The eagle-eyed amongst you may have spotted that I have changed the tagline that appears in the header on every page. It used to say ‘small steps to sustainability’ because documenting such steps was the original aim of my writing. However, I have come to realise that, because of the way things have evolved, that isn’t exactly a great description of what I write about now. Over the past three years I have become increasingly aware that what I want is a kinder world – one where we care for the environment and for each other. That’s not to say that I don’t think sustainability isn’t an important part of it, just that I want to emphasise the broader goal. Originally I was going to change the words to ‘small steps to a better world’, but on consideration, I think ‘kinder’ is more appropriate for my current goals.
So, what have I done on the kindness front recently?
One ready for stuffing and another on the needles
Well, there’s the knockering of course. I’m currently signed up to make five of them and I’ve just ordered some more soft cotton yarn, which is what they are made of.
I’ve agreed to have a #chumbrella to trial. This means I’ll be going out into the world with the aim of offering to share my ‘dry space’ with anyone who wants to. I plan to take it to the International Permaculture Convergence in September and share it with the world!
I’ve been kind to myself by giving myself plenty of time to think about an offer of some possible work. I’m not sure that I want to jump “out of the frying pan into the fire” as far as teaching is concerned, so I’m going to think very carefully about what I take on and where I go from here.
Not sure which one was responsible… I have grovelled to Peter the builder
I’ve been kind to builders… making lots of tea and ensuring that they are happy to be here (despite a ‘paw marks in cement’ incident earlier today).
And I’ve done some ethical shopping, nothing frivilous: loose tea and coffee transported home in our own containers; a visit to the local farm shop; and I’ve ordered some replacement bamboo water filters (no plastic in those).
So, how have you been kind this week?
The Snail of Happiness 
katechiconi
/ May 27, 2015I’ve refused plastic bags in favour of my own cloth or string bag every day this week (yes, *that* string bag!). I’ve cleaned the ceramic filter on my water filter again so I don’t need to buy bottled water (tap water here tastes disgusting, full of chlorine). That’ll be 5 years now from this one filter. And last but by no means least, I’ve been kind to myself. After a very, very long wait, my reconstructive surgery is finally scheduled, and it’s months, not years away. 🙂
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ May 27, 2015Hurrah for you! Glad to hear the reconstruction is now on the cards..
Do you know I had completely forgotten that I had made you a bag… clearly senility is setting in!!
LikeLike
katechiconi
/ May 27, 2015Surely you remember the Mint Chocolate bag! All those lovely green lurex strands among the dark brown….
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ May 27, 2015I do now… in fact I have it’s twin partially made… must finish it once the rush for knockers has died down 🙂
LikeLike
katechiconi
/ May 27, 2015Sadly, there will always be a demand for knockers… All sorts of highly inappropriate comments and puns are now crowding my brain. Must…resist…temptation….
LikeLike
thecontentedcrafter
/ May 27, 2015What an excellent question! And I like the new by-line very much. I believe we are creating a kinder world – it just doesn’t get talked about that much in the media – which is why I am enjoying a love affair with the interwebby thing currently! I am also most happy to hear you are considering carefully a new job offer. Frying pans and fire and all that have indeed become worthy of our consideration! Self kindness in action! I used to tell my women when they applied for jobs that the purpose of an interview was also for them to get a feeling for whether they would like to be employed by the person or people interviewing them. Gut instincts are quite reliable…… So often we become anxious to make a good impression and forget that they also have to do the same for us.
I made myself a new key dangler yesterday – recycling used beads and pretty things as my old one was completely mashed! I like them because they are weighty, pretty and make it really hard to lose your keys 🙂 I spoiled myself 🙂
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ May 28, 2015Looking forward to seeing a picture of your new dangler!
The offer of work was not sought and I am not sure that I would have chosen to look at this stage. It’s always flattering to be approached in this way, but being flattered is no reason for doing anything, is it? So, I’m going to request more details and then have a good long think… actually my gut is saying that I should follow my heart (my word, we are getting biological!) and finish some of those knitting/crochet patterns I’ve been working on to sell.
LikeLike
thecontentedcrafter
/ May 28, 2015🙂 for ‘biological’! Life seems to be intent on teaching me that I must listen to my gut. Every time I don’t I become unhappy with what ensues …… but that’s just my experience 🙂
LikeLike
arlingwoman
/ May 27, 2015Mostly I have been the recipient of kindness this week! Which, of course, is also a good thing. I like the #chumbrella idea as we are entering ‘thunderstorm every day at 5:00 pm’ season. Once, a woman whose husband was picking her up at the curb handed me her umbrella as she got in her car! Now that was a random act of kindness. And Pauline is right: think about whether the job will be good for you and what you want to do. Best wishes for the best decision!
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ May 28, 2015It’s very important to receive as well as give… sometimes, though, I find it difficult to accept graciously. I love your umbrella story – what a great gesture 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
gentlestitches
/ May 28, 2015i love your new tag line. I think kindness is the hope of the world. Me? I am letting more things go. XX
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ May 28, 2015I too am letting things go… I have decided that anything in my life that isn’t a positive doesn’t really have a place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
KerryCan
/ May 28, 2015I think the new tagline is so appropriate! It fits you perfectly! Not sure I’ve done much this week to make the world a kinder place–I’ve been pre-occupied with my husband’s drama. But I’ve definitely been on the receiving end of much kindness!
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ May 28, 2015I’m sure your husband thinks you’ve been kind! Anyway… all that kindness of others has to go somewhere!
LikeLike
narf77
/ May 28, 2015I made cakes for our college class. I also made gluten free, sugar free brownies for a lecturer who had a diabetes scare. The recipe almost gave me a diabetes scare. I now feel incredibly sorry for all of the people living the deluded lifestyle of the “Paleo” after spending an hour and a half looking for a “recipe” to make for the poor man. What I created was edible but not, in any way, “food” in my world. Kindness is walking a mile in someone elses shoes and arriving at your destination profoundly grateful that you can get out of his shoes.
LikeLike
The Snail of Happiness
/ May 28, 2015I’m really not convinced about this ‘paleo’ diet lark and you are confirming my worst suspicions!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
narf77
/ May 29, 2015Apparently it allows you to be “holier than thou” and look down your nose at everyone else who eats grain and doesn’t quaff cream by the litre. Not sure that I like any diet that gives people cart Blanche to be eejits! 😉
LikeLike
insearchofitall
/ June 8, 2015I’ve been brought up short. I did not notice the new tag line but think it’s quite appropriate. I don’t notice my own either. 🙂 I think we are working toward a kinder world. When I think how harsh it was just a few generations ago, I think we are making some progress. Just a very long way to go still. I saved all my plastic grocery bags from 5 years ago that were wrapped around my stuff in boxes. I saved the better of the boxes too. Those plastic bags have made all my moves with me and just recently, my daughters move. She put all the bags and boxes bag into storage for the nest inevitable move. Nothing going to the landfill. When we are all done with them, they get recycled and made into something else. I shop everywhere with cloth bags. I even have 2 that clip onto my purse so I am never without one. We all need to be kinder to our planet and to each other. Treating each person the way you want to be treated is not so hard. Thanks for keeping us on our toes.
LikeLiked by 1 person