just-in-time enjoying versus just-in-case hording

Sitting in the store of Tia Maribel/Aunt Maribel, I watched as a young woman purchased one pencil from the box of about 10. I thought how interesting that in the US I do not know if you can even buy a single pencil. I think you just buy a whole box of 10. Then I remembered a couple years ago watching Xavier buy just a single razor at a corner store and thinking how different it is than the US. Recently I read an article about, what the author was calling, just-in-time enjoying versus just-in-case hording. The point was that some cultures and people are preoccupied with accruing, saving, thinking about the future, worrying about scarcity, and believing more is better while others are much more concerned about the present moment, acquiring what is needed now, not worrying so much about unknown futures, and appreciating the abundance. The article really touched me because I DO horde, especially food. I buy lots at a time (I love bulk items like rice and nuts) and am afraid to use anything up without buying another first. I have a fear of being without in case I need it...whatever it may be...mustard, ginger, almonds, rice. And some, such as my sister, call me a pack rat. :-)

As a watched the woman buy her one pencil, I remembered how when I first arrived here I tried to adapt to the daily run to the market to buy food for just today's lunch. Yet I am so accustomed to a weekly shopping run and stocking up. (Of course in the US your market is not usually a block away either.) And while so many of us are filled with thoughts of scarcity, I wonder how many really have appreciation for the abundance that we are blessed with. I know I often forget and need reminding.

So for at least today, let's try to focus on the many abundances and enjoy this moment rather than worrying so much about the future and what scarcities may lie ahead.

Love and Blessings

sign petitions to stop the destruction of lands, homes, and lives

This is happening very close to where I live. Because of this a friend of mine had to cancel her visit to come for Xavier's and my fiesta, another friend had to rearrange her visit with me, in my own city there are vigils and praying and today everything is closed down, and they have forbidden all gatherings for the next 60 days....will we even be able to have our fiesta now? anyway, this is just the tiny personal touchings. nothing compared to the dozens killed. the official report is 30 - 40 indigenous but the police have been killing, bagging, and tossing bodies into the river. there are over 150 indigenous missing. Please sign this petition. at least it's something. this is all happening because of the free trade deal made last year btween Peru and the US. ah yes...once again the US....

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=rT3Mp%2BjwWJC9oD9awMj6vZZKlKHU3Lxs

http://www.avaaz.org/en/peru_stop_violence/?cl=250248084&v=3461

results of the US-Peru free trade agreement

I just wanted you to know about what is going on near where I live in Peru. Indigenous people, infuriated by the taking and destroying of their Amazon land due to the free trade agreement made with the US, have been trying to make their voices heard to the Peruvian government. It really came to a head this past week, when a friend of mine, Dana, came for a visit and we had planned a trip right through the area involved. Unfortunately, many indigenous and police have been killed in the conflict. Dana and I changed plans, staying here in my town for her whole visit. While we were still able to have a splendid time, the indigenous have been fighting for their lives. We went hiking to a mountaintop, visited ancient cave/wall paintings, lunched with family, picked and ate caña/sugar cane and coffee beans, tromped through Xavier's dad’s farm, collected a variety of fruits, chopped down a banana tree, bought our food at the busy Sunday market, learned to play the cajón, and drank wine. I wish the indigenous could be in a better situation as well.

Peruvian Police Accused of Massacring Indigenous Protesters in Amazon Jungle

http://www.democracynow.org/2009/6/8/peruvian_police_accused_of_massacring_indigenous