Thoughts on Dependence and Independence

[InvisibleTouch]

I haven't been as active in this forum as I'd like to have been, though I do browse.... As a self-employed person, I am at the moment in fast-forward "survival mode," because the sales I make between now and Christmas will have to sustain me over the coming months. So, not much time and energy for other accomplishments. But I've been very much living the principles of this forum, and keeping the philosophy of dependence and independence in mind.

Independence, or self-sufficiency, if you will, has always been a big deal to me. If you're dependent, in any way, be that emotionally, financially, or for irreplaceable elements of your survival, then you're vulnerable. Someone else, someone who holds the cards and is more powerful than you, can turn the screws on you and force you to comply to their agenda. That's why Republicans want to keep people in poverty and chained to wage-slave jobs. Because then they have no choice but to work for a pittance under heinous conditions merely to survive, and cannot strike out on their own in contradiction to the system. Or so we're led to believe. What's needed in such a situation is a paradigm shift. We're led to believe that we need certain things, certain services, appliances, conveniences, that we must act or spend our lives in a certain way in order to survive - and if you step back from the indoctrination, it simply isn't true. There are other ways. Problem is, if everyone in the world dropped out of the race and pursued those "other ways," the whole system would fall apart. Individuals would survive, and would survive well. Big corporate entities would not. So, they don't want us to think for ourselves and explore alternatives.

Dependence, and the power it gives others over you.... I've experienced this personally with family members, who have tried to use financial clout to force me into a life path that they thought was right for me, never mind what I knew I needed for myself. (Thus I am the ultimate non-conformist today....) It's less obvious when we think of our dependence on big business and industry, but even more dangerous and insidious if you think about it. I've been looking at every aspect of my life and trying to think, "How can I make myself less dependent on outside forces?" Now, I know on some level that you can never be totally independent of the rest of the world, but I firmly believe it's possible to get pretty damn close. I have a long way to go, but I'm determined.

Right now, my main "revolt" is in terms of limiting my purchases to unmistakable needs rather than wants masquerading as needs. This includes (and is sometimes a tough battle for me) junk food, collectibles, little conveniences. But I'm happy when I get sale flyers in the mail and find that, while my first response is still "Oooh, sale! Maybe I can get a good deal on what-have-you" - and then I realize, even better than getting something on sale, is not having to buy it at all. I'm thinking creatively in terms of Christmas presents for pets, family, and friends. A little money will be sucked into the corporate system, unavoidably. But not much.

What can we do to foster our independence? Choosing the right foods is a big one. Eat "lower on the food chain" in every possible way - more plant material, less red meat. Less packaging, more bulk and wholesale. More fresh, less processed. My ultimate goal is to raise my own food, but that will require moving to an appropriate piece of land and climate. I'm working on that.

Additionally, good nutrition will keep you independent of another insidious institution: conventional medicine and the big drug companies. Now, there are undeniably times when we need conventional medicine. But, as Andrew Weil says, conventional medicine excels for life-threatening and acute emergencies. It's virtually worthless for chronic conditions or as a preventative. That, we must do ourselves. Take back control over your own health. Research nutrition, vitamins & supplements, alternative care that you can do yourself.

Power companies, gas and electricity ... this is a big one for me. I don't tolerate the cold, but I live in a cold climate. As a result, my air conditioning bills in the summer are literally zero, because I neither use nor need air conditioning - but my heat bills in the winter are astronomical. I'd rather skip meals, than lower the heat. At the same time, I know that money is going into the pockets of some of the worst environmental abusers that exist, that I'm consuming a non-renewable resource, that I'm ultimately trading off my physical and emotional comfort for financial harm to myself, and uncountable harm to the world. (Though at the same time, when I'm warm enough I don't get sick, don't need a doctor or other manner of treatment, my productivity stays up, etc. - so there *is* an added legitimate benefit.) Though I have fond expectations of one day using solar panels to provide all my power, the only true solution for me at this time, is to move to a warm climate. Again, I'm working on it.

So really, I'm just rambling to hear myself think today. :) Maybe my ramblings will inspire someone else. Look at where you're dependent, in the world. Where could some person or corporate entity turn the screws and bring you to your knees if they really wanted to force you into compliance? What can you do to extricate yourself, as much as possible, from any such potential blackmail? What do you rely on from outside sources, that you could realistically do for yourself? What do you rely on from big business and corporations, that you might obtain more directly from a fellow Progressive? Again, think "lower on the food chain." Less goes to waste, more power flows to the individual.

Protect your own sphere. Don't let anyone tell you what you need. You decide what you need. No expert, no outside force, no opinion poll, no "everybody else has one," can make that decision for you. Anyone who tries, either feels threatened by your nonconformity, has an ulterior motive in keeping you dependent (read: vulnerable), or simply hasn't thought about it at all.

Paradigm shift. Lower on the food chain. No retreat, no surrender.

[Kenneth ken]

1. nice ramble

:hug:

Lots of good thoughts in there. It does require a paradigm shift, and can be mentally tiring to make the shift. Especially at first, because there are so many ways that society is interconnected. I think it is probably just like any journey though, one step at a time is the best way, and it gets easier as the choices become more habitual.

In terms of eating, for instance, it is difficult at first to shift away from 'easy' prepackaged or already-made food choices, but the more often we choose real food, and preparing it ourselves, the more that becomes habitual, and so the normal option. At some point, it starts to be wierd to think of buying prepackaged food. Then it becomes one less think to consciously think about, and so frees up mental space to think of other good-for-you options.

It can be overwhelming to try to change everything at once. Like being tied up maybe; one can't undo all the knots at once, but work to loosen, then undo one, then move on to the next. :)

:hi: