Living differently, living radically

The title of my blog is Learning to live Differently. Recently I've been reading a book by Shane Claiborne. He is an american Christian who is inspired to live differently, and lives with a community of other likeminded people in Philadelphia. His point is basically that we need to live differently and radically in order to mend the problem of the world. I have been challenged by much of what I have read, and found it tying in with living below the line.

Here's what I read this morning:

"Recognising the connection between war and oil, resources and global conflict, some folks have been exploring alternatives. We know folks who have organised their lives in such a way that their homes are located where the can walk to work or take public transportation. Others have made their bikes more comfortable for use for daily transportation and capable of carrying groceries. ... These people have chosen to reduce not only their personal costs and the amount of gas they burn but also their participation in the vast, international, wasteful system of processing and transporting (and fighting for) fuel before it even makes it to a car. (And hey, less energy is spent on finding the best new diet or exercise video.)"

I started off my very first blog wanting to tell you about tractors and sewing machines. This whole issue about warring for fuel, which leaves so many people hungry and homeless is is striking a chord in me. I allowed myself to try to work out what I would need to do in order to really reduce my dependence on fuel and the byproducts of it (such as plastics etc).

I think....

• I would have to live and work in the same place.
• I would have to produce my own food - hence the farm.
• I would make my own clothes and be careful where I got the material from (not from halfway across the globe). (hence the sewing machine).
• I'd have to live in community with others who have different skills so that we can help each other.
• I wouldn't run a car, just a bike or ride a horse. 

... can you see where this is going? 16th Century aloha.

So - I can't go back to living in the 16th century - well I could, but I'd have to find a fairly large number of people willing to do it with me, and a place in which to do it - none of which are making themselves know to me at the moment, so I'll take it that I stay where I am.

But how can I live differently, taking these thoughts into account? See you tomorrow.