“You support what you love.”
Embrace the Within.
I got the tricycle up and running this past weekend. I took the tricycle down to the Amish bike shop and asked him to take a look at the gears and brakes. When I got the bike back, I had a flat front tire that I traded out the tube on and now everything is rocking and rolling. On my second journey of Sunday down to church, my tricycle riding brought the attention of my daughter and her friends much to my daughter’s embarrassment. BUT, being my child opens you up to a multitude of embarrassing situations.
Yesterday I took a quick trip up the trail and back, getting used to sitting on a bike seat and working on getting my legs in biking shape. Part of my plan is being able to get to my supply chain without having to drive and along the trail is the local farmer’s market and access to other local businesses. Getting myself in better biking shape will cut down on my travel time over walking BUT still allow me to take in the sights at a slowed pace.
If you want to change the world, you have to start by changing yourself. I am not going to get anywhere by having the best beliefs or the tightest argument or the best facts. I am going to change others through my changing example. If I want to be a champion of simplification, sustainability, and stewardship then I have to not just talk about those ideas, not just argue those ideas, BUT actually live those ideas. And flying to conferences, imposing legislation, putting folks in cages, fining folks for noncompliance, or any other heavy-handed coercive technique is not going to convince folks. BUT a little craziness in the eyes of the world just might.
Doing things the way we’ve always done them and going along with the crowd are surefire ways to avoid embarrassment and being a spectacle BUT they don’t make meaningful change. Change is only going to occur when we stop listening to things that do not align with our best interests. It is not in my interest to destroy my habitat. It is in my interest to be a better steward to the world around me. And this begins with changing the way I interact with my habitat, my community, my world. Set your heart in truth and find your path even when the world looks at you like you are crazy. At least be crazy for a reason.
Peace to your home. Bless your being. The reign of God is now. Have the day you want. I hope you find whatever you’re looking for.