Radical Dreaming

This season’s holidays provided the much needed down time to go through my writing note books, incomplete posts and projects. Amongst the sprawls and scribbles I found the half written poem “Radical Dreaming”. After watching Don’t Look Up and with New Years Eve rapidly approaching, I decided to rework the poem into a post as an intention for the new year rather than traditional New Year resolutions.

So what’s your radical dream for 2022? here’s mine!

Radical Dreaming

Capitalism is a corruption of love.

In our desire to own and possess ourselves through our possessions we have neglected and exploited the natural resources which quite literally provide us with heaven on Earth. We have over consumed our path towards planet destruction like the Ouroboros devouring it’s own tail. But just as the mythical beast can symbolise death and rebirth, creation and destruction this moment is an opportunity to reimagine and birth a new society.

If capitalism is a corruption of love then a reformation of love can save us.

And as ‘Courage’ originates from the Latin “cor” for heart, it is time to be courageous. We need to act from the heart because we must act outside of our own comforts, interests and egos to work collectively to tackle climate change. We must risk our freedoms by defending the right to protest.

We need to be brave. Brave enough to put down distractions-whether they be digital, consumerism or the bottom of the “locally brewed” bottle. It’s time to be accountable and refuse to support the system which is depleting and deleting our planet. It’s time to reclaim our seat at the table or starve to death as our planet dies. It is going to be uncomfortable. But with community we will get through it. If we acknowledge the seriousness of the problem but dream outside of the current antiquated structures, we can build governance systems founded on empathy and equality not elite capital gain. We are so used to acquisitive ideals that alternative models sound like fairy tales or distant dreams but in reality many are living in a daily nightmare.

I know that individuals can’t recycle their way out of climate change – it takes structural changes by governments and corporations – I can question the motivations of my actions and purchases. Thus making changes that may be uncomfortable at first, but in the long term lead to a more fulfilled way of life. Ultimately joining with others to work towards those common goals that respect and empower the wider society and our planet.

My intentions for 2022

Reduce online time.

https://erjjiostudios.com/environment/the-internets-environmental-impact-how-you-can-help/

Stop buying new clothes (and photo frames…cushions… etc)

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/the-uks-fast-fashion-habit-is-getting-worse-and-its-destroying-the-planet/

https://www.freecycle.org/

https://www.traid.org.uk/

Reduce food waste and learn how to grow and preserve food

https://www.gov.uk/apply-allotment

https://toogoodtogo.co.uk/en-gb

https://www.yourlocalpantry.co.uk/

Join a local group/ community.

https://www.sistersuncut.org/ https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/ https://theleap.org/our-work/ http://www.wftucentral.org/ https://extinctionrebellion.uk/ https://www.theclimatecoalition.org/show-the-love

Show The Love – Activity Pack

Always choose LOVE