with a renewed sense of commitment to discovery.  And in that discovery will come new journeys and new adventures.    

For those of you who still read this blog, write me sometime and let me know about your latest journey or adventure.   

I’m thinking of changing my blog mast-head to this pic, what do you think?   

The Journey Continues...

Next time more poems and who knows, now that I have figured out how to add pictures to this thing, I may add a pic or two for the heck of it.   

Take care and remember,   

….the journey continues….   

Richard   

Some Thoughts On Living With Less

This is a journey that I’m in right now. By that I mean I have become Aware that I could, no, need to live with less. Besides, what is the sense of more for mores sake? I Acknowledge that I need to live with less. Why? Because excess costs you so much. Cost you so much more even after you acquire it. Think about it, just the cost associated with feeding it, storing it, maintaining it, improving it, repairing it, insuring it and on and on. Also the internal costs associated with talking about it, worrying about it, struggling with it, justifying it, rationalizing it, defending it and on and on.

Imagine with me if you will, just for a few minutes.

What if “Living With Less” spread like an uncontrollable virus out from my neighborhood, though my city and state. Over this land we call the US of A. Across the oceans and finally around the entire globe. What if EVERYONE, personal, collective or corporate, decided to live with just a little less. 

I’m not talking about a big reduction, just a little less. It is interesting that when disaster strikes you will find that even the poorest among us are willing to give up a little of what meager possessions they have for those who are hurting. When asked they say that others need it more than they do.  It is known that, in general, those who have the most generally give the least. Does that mean they are bad people, not necessarily. But remember, we live in a greed driven consumer culture that says more is good.

So what am I prepared to reduce so I “Live With Less” by example. Do I need to reduce to the point of personal and family pain. No, I’m not asking that. Believe it or not, it doesn’t take much from an individual standpoint that when added to the global collective begins to mount up in a big way.

Here is one thing that I did when I discovered Kiva Micro Loans. You can find more information about Kiva under a tab at the top of this blog. I realized that I probably waste $25 dollars every quarter of the year on purchasing stuff that I didn’t use, need or whatever. So I joined the thousands around the world who are making micro loans to people who need a small loan to get their small business going or to improve what they are already doing in order to provide a better life for themselves and their families. My contribution was small, but the outflow from it, when coupled with thousands of other efforts, combine to make a larger impact.

What if those who have much decided that they too, could live with a little less. Maybe they could live with one less time-share near a sunny shore. After all, how many time-shares does it really take to be happy? So they sell one and donated the proceeds to a local charity that cares for the poor and sick. A friend stopped me the other day and told me he had just bought his third boat. He was so proud. This particular boat would allow him to fish a certain lake. So I wondered, how many times a year will he fish that lake? Does it really take such a “special” boat to do the trick? I don’t know, but my guess is no, you don’t need a “special boat” to fish that lake. And even if you do, he probably knows someone who already has that “special” boat that he could borrow or better yet, invite the boat owner on a fishing trip. Again, it is not a lot. One less boat, one less time share, one less golf membership, one less hunting weapon, one less of whatever one has multiples of.

Imagine a public corporation whose board recommends to its share holders that instead of that mandatory 20% return on investment they actually only expect a 19% ROI. Maybe achieved through slightly lower prices on their products so that a wider range of customers could afford them. I know, who would imagine  such a thing, after all, these are corporations with highly paid executives who usually will stop at nothing to achieve the maximum ROI for themselves and the shareholders. And that ”nothing” could even include exporting the manufacturing of the products off shore where labor costs are much lower. 

I could go on and on citing many examples of groups of people and organizations that could make an impact if they simply put greed in its place and begin to give back to the global community a small portion of whatever they have.

Many have already adopted the “live with less” lifestyle and you can hear every once in a while through the media that the eat local, live with less, make do, recycle – reuse, spend locally movement is beginning to take hold. Corporations see this and are doing what they can to spin their propaganda in such a way as to keep customers from changing those hard-won buying habits.

The difficulty is that human kind generally functions in a mode of more. Always more of something. When is more enough? My Mother, in the later years of her life, would shake her head in disbelief when she would hear me talk about the remote storage unit I kept that held stuff we never use, but for whatever reason, would not get rid of. In her world living with less was a fact of life. From the depression to WW II everyone HAD to live with less. So my spending money each month to store things that I don’t see, use or in reality, want, does seem a huge waste of money. The profits from my inability to part with stuff ultimately winds up lining the pockets of some corporate executive and shareholders.  But alas, I’m not alone in this wasteful inclination. Thousands, tens of thousands, even millions of storage units hold the excess of our fellow citizens lives. And guess what, every day people die and the contents of unclaimed storage units goes to auction and people bid on whatever might be inside the units without ever seeing what they will get if they win. Could I live with one less storage unit, yes. I could then give that money that I never see to charity or better yet, save it for my retirement. Let’s see, X dollars times 12 months times 6 more years until retirement equals a tidy addition to my retirement nest egg.

I guess the bottom line is that in general I believe that almost everyone on this planet could afford to live with a little less. If we did, If we adopted a new global acceptability, and poured the river of small reductions into the lives of those who have nothing or next to nothing at home and around the world, then might our community be a slightly better place.

Some are saying, Richard, like the chronic poor, chronic excessives  will be with us forever.  I don’t know, I sense a slight swell in the rising tide of oncoming change that I feel will surprise many with the way it treats us all. It is a slow, creeping, quiet, unstoppable inevitability this coming new reality.  

I’m going to try(I know when one uses the word “try” in this context it usually means they won’t) to make small changes in the weeks, months, years ahead and preach the gospel of less by example.

Wish me luck as well as hold me to the fire.

…the journey continues…

Richard

On May 14th I will share with you about my recent camping trip to Southern Arizona. I hope to have a pic or two in the post as well.   rac