How to STICK IT TO THE MAN with your friends

Just yesterday the Treasurer Joe Hockey delivered a federal budget that has made many of us very angry. It is a budget that negatively impacts the most vulnerable people in our community while mining companies, defence and big business are benefiting from massive funding injections.

The abc shared this handy graphic to help us navigate the budget. 

Click here to see it. It's really worth a look.

Anyway... This whole thing has got me thinking about how I can respond to this in a way that is actually effective. Sure, I can be a click-tivist and sign every petition that pops up in my Facebook feed. I can write to the government to express my rage- a good thing to do- I'm sure they take a little bit of notice of these things.

I've decided on a different approach though... I've decided to try and identify areas where people might struggle and address them creatively... so without further ado, here are my handy hints on:

HOW TO STICK IT TO THE MAN WITH YOUR FRIENDS

1. Go out and meet your neighbours 

You never know, they might need something you have and vice-versa, therefore helping you to rely on each other rather than a system that will no longer give you a hand-up

Sharing dinner with our beautiful neighbour Mayra

2. Join or start a local food co-op 

This is a great way to meet people, get away from the supermarkets and to stop relying on "the man" for your basic needs

Or go "food rescuing"!

Or even better - GROW YOUR OWN!! 

3. Raise some chooks 

Another way of bypassing a nasty system, plus they are just delightful to have in your life. Did you know that chooks have personalities? One of ours is super adventurous and we re-named her Harriet Houdini because she could escape from any enclosure. 

4. Donate your cash to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre 

Nothing sticks it to a xenophobic government like loving those problematic "boat people"

At Light the Dark silent vigil for slain asylum seeker Reza Berati

5. Find entertainment that is FREE

Join the local library; visit your community neighbourhood house and see what they have to offer; go jogging, cycling, roller skating, climb a tree; start a book club; eat IN with your pals; hang out with some ducks!

6. Start a 'resource-share' among your friends

Why would we buy six lawn mowers when we could just share ONE?! Do you have a food dehydrator? How often do you use it really?? You're lying! Now go lend it to you pal. 

You can borrow my Vietnamese coffee filter if you like! 

7. BARTER!

Do you have a useful skill? Are you a hairdresser? Well you might need an accountant! Hey... that accountant's hair is looking a little muffin-ish... see where I'm going with this?? (side note.. MY hair is getting a little muffin-ish and I have a LOT of skills I could offer you so please get in touch if you wanna make this thing happen!)

8. Look out for the little guy

If you are a person of means who might not be affected so much by the budget cuts please don't do the whole selfish "I'm OK Jack" thing. Have a look around you. Is there a person who has lost their job due to funding cuts? (that happened to me a few years back and it hurts), is there a family that is struggling to make the $7 medical co-payment? Please stop saying "$7 isn't much!"... It's a lot when you've got nothing. If you can afford to give to a charity that helps people who are struggling please do it. Or support people directly. Offer the hand-up that the Government will no longer give vulnerable people. And please, just think before you open your mouth because the things you say can be very hurtful, disempowering and belittling. Ok? Good.

9. Have a cup of tea and relax

It will be ok folks. If we support each other we will all be fine. Individualism is lonely and SO 1990! We are in this together. 

Do you have any other tips to help us to stick it to the man?? I'd love to hear about it! 

Finding joy in spite of the darkness

Why hello there!

After feeling such a heaviness and sense of despair about the plight of asylum seekers in our country I have decided to try and find some beauty in the midst of the cruelty and I think a wonderful place to start is with the Light The Dark vigils that have been held across the country in memory of slain Iranian asylum seeker Reza Berati.

In Melbourne alone, over 5000 compassionate people gathered together to honour the life of a man that desperately wanted to be an Australian. We stood united with our candles lit and joined with many thousands more around the country to send a clear message to the Australian government that we do not support the current cruel and unjust immigration policies.

I have a lovely friend and neighbour who also happens to be an asylum seeker. Being friends with her, helps me to stay grounded and not get lost in the despair. Just the other night she cooked a wonderful meal for me and about 20 of our friends at a weekly community meal we share together. She gives to our community in such a rich way even though the government thinks she has nothing to offer. Our government says she and her little boy don't belong here but they are here in our lives and we are better because of them.

Another little snippet of joy in the darkness was an encounter I noticed at the vigil. A lesbian couple stood in front of me and as Father Bob Maguire spoke about being free to worship "how we like, where we like and with whomever we choose" the couple looked into each other's teary eyes and leaned in to embrace one another; their relationship affirmed by a member of the church, as I believe it should be. I think I saw healing happen right there. It was lovely.

What have you noticed lately that has made you feel good? Has there been anything in your life that has countered the darkness? I would SO love to hear about it.

xox