Human doing is the problem.

Wiradjuri wisdom for our blinkered souls.

A cartoon

A thought

Is Human Doing the source of many of our problems?

I have been a fabulous human doer all my life, I’ve got so much stuff done!

I’m coming to believe that all this doing is a big part of our problem, especially if we haven’t paused or reflected long enough on why we are doing the doing.

I am enjoying Claire O’Rourke’s book “Together We Can - Everyday Australians doing amazing things to give our planet a future”.

I am particularly touched by a section called Deep Ties, where Claire speaks with and learns from Wiradjuri author and ancient society historian Nola Turner-Jensen.

Nola says “In our culture, you can’t fix one problem without fixing all that’s in relationship to it, that’s the very basis of our thinking and our philosophies, everything’s connected. Like a respected uncle says, you can’t have connection without knowledge, and you can’t have knowledge without connection.”

I think the western/colonial world I was born into has always emphasised knowledge as more powerful and valuable than connection. I’m feeling my way to understanding that both are important and interconnected. Connection to other humans, to birds, animals and landscapes is required.

Nola explains that “In a Skyworld society, who you are as an individual is not important; who you are in a kinship relationship to everything above and below ground in your local living landscape is.”

I am exploring, what does it mean as a descendent of colonialists, to belong in this land? How do I put aside the guilt that comes with my white story and learn how to be connected here? The only place I have ever called home.

Nola explains, “If you are connected to a place, you honour it by learning about the living things around you, so you might share in their strengths, and give them yours when they are in need.” Nola invites those of us with colonial roots to learn; “The capacity to learn our ways and thinking is what we’ve wanted from the very beginning but very few have been willing to take that up”.

Nola believes our lack of responsibility for people and places is getting in the way of healing country and people. I think the place to start that repair is to spend more time being a Human Be-ing. It is in being we can pause long enough to notice the creatures we share space with. In Be-ing, we rejoice in the beauty of the fog, the dew glistening on leaves, the frost sparkling in the sunrise. We can slow and pause long enough to feel. To share empathy with others and to dream and co-create more beautiful futures.

What will you be today?

Tiny action

I committed a few months ago to start prioritising IRL connections in my local place. I have finally decided how I would like that to look and feel and have committed to giving my local Landcare group a go. Where and how are you connected locally, or if you are like me and have been way too busy doing, could you try being more connected?

Glimmers and sparks*

My glimmers for today are:

• A beautiful pink camelia bush exploding with autumn blooms.

• The full body warmth from an open fire in a little local cafe.

• Slow Sunday with nothing screaming at me to be done!

Li’l bean is your reminder to pause and ask: What are your glimmers for today?

From your friend and your small, steadfast companion,

*Drawing Li’l Bean helped me navigate out of a period of depression in 2023. A good friend 13, 595km away, helped, too, through a ritual of swapping daily glimmers via text.

A glimmer is a tiny spark of hope, enthusiasm or joy that lifts your heart. By helping me find three glimmers each day, she gently helped me see the joy and beauty already around me.

I’d like to share this practice with you and invite you to reflect on your glimmers for the day when you read this. Think of Li’l Bean as a reminder to notice the glimmers and sparks in your life. We’d love it if you would like to share your glimmers in the comments or by hitting reply (if you don’t like sharing publicly).