Breaking the system…

I’ve heard that a lot lately. BREAK THE SYSTEM. 
It appears to me that it’s another way of saying: We want change. We want something else, this isn’t working anymore.

Yes, we want something else. The planet and all living things and beings really need it. 
Some seem to think that we should just stop paying our bills and taxes as a protest. 
Yes, I can see why they think this is a good way to protest against things that are not working, but really, we need some kind of structure to keep us from collapsing while we change the way of living. 
Just think of the garbage that will be laying around; commuting won’t work; hospitals and other (for now) important functions will be shut down. We are a few who could handle that, but what about the rest? We’re in this together. So, what to do?

Well, sitting around doing nothing won’t help either.

“The only way to be neutral on a moving train is to be asleep and it appears to me that you are awake.” 
One thing all of us can do is to show that there are alternatives. 
For now, let’s agree on that paying our bills is still kind of important, for those of us who have a job it seems like a good idea to show up and do what we have signed up for. 
So, what can we do differently?

It’s said that “The ones who hold the money are those who rule the world” so to stop feeding them your money in the ways that you can. For example you can start buying your things from small local producers, not only beneficial for your economy; most likely also for the health of the planet since you also cut the transportation.

Join a local, nonprofit, food network, the kind that buy things together from local farmers without any middle hands that are demanding profit. This will make it cheaper and also more sustainable since it’s seasonal. 
Buy your clothing secondhand, swap between friends or organizations that allow you to. 
Join in on actions in your community, such as help to pick up garbage in the city parks (yes, this is a way of helping some parts of the system and its also a way of helping people around us, think of it, if we would stop paying tax and our bills, there wouldn’t be anyone cleaning up in our cities so this is something we can start doing now). Take responsibility.

If you have read previous posts, you are familiar with that I see everyone as equal, yes, everyone. There’s no room for exceptions anymore. No one is above, nor below and no one is lesser, nor better. You and I is a we and that means we are in this together. All of us. Thats also why my opinion is that you do not make a change by arranging riots, use violence, destroying property etc. So far it has not worked. If we are striving for equality that also means the people working for the companies you might not like or the ones who runs certain countries in the world right now. 

In Amsterdam there’s a foundation named KnowledgeMatters, I got introduced to them in January by one of the founders whose mindset really sparked an interest in me.

KnowledgeMatters was created by a group of friends who all felt that it’s now or never to take action to create a different way of living, an equal way of everything on this planet. I know we might not agree on all things, I like how some of the ideas challenge my way of thinking and makes me want to know more about different topics while some things I feel I can leave to other since it doesn’t fire a spark in me. And that’s OK. I think you might feel the same way too, and that’s the beauty of it, to let people have their own interests, to share our thoughts without the underlying intention to somehow change other people’s opinion. If You want change, be the example, be the inspiration but never force it on others if they don’t seem to be interested. Just keep showing your way of life. I hope that I can contribute with my interests to this group too and inspire to change around world together with them.

KnowledgeMatters arranges weekly meetings where everyone is welcome to share their ideas, there are also one or two workshops a month on different topics, from how to make your own washing powder to becoming more conscious. These workshops are often combined with a docu night where we watch movies to learn more about whats going on in the world.

Here You can join KnowledgeMatters Facebook page , 

And here, the FoodMatters page 

Both pages hold inspiration for change and useful tips on everyday life and food. 

If you are in the Amsterdam area, please fell free to join us on the meetings and workshops announced on KnowledgeMatters page and the food network that FoodMatters is setting up right now. 

Let’s keep the train moving in this direction and doing that by being the change

Lots of Love,

Cat