Archives for June 2013

Blogging is a great tool with which to reach out to others, especially when you cannot find like minded people in your area.

It is one of the many reasons that I started writing this blog, besides the fact that I had my story to tell.

This connection with others in the simple/sustainable living community is also a great way to meet fellow bloggers.

Now, as case in point, let me tell you about a lovely visit that Kim and I had from Lynda (Living in the Land of OZ), and Jessie (Rabid Little Hippy).  Both live withing 30 minutes drive of Melton, so we invited them over for morning tea.

They both arrive around the same time, however we got a big surprise when Lynda arrived with a chicken coop strapped to the back of her ute tray, and a couple of small Pekin Bantams in a cardboard box in the cab.  The chooks were delightful, and she has written a post titled “I am about to burst with happiness!”  I bet she is too the way she was doting over the two little girls ;-).

Kim made some cinnamon buns and I served up a quarter wheel of home made Caerphilly cheese.  Jessie also brought a freshly baked tea cake, and a loaf of sourdough bread.  Delicious.

Anyway, after a cuppa, great food, and a great conversation about all things sustainable, not to mention a good dig at the consumerism that surrounds us, it was off for a tour of the yard.

We all enjoyed the tour, exchanging ideas along the way about gardening, DIY and fruit trees.

Then, as we were saying our goodbyes, both ladies mentioned something remarkable.  They told me that it was my blog (as well as one other each) that set them on their own sustainable/simple living journey, and that it was our own transformation that had encouraged them to both to begin their own blogs with which to document their own adventures.  I was kind of taken aback, but in a nice way of course.  Amazing stuff.

So after hugs and goodbyes, we waved au revoir.  Kim and I really enjoyed the morning. Thanks Ladies for dropping by.

During the afternoon we did a bit of yard work, wrote a cheese press post, and tinkered around until dinner.

Later on during the evening, Jessie and Lynda’s parting words hit me like a tonne of bricks.  If I had influenced them in a way that they changed how they perceived their world and then took steps to change their lifestyles, how many others around the world had my journey and writing touched in the same way?

Tens? Hundreds? Thousands?

I guess I will never know.  But I do know this.  I came to realise that if you want to connect with like-minded people, I can think of no better method than to write your very own blog.

Not only will you make many on-line friends but you will make some great physical ones to boot.  Additionally, the opportunities that blogging opens up should not be underestimated.  I certainly never thought that I would feature on telly, or in local and national newspapers, and have the chance to write the odd article for a national sustainable living magazine.

But best of all, I have met so many wonderful, caring, and genuine people since I began writing this blog.  It is so very refreshing.

So my advice to all of you who are thinking of staring a blog in this community, don’t forget that as you tell your adventure to the world, amazing things will happen to you and to your many readers as you write about your very own small steps towards a more sustainable and simpler lifestyle.

Something for you all to reflect upon as you next press the publish button!