The Greening of Gavin

TGoG 109 – Kim’s Journey

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You’ve heard me talk many times about my sustainable living journey, but what about Kim? After all, she has been right by my side for the entire trip, so what does she really think about it so far, and how does she think she has changed along the way.

Kim and GavinIt’s an interesting question that we take a deep dive into during the show.

It all stemmed from a Facebook comment from Teena;

How is Kim enjoying her sustainable journey?  Life is very different since you watched Al Gore all those years ago and we have heard and seen how Gavin feels, but not Kim perspective.

And I tell you what, once we get going, Kim didn’t hold back either.

Great show, full of useful insights into someone who has gone from crazy consumer to a very mellow and caring woman who I love to bits!

What’s Up With Gav?

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I have had to scale back with blogging and podcasting this week due to a couple of issues.

Firstly, I lost my voice.  After interviewing 40 people at Monash Uni as part of my day job, I strained my vocal chords so much that I have had to resort to this;

Honey and Lemon

Honey and Lemon

That age of classic soother for a sore throat.  Honey and Lemon!  If it gets worse, I will opt for my Laryngitis cure of Thyme tea.  Therefore, there was no podcast this week, as I would have sounded like a croaky old toad.  Not a good sound at all.

Secondly, Kim has not been well for the last two weeks, with Ben and I looking after her.  She has had mobility issues, and very sore hands.  We believe it may be MS related.

We visited her GP on Tuesday evening, and he tended to agree, but wanted a spate of blood work to be done.  She is resting as I write, watching as she calls it “mind numbing TV”.  This ailment is slowly getting better, so hopefully we are over the worst of it.

So as you can probably tell, everything around here is on the back burner.  We are taking one day at a time, and will bounce back once we are all back on our feet.

See you on the other side.

Gav & Kim x

Sharing The Journey

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It is oft said that company makes a journey far more enjoyable.  I don’t know who first said it, but they were certainly right.

Imagine my surprise, (more like bursting with pride) when I checked my Facebook timeline the other day and found this post.

Sharing the journey

It fills me with joy that Kim is my life partner and is sharing the journey that we have chosen, along side of me.

I do not lead.  She does not follow.  We walk side by side in the quest to live more sustainably each day.  Some days we win, others are not so victorious, but we travel together, always.

I don’t think that I have ever said that sustainable/simple living was ever easy (well maybe once).  If I have, then I must have had a few too many home brews that night when I was writing that post!  But don’t get me wrong, it is certainly a lifestyle worth pursuing, now more than ever.

In a society that embraces the consumer culture as the norm and living in the rat race is an everyday occurrence for most, it makes me feel incredibly alive that I left that lifestyle behind long ago.  The hedonism of today is a disease inflicted upon many who follow it.   Constant need for entertainment, consumerism gone wild, mixed in with bouts of boredom, guilt and financial stress.  It doesn’t seem worth the hassle to me or the financial heartache, because I know from experience that it will more often than not end in tears and suffering.

Give someone a suburban yard with space to grow veg, raise chooks, plant a couple of dozen fruit trees, among other green endeavours and living a simple life with an understanding partner and family that supports them, you will find a very happy individual.  For they have built and grown an honest and practical life for themselves, learning skills for the future–whatever that may bring–leaving behind the trap of consumerism.

That is why I am so thankful that Kim wrote that Facebook post.  It may seem like such a little thing, but it confirms to me that we are indeed on the right path and gives me the courage to keep keeping it real.

So today, wherever they may be, here’s to supportive partners everywhere.  May they be loved and treasured and travel together far sharing the journey for a long, long time.

We are at our very best, and we are happiest, when we are fully engaged in work we enjoy on the journey toward the goal we’ve established for ourselves. It gives meaning to our time off and comfort to our sleep. It makes everything else in life so wonderful, so worthwhile. ~ Earl Nightingale