Sustainable living

Our elders know all about sustainable living. Some call it survival – others call it common sense...
From Clapham North to the Caribbean they are able to live within their means
( although it is becoming more difficult now)unnecessary waste is almost viewed as sinful - an embarrassment - and virtually unheard of. From making clothes -to growing food – and preparing home cooked meals... It really is no big deal.

I was thinking the other day about depression – and why it seems to be more prevalent in the UK/West than in places like the Caribbean or possibly Africa (That’s my experience anyway.. you can let me know if you disagree)

Here in the UK most of our time is spent indoors – or within four walls of some kind.. whereas in the Caribbean a great deal of time Is spent outside - food is often cooked or consumed outside – clay ovens are still in use - and there has always been a closer connection to nature in the growing of food – rearing of chickens and tending of land.
Things are changing for sure. The Americanisation of the Caribbean now ensures that Kentucky and other fast foods have seeped in the people’s consciousness – and drink and drugs provide an uneasy distraction – an uneasier money. All of which are influences that the people could well do without – but they exist none the less - and many view this as progress.

Ironically – the very way of life that people here in the UK aspire to have appears to be the one that is being eroded away in these far flung countries.
So when did we lose our common sense? When did we stop listening to our parents – and start listening to the government? When did we forgo our faith in humanity only to worship at the altar of the state?
Have we sold out the wisdom of our elders only to buy it back repackaged and at twice the cost?
Considering the fact that the retirement age has gone up – and people are being expected to work for longer – maybe we need to hire some of these elders to write our sustainability policies - or even deliver a cookery class or two... After all – who knows better than them?