The small struggles

All my time could be spent getting upset about the condition of the world. The news is full of outrageous injustice, evil and stupidity. When it gets right down to it, there's not all that much stuff that I can take effective action on. Of course I do what I can. My few dollars go towards those people and companies doing good and away from those who aren't. What little political pressure I can muster goes where it will do the most good. Like an Aikido artist, my weak efforts use the strength of my opponents against them.

In spite of the news; in spite of the world being crazy. I go though my day as best I can.

My lovely wife has been baby sitting our new grandson a lot. I helped her out today: made coffee, breakfast, fed and played with the kid a bit. Yes, I'm tough enough to be tender.

One of my new waste veggie oil suppliers called. His restaurant just changed the fryer oil. While there, I picked up some take out for my lovely wife and I. Might as well give them a little business. They've already saved me hundreds of dollars in fuel costs. A little take out doesn't hurt the budget. Besides, I know he uses quality oil and it's just been changed.

Over the last couple of days I've picked up over 100 gallons of waste oil. Considering that diesel is still hovering around 4/gal in these parts, that's a big savings. My stored oil was pretty low after my winter vacation, but it's building back up. Moving all that oil around keeps my muscles strong. Better than going to the gym.

We are all born into a world that was set up the way it is a long long time ago. Waking up to the flaws can be disheartening as no one person can totally disconnect from the system. However, that doesn't mean one can't do what one can, and that can be a lot more than they imagine.

The opposite of love is not hate, but fear. I refuse to be motivated by fear. Instead I go though my day as centered as possible. I chop wood and carry water. (and veggie oil, and maintain my solar electric system, and so on.)

-Sixbears