Barbara Ford’s Recent Comments

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  Deep ecologists, including Joanna Macy, John Seed, and others, have been doing the work of helping activists cope with the emotional reactions we reasonably have to the crises at hand. Joanna Macy started in the 80's doing groups for activists in the anti-nuclear community, and wrote her first book on the subject- Despair and Personal Power in the Nuclear Age. Since then she has trained hundreds of people (myself included) in the Work That Reconnects, a powerful group process experience that helps people learn how to stay present to participate in the healing of our world. She has since written "Coming Back to Life" and has information and resources on her website- www.joannamacy.net. Also on her site is the directory of facilitators available to work with groups and organizations who feel the need for this kind of work.On Therapy on the Titanic posted 1 month, 3 weeks ago 4 Responses

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  Re: Lifestyle Changes... as someone who has been involved in a co-housing community for the past 1 1/2 years, I can attest to the positives in lifestyle change for the planet. Folks in my community have virtually all downsized, and are working together to share tools, skills, energy, and time to decrease our carbon footprints and increase our community connections. Sharing laundry facilities? Develop systems to help us all get our duds clean. Need the garden weeded? Many enthusiastic gardeners work in the common gardens while I (not a big fan of kneeling in the dirt) can whip up lunch for the work party (I love to cook). Need a tool? Ask in the parking lot, or send out an email- folks are always responding with generosity and care. Water concerns? We collect 24,000 gallons of rainwater a year to water the gardens in the summer. This plus we live on a bus route in a major city.

  Oh, and we have a permaculture farm too.

  Is there a down side? Well, you do need to consider how your activities affect the others close by, and we do make major decisions about the community together, but we still have our own living quarters, schedules, and lives. Not enough is being written about co-housing as a positive choice for the dreaded lifestyle change. 

  On Is 'lifestyle change' to be feared? posted 6 months, 3 weeks ago 11 Responses

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  another song option

  The lack of energetic songs has long been a irritant to me, especially ones easy to learn, and recognizable. While We Shall Overcome is deeply meaningful, it can still plod a bit in the wrong group. I've written other lyrics to "This Little Light of Mine" which moves along nicely, and folks can clap to as well....

  Live lighter on the Earth
  All for the Web of life
  (repeat x2)
  Web of life, Web of life, Web of life

  other starters include

  Speak truth to power now...
  Join hearts together now...
  Grateful to share the work...

  etc etc....On Courage and song at Green Corps training posted 1 year, 3 months ago 4 Responses