Considering Powers

Today, let's start with the power of convenience. 

We have become incredibly accustomed to having what we want right now. It's an amazing power of modernity that we very rarely have to wait. Whether we are pulling up the show we want to watch (remember when you had to wait a whole week for the next episode), getting fresh tomatoes in January (...you might not remember when you had to wait until July to get fresh tomatoes, but I assure you, that was a thing), or ordering whatever you want to be delivered to your door within 1-24 hours. (As I sit at the coffee shop, an amazon delivery man is bringing in two packages - amazon is an excellent example of this power).

Why is this power a problem? It sounds pretty great.

The just in time economy requires huge, globalized infrastructure, financial vehicles, and labor practices that not only have a huge environmental impact, but also extract from vulnerable people and concentrate wealth to unfathomable degrees. 

Just think about what it takes for that tomato (or fill in any other ingredient) to get here in January. To achieve that kind of scale, we aren't talking about small farms in the south. We are talking about the clear cutting of the Amazon to make more farmland. Think about the labor to prepare the land, harvest the toms, the fuel to transport it across an ocean, then to the middle of the country. Think about the logistics involved. Think about who profits.

Could we give up some "nowness?"  Maybe it would mean eating seasonally from local farmers whenever possible. Maybe it would mean not buying from Amazon. Maybe it would mean just not getting something that would be nice to have right now. 

The story that we should easily be able to get what we want right now is a very powerful myth that is in full force. It almost sounds crazy to suggest that we might ought to wait for something or not get something. It's practically sacreligious, so strong is this myth.

What other powers could we find through giving up this convenience?

• Rather than rush off in a car to get that missing ingredient, maybe we would borrow from a neighbor. It wouldn't be as easy as ordering it from instacart, but we would build a bridge, and maybe even a friendship.
• Rather than get that movie off Amazon Prime right now, when we realize we have to wait a week to get it at the library, maybe we go for a walk, again meet some neighbors, or feed some birds, or pick up some litter making our neighborhood a nicer place to be.
• Rather than order a new vacuum cleaner off Amazon when ours isn't working, maybe we sweep for a couple weeks until the next repair cafe where we learn that the fix isn't that hard. (And maybe we share with a neighbor in the meantime).
• Rather than order in food after a long day at the computer, maybe we invite folks for an ingredient potluck. See what everyone has in their fridge and cook together.

By giving up the convenience of having what we want when we want it, we can gain new powers that get us things like:

• friends
• trusted neighborhood relationships
• neighborhood care
• strengthened local economy
• supported regenerative farmers

See if you can practice giving up the power of convenience this week and let us know if you gained something in its place.

Peace be with you,
Michal
Co-founder of RSFIC