The Purchase Challenge

I've been thinking a lot lately about purchsing habits, marketing, and our society's insatiable desire to accumulate material items in an attempt to create happy (although study after study shows we aren't happy and that these items often make us less happy in the long run).  I am, like so many others, often impulsive.  I avoid Target like the plague because I know that walking in is dangerous.  I go for one item and come out with a shirt (but it was cheap!), maybe some other things I "needed" and before you know it $100.  Just like that.

In my thinking, I've decided that the convenience is the issue.  It's easy to pick up these things without thinking about it, all at one big 'ol store, and only have the visual guilt of one transaction and the inconvience of going to one place.  But I think we often have difficulty deciphering between true needs and wants.  Then, there is the topic of marketing and the subliminal messages sent of what I should be buying or which brand is more popular.  These affect us in profound ways that we often don't even realize.  It scares me, honestly, when I buy things, but can't figure out why I even want it.

Another issue relevant to me is manufacturing, waste and contaminants.  When I pick up that $10 shirt, what's the cost?  Unfair wages, contaminated fabrics, shipping pollutants, factory pollutants, plastic packaging that'll sit in a landfill.  The amount of things we buy, and the amount of things we discard disgusts me, frankly, and I hate that I am just as guilty.  I try to make good decisions, but convenience...oh convenience- it often wins.

Anyway, these thoughts and issues have led to a new year-long challenge I am holding myself to (and encourage others to try as well- leave a comment if you wish to participate!).

I'm calling it the purchase challenge (I know, pretty square- but it's accurate and low frills, just like the year will be).  I have decided to attack these issues, and my role in them, actively.  For 2012, begining January 1, I will not purchase anything NEW that could be acquired another way, and that which I do purchase, will be purchased from eco-friendly vendors that I trust.

So, here's the ground rules.
1. All purchases will be thoughtfully considered, and only purchased if deemed necessary.
2. The only things I will purchase NEW will be things that due to the nature of the item or safety reasons, should not/cannot be found secondhand.  Examples are underwear (ew!), groceries, hygiene/household products, etc.  You get the hint. (Note: In accordance with #1, I will only purchase these things if they are genuinely needed, and will make my own things where my skills permit, such as cleaning supplies).
3. All things purchased NEW, when deemed necessary, will be purchased from fair trade, eco-friendly, etc. places/vendors.  Luckily, I try to do this anyway.  We are members of a co-op, purchase meat from a local sustainable farmer, etc. so that helps!
4. Anything I decide I want/need that doesn't need to be purchased new can only be purchased if it can be found second-hand.  For example, clothing, games, entertainment, household decorations, etc. Again, you get the hint.
5. If I just can't find it second-hand, I can consider buying it new (in accordance with #3) but I have to honestly have tried all second-hand options first.

All of a sudden this sounds scary! In my head it made perfect sense!  But, it doesn't have to be strict and crazy, it's really just a way to be more conscious of purchases and the ripple effects of them.  Oddly, it really doesn't have much to do with money.  It's not about restricting myself from things, it's about doing my part- by putting my money into the small sustainable companies I support, by reducing my waste and environmental impact and by helping shift the paradigm from 'new, bigger, better' to 'simple and sustainable.'

I will write updates from time to time on this topic- including a post on first day of the challenge (or thereabouts since I'll be celebrating Christmas with my family on Jan. 1). 

If you have suggestions for great second-hand stores in the Twin Cities, please share them.

I invite you to join me, or at least consider it :)

Gratitude

I can always count on yoga classes to stir up motivation- and today was no different.  I took the time to attend two classes this morning, and I"m really glad I did.  The first was difficult and taught at a high-level.  From standing half-moon to warrior 3 variations to a bunch of other stuff I can't seem to remember right now, it was enough of a challenge that the days topic of gratitude didn't really have a chance to sink in. I then stayed for a beginner class, and with the slower pace and more reflective time, I was able to work with gratitude a bit more.

It occurred to me that at this time of year, so many of us begin to think about the things we're grateful for.  It could be the changing of the seasons that naturally promotes more self-study and reflection, it could be people gearing up for Thansgiving, or it could be a more social activity for some, as can be seen on Facebook and similar.  It appears we often say or think we are grateful for something, but how often do we show gratitude for these same things.  Or take it from just a mental or intellectual type of gratitude, to a more emotional or energetic thanks-giving.

The example most relevant to me right now is the physical body.  Just the other day I was thinking about how I am grateful that I am able-bodied.  I don't have any physical ailments, am healthy, am active and have the means to do what I want to do, on my own, without much, if any, assistance.  Many people don't have the "luxury"...it's neither good nor bad, just a different experience.  However, as an able-bodied person, I can't really imagine not being able-bodied, so it makes sense to me to be grateful.  I thought it, I maybe said it out loud and that was it. I moved on to the next thing.
Today, in class, we were asked to give thanks to our bodies.  I then took that further and thought about taking language out of the equation and just through my mindful movements and breath, showed my body how grateful I was for the work it was doing.  I used my heart to give thanks to my body, rather than using my mind.  It seems odd, it sounds odd...I get that.  But I ended a really difficult class with a new appreciation for what my body and breath were able to do, and a new understanding that they are capable of much more than I often give enough credit.  They are with me; they sustain me.  They are there for me- able to support me in times of happiness, sadness, joy, anguish and indifference.  And I got the opportunity to spend two hours just being with them today.  What a great way to show gratitude to myself!

The interesting thing is I didn't even realize, until after-the-fact, that often our gratitude is just at the spoken, surface level, rather than a true feeling or showing.  I'm just as guilty as anyone.  But yet, one's process of showing thanks is highly individual.  Not everyone would derive the same sort of experience I did, and many others may have a deep connection with speaking their gratitudes.  Whatever works for you, go with that.  In this season of shortening days, darkness and cool weather, take the time to reflect on what you're grateful for, and maybe even think about how you can live this gratitude.  Rather than just thinking it, how can we show and live our gratitude?  If it's a friend, maybe a personal card thanking them for their support would be nice.  If it's a pet, maybe a special treat could be fun.  If it's a partner, try giving yourself to them 100% and see what it feels like to be truly present to them for an evening.  The possibilities are infinite.  As has been discussed in other posts, I believe awareness is key.  Rather than just living mindlessly and taking advantage, we could all take a moment each day to be aware of that which sustains us, helps us, loves us, supports us and is of and around us.  There is much there to be thankful for.  Rather than giving thanks this thanksgiving season, let us show thanks.  May the beauty of our hearts radiate inward and outward.

I would like to add: Re: Mindful communications

As I was driving to yoga after posting the discussion about mindful communications, I realized I left out one sentence I find to be quite important.

It's not necssarily wrong (or bad or inappropriate or....) to say something we don't mean or to be polite and ask someone how they are if we don't really care, the point is to try to make conscious choices about what we are going to say (or not say) and try to be aware of the impact they may have (or not have).

I hope this clarifies.

Thoughts about mindful communications

In the journey for a more mindful, intentional, authentic life, I find myself less willing to interact with those who are not genuine.  I can often tell when someone is just saying something to make me feel better, or make themselves look better, and I quickly lose interest because it's all fake.  Maybe that's an exaggeration, but I strongly believe in acting from a place of being genuine.  If you don't care how my day is, just don't ask.  Maybe others don't agree with this sentiment, but it brings light to a larger topic, one that has hit home for me today.

I am currently working in an environment where I talk to a lot of people, albeit for a very brief time, and today I was reminded of how robotic we have become in our communications.  "Thank you," "How are you?" and "Have a nice day!" have become nothing more than generic phrases used in customer service that hold little* meaning.  I say little because sometimes it is genuine and the person muttering the phrase means it.  I have made the choice to say thank you when appropriate, but when I tell people to have a nice day, I mean it.  And I can feel the energy behind the words is different when I mean it.  My tone is different, my heart feels different.  That is genuine.

Today, someone came up to me and said, "How are you today?".  It took me a second to respond because I was engaged in the transaction he was doing, but then I said, "I am just fine, thank you for asking."  He looked very puzzled and asked what I had said.  I repeated, "You asked how I was today and I said I was fine, thank you for asking."  He then said, "Oh,...I asked that?"  He then walked away a bit perplexed.  I had a brief moment where I felt a little silly, but then my heart sank a bit.  Sometimes in the busy monotony of work, it's easy to get into routine.  I hadn't really thought much about mindful communication, and had settled into a routine.  I was partly sad that I've gotten comfortable and forgotten on many occasions to stay mindful in my work and be genuine.  But I was mostly sad for humanity, represented through this man who was acting no differently than most others.  As I was walking down a busy hallway later, I felt very alone and almost even invisible.  The people around me are like zombies (heavily caffeinated and sugared, at that) who are running around trying to please, get ahead and fit into society and have lost touch with themselves, each other, and the greater interconnectedness of it all.  I've been there; this isn't a high-horse scenario that I'm getting at.  It's about being aware, being mindful, and projecting that outward in an AUTHENTIC way.

My hope for everone today is to be mindful in our communications.  What we say, how we say it and even what we don't say carry enormous weight.  Speak from a place of love, from every part of you, and be mindful in your communication choices.  We can all work on this.

Let me know how it goes.  Even if you just work on mindful communication with one person, in one scenario today, you will begin to create a shift in perspective and habits. 

Thank you (truly) for reading.
Namaste.

An Introduction

I find it customary that a blog's first post discuss the details, the logistics, or the information that people may ask, so it's easier to spell it out from the get-go.  This blog, as the title and sub-title (hopefully) reflect, is about so many things it's hard to pinpoint the exact topic. If I had to, I'd label it as a conglomeration of topics related to the extensive field of holistic health.  If really looking holistically about health, it isn't just about policy, or treatments, or global pandemics- we're also talking about the role of spirituality and/or culture, alternative/complementary therapies, consciousness, movement, diet, meditation, community building, relationships, the role of the environment, and really, anything else.  But yet I have a focus.

In my life- which this blog isn't necessarily about, but would be silly to omit altogether- I am on a journey.  Aren't we all.  My journal to to wellness, or wholeness, and higher states of consciousness.  There are millions of paths that lead to the jewel within the lotus.  I'm not here to judge (I'm working on that one still), and everyone's path is unique, special and A-OK just as it is.  I am a serious student of all these holistic health topics, and in these studies, have realized I am not a healer in the conventional use of the term.  I'm not out to save people.  But I'd like to help you if I can, and the way I best can is by sharing information.  That is what this blog is for.  I want to provide you with useful information, things I am currently finding to be interesting/inspiring/useful in my own journey.  They say one can only help people to a level of wellness/health with which they themselves are at.  I work on me first, and it's a life-long journey, but I'd like if you came along for the ride, and hopefully I can help you with your journey too.  But with this, keep in mind that your path is yours.  It will probably look and feel differently than mine.  That's just fine.  Also, you may not agree with me on certain points.  That's fine too.  The only promise I can make is that I will speak honestly, authentically, and represent my true self in this venture.  I challenge you to do the same, be open to the possibilities, and see what the universe provides. 

This blog is for everyone, and hopefully by everyone.  Please feel free to comment, add suggestions, provide your own tools or learnings and help this community.  It truly does take a village; I'm no expert.  I will only share things I have personally tried or thought about, and I value the wisdom of the readers.  I will attempt to post regularly, but as with any creative venture, it cannot be forced.  When my heart has something to share, I will share.  I look forward to sharing with you.

I'll close the introductory blog with a quote:
"There is a candle in your heart, ready to be kindled.
There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled.
You feel it, don't you?"    
       --Rumi