Begin with local (alternative) economies
Writing in Difficult Times
Yesterday, I wrote that resistance must begin at home. Resistance, like imagination and hope, begins in the human heart and mind, rises organically, and finds strength in our principles and integrity. Principles and integrity are spiritual food, indeed. Soul and spine food, if I may. That said, we are embodied beings, and our physical bodies need food, clothing, rest, warmth, care, and community, too.
As things get “worser and worser” in our nation, we, the people, will now need to find, create, sustain, and participate in local, and often alternative, economies to meet our needs. We must stand for, defend, and support our democratic and civic institutions as best we can, and at the same time, not rely on them as we have.
Basically (and I am turning a noun into a verb here) we need to “village.” We need to become (again) local communities of local people (not corporations) who know one another: who know our neighbors, farmers, and craftspeople, our fire fighters and police officers, mayors and council people, our librarians, teachers, sewists and tailors, gardeners, seed-savers, storytellers, carpenters, repair people, grocers, artists, ministers (ordained and not,) elders and youth.
Beyond knowing our community, we must participate in it; one way to do that is through the creation and use of alternative economies. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, “alternative economies,” are not newfangled ideas, they are actually ancient ideas, ideas that most human beings have lived with and by for most of human history. We know how to do this. Alternative economies are based on mutuality and the common-good, and are already being practiced widely, if a bit under the radar. Alternative economies are barter economies, sharing economies, economies which give and trade goods and services. They are based on need and ability.
Here are some ideas (in bullet points, because I know you appreciate them):
Frequent your town Library. Go there to read a newspaper, to borrow books, tools, movies, seeds, and whatever else they may lend.
Give or trade your extra things. In our town there is an unspoken understanding that things in good condition, left on the front lawn beside the road, are free to anyone who needs them. (Be sure to check with your town before doing this)
Join a “Buy Nothing” group on social media.
A trusted borrower and lender be (despite what Ben Franklin advised.)
For things you must buy, buy from local, independent sellers whenever possible.
Attend local plant and seed swaps. Bring something to share, go away with something new to grow and harvest and share again.
Join a local CSA. Know which local farmers and growers are organic. Know how they treat their soil and animals. Support them according to your principles.
Share produce. If you don’t grow your own, but are a good cook, offer a grower to take some zucchini, and give back some zucchini bread. Get creative.
Start a community book club at your church or community center.
Offer classes in those spaces, if you know how to knit, teach knitting. If you know how to preserve food, teach others. If you write, start a writing group. If you teach yoga, teach yoga. You get the idea.
Offer a few hours of help to someone start a new garden, build a compost pile, plant a tree, or put up a clothesline.
Barter tomatoes for raspberries, or kale for cucumbers.
Share what you can and be open to receiving what you need.
Respect others boundaries and abilities. Become community.
I would love to hear your ideas, and what you may already be doing. Please do share.
I know things are hard right now; I know we are all unsettled. That is alright, we are in a new reality, we will all make mistakes and have successes. Let us lean into these times with our feet on the ground, our arms linked in solidarity, and our minds and hands open to new possibilities for becoming more resilient, more generous, more loving. This is where our hope lies, so, may it be so.
Courage my dears. Love one another.
🥰🥰🥰🥰👍