Mmmmassage

I've been over-stressing my body for years, I am sad to say. Last year, it responded by diminishing my breathing ability to less than 80%. Once my doctor helped me get that under control, my heart rate increased. Basically, my body was over-producing stress hormones (cortisol, adrenaline, etc) at such a high rate that I could no longer process them. The stress I chose to live in was manifesting in my body as fight or flight response, but I didn't need to do either! The excess energy translated into anxiety. ICK.

So, my body was doing what my mind would not: demanding I take better care of myself. This year has been a journey in just that. It's ridiculous, but I had to get over the idea that taking care of myself is selfish. By reframing being my best self as a job responsibility, I started prioritizing things like sleep, fun, and relaxation. I am getting glimpses of myself as a better person, and I like it.

At this point, any non-pharmaceutical intervention that lowers cortisol is a worthy investment. I am trying different approaches to see what works well for me. I've started practicing yoga again, reading for fun, and spending more time at home. I've even been to the spa twice in the last year--which more than doubles my previous number of visits! A good friend (who's a genius nutrition scientist) recently suggested regular massage. It sounds like such a luxury, and quite honestly, for many people it is. But health and wellness should not be luxuries! Massage is good for my mind, body, and spirit, and recent studies have proven its ability to lower cortisol. I am definitely willing to try it!

I still feel a need to justify this as a necessary medical intervention. But really, why should I? Last I checked, taking a Sabbath is in the top tier of the 10 commandments. It's required! And for me, taking time to myself and releasing muscle tension feeds my soul. Really, taking care of myself is teaching me about walking humbly. By accepting support and nurturing from others, I am becoming stronger. And I am so thankful!

Blood Cell Phones

Ok, Ben and I both have really ancient cell phones. We are mocked regularly. Obviously, we really don't care. There are a few reasons for our exceedingly unhip phones, which include the following:

a) Neither of us want to be chased constantly by our email or the internet, thus no smart phone

b) We have better things to spend our hard-earned money on than fancy phones and data plans

c) We just aren't that interested in electronics

d) We are humiliated and disgusted at the sourcing for materials for phones

The answer is e) all of the above.

Now, the time has come to shop for a new cell phone. The one I use currently is over 5 years old and waaaaaay past its prime--not good when my work depends on it. While I am miffed at the whole concept of planned obsolescence--why not make phones that are designed to last for those of us not into the latest and greatest?--I am far more disturbed at the thought that my purchase of electronics contributes to unspeakable atrocities half a world away.

What's a woman to do? There are no electronics on our market labeled conflict-free. And yet, for middle-class professionals, our culture essentially demands that we use them.

I am fully aware of my option to go ascetic. (In the eyes of some of my peers, using my apparently ancient phone qualifies.) But that would require me to change careers, finding a place where my clients don't need 24-hour access and I don't have to use a computer to document every interaction. I could turn a blind eye and buy a new phone anyway--we all know that individual boycotts have very little effect on the big picture.

Or, I could get creative. I could let my phone company know I am disgusted at my options (and I plan to!). And I can buy refurbished. Ok, the blood minerals are already in there, and that is not OK with me. But I don't increase demand for these products; in fact, my purchase will indicate that reusing resources and minimizing new production is important to me. And my letter will connect that to the need for ethically sourced minerals.

It's small, maybe, and plenty of people will tell me I am overthinking. I just can't imagine the women and children who endure rape and torture at the hands of the people selling the minerals think it is all worth it, so long as the thirty-something social worker in Indiana gets a cell phone.

Inspiration

If I could recommend one book on faith and social justice, it would be Everyday Justice by Julie Clawson. I wish I wrote it, and I am so thankful she did! It touches on justice issues that truly intersect with our lives daily and gives clear, meaningful information on why all of us should care. The writing is compelling and free of judgment, and the tips are practical and easily applied to daily life (for those of us in middle class US culture).

This book, among other things, inspired this blog. I hope my musings on discoveries, experiments, progress, and failures will help us all better understand how we can make daily choices which impact our world for the better. And I hope everyone I know reads Everyday Justice!!!

Simple Innovations

Thanks to DVR, Ben and watched a little Letterman the other night and saw President Clinton. He was talking about how many jobs we could create by building green energy and innovations. Simple example: put people to work whitewashing tar roofs in big cities. It's cheaper than roof gardens (which are better) but still saves a lot of energy and money for the building owner. He also believes that our country's best shot at economic recovery is building renewable energy sources on our own soil. It all made so much sense! But how do we prioritize real solutions and pragmatic progress when the political climate is so toxic?

We're registered independent. We like ideas that work.

Maybe Jon Stewart's Rally to Restore Sanity will change the tide of election season. It's hard to make progress when we're too busy fighting.

Wishful thinking? Maybe. I guess that conversation has been going for awhile.

Just Eating

After 10 days of eating potatoes and flour in Russia, Ben and I decided to be quite purposeful about what we eat this week. Enter Clean Eating Magazine.



We decided to stick pretty closely to their 7 day eating plan. We generally eat pretty well, but it never hurts to have some expert help.

Can I just say . . . eating well is expensive!

As a kid, everything we had was hard-earned. I learned the value of penny-pinching by necessity, not choice. We shopped smart and ate smart. We gardened all summer and canned in the fall. We did pretty well, considering, but I know that my mom would have rather had some wiggle room for more food opportunity--trading the tuna mac for more vegetables, for example. (My mom, to this day, does not enjoy tuna mac.)

As an adult, I feel strangely settled into the middle class. Penny pinching is a wise choice, but it is a choice. We pinch when we can, and we've found value in paying more for just food. We usually get our produce from Green BEAN Delivery, meaning our local and organic produce is priced a touch lower than at the grocery, and it's conveniently delivered to our door. While it costs more than conventional produce, we feel it is worth it to buy food that is better for the environment, better for the people who grow and handle it, has less distance to travel, supports local agro-business, and ultimately tastes better and is better for us.

Since we were gone for 10 days, the cupboards were bare and we had to hit the grocery store. We spent 50% more than we normally do. Granted, we were stocking up, but it was painful. My childhood taught me many ways I could have saved $$ at the grocery. Organic soymilk is twice as expensive as conventional cow's milk. Organic spinach is over 4 times as expensive as conventional iceburg lettuce. Conventional eggs are half the price of eggs from cage-free, vegetarian fed hens. You get the picture.

I don't fault consumers for pinching pennies, especially in these economic times. Our food system has made cheap, abundant food mainstream--and even so, people are struggling. But food producers and suppliers (and I'm talking about top levels here) have been cashing in at our expense. Aside from issues of sustainability, how did it come to be that overprocessed, lower-nutrient foods are the norm? Why is it cheaper to eat yellow cake from a box than to eat a spinach salad? Why should it be a luxury to eat well?

Ben and I struggle with this as we weigh the cost of conventional vs. local, organic dairy. It hurts to pay more, and sometimes we go for cheap. But we can afford to shop our values, so we strive to. And basic economics tells us that increasing demand for quality food can lead to lower production costs, right?

I could write about food for days, and many people have done so much better than I could. Check out Food Inc or In Defense of Food, for starters.

Waiting for Superman

I'm not a big Oprah fan, but I'm home sick today and tuned in. Today Oprah is doing what she does best--bringing awareness of a social issue to her (largely) middle class audience. The topic: our broken educational system. The documentary Waiting for Superman exposes just how outdated our current education model is and shows how unequal access is to quality education. While some people can afford to send their children to excellent schools, or are blessed to live in good districts, others are stuck with unacceptably bad education.

First: There are SO many quality teachers out there. I had many of them as a student, and I know many of them as an adult. Kudos to each of them. I hope their enthusiasm spreads.

Second: Most parents I know care deeply about the educational opportunity available to their children. Not all of those parents have equal resources to affect that opportunity.

Third: The program asserts that if each of us cared about education for all children the way we care about education for our own children, then everyone would be better off.

What do you think?

I think I'm going to watch the film. Then I think I am going to learn more about my local school district--not just the ones "my kids" attend.

Check out the Harlem Children's Zone, an innovative and transformative approach to education and community with excellent outcomes.

Just Living, Round 1

Why the heck am I starting another blog?

There are so many blogs I love. I love how Dana shares her discoveries (and excellent taste). I love how Nancy shares her family adventures, while Julie reflects on a lifestyle of service. Carla always tells the truth, even when it's hard--and I always learn from her. And Cara, the lovely woman who suggested I start a new blog, reflects on the little thoughts, feelings, and ideas that come along, integrating them with musings on weightier matters.

So with these and so many more blogs out there, why another?

After months of conversation, Cara thought we should bring it public. We’ve shared the challenge of living in our culture without relying on exploitation or long-term harm, as well as our plans for taking time for ourselves and our love ones to enjoy the simple things. Both of these are lessons I am seeking: living simply, living in justice . . . just living.

I care very deeply about matters of justice and mercy. As an American, it is extremely difficult to live those values in an integrated way--as it stands, I am typing this on a laptop which likely contains cadmium sourced from oppressive warlords. Perhaps my soapbox issues don’t make the best dinner conversation, but I am drawn to them no less.

While I spend my days as a social worker and volunteering in global issues, I believe that everyone can change the world. We need electricians, bringing light and warmth. We need financial services, managing the funds we use to care for ourselves and others. We need medical professionals, academics, engineers, and service workers. We need technicians. We need full-time parents. Our society needs everyone, working together and caring about justice, to make the world a better place.

So, after this winding all over the place, why the new blog?

To give and receive encouragement with other people seeking to act justly in their daily lives, beyond the way they earn a living.

To share my heart in loving mercy, and to share what I learn from others who love mercy.

To reflect on lessons in walking humbly, as I am finally learning the importance of caring gently for myself as I seek to care for others.

I don’t promise brilliance, innovation, or even entertainment. But for people considering how daily life affects the world—in global and local issues of justice, and in the lives of our family and friends—I promise conversation, ideas, and encouragement. Like my friends, I’ll share tips and daily musings, reflect on my career, and speak honestly from my perspective. And I promise a deeper glimpse into who I am as I seek to live my values; living simply, seeking justice, just living.

I hope you’ll join me.