You are not a consumer; you are a human being!

Isn't it amazing how many different kinds of seeds and grains there are in this world? I love grains. I'm like a little kid who wants to touch everything when it comes to grains. I love the texture of them, and I like to feel them run through my hands. :) Tonight I made a sweet quinoa dish: http://www.danispies.com/archives/breakfast/quickquinoa_breakfast.php



That entire website is lovely, though not everything is vegan (or even vegetarian). It's worth a look at any rate. (http://www.danispies.com/)

This morning I woke up with a very strong conviction to not consume. I took this to mean that one of my guides - internal or otherwise - sent me a message during the night. I interpreted this as all consumption: food, drink, items, etc. I made no purchases today, and only drank water or tea ("plant-flavored water" as some like to call it). I brought along a little "tea kit" which I put together this morning since I didn't have to make my usual lunch. I also put together this 110% recycled booklet to keep thoughts in during the day since I wouldn't be using my electronics.

I didn't do the cover drawing until later on in the day, though. ^_^ I doodled when classes got dull. The book's cover is 100% recycled brown paper, and the white pages inside are simply the back of old, printed reports that I had lying around from school. So every tiny bit of it (except the two staples) is recycled. I wanted to use ribbon for the binding, but I didn't have a hole punch or enough time.

Anyway, the "tea kit" contained a liter of filtered drinking water, three varieties of tea (red strawberry, white peach, and a flowering herbal tea), a small jar of local, organic honey, and a teaspoon. I borrowed microwaves on campus to heat the water in a little travel mug that I had with me. I was gone for more than 12 hours (that's the norm on Thursdays) so I had to plan ahead.

I didn't even listen to the radio this morning because I didn't want to "consume" the advertisements, cultural stereotypes, and negative info they would be "selling."

I had hunger pains all day long, and frequently got cravings, but I knew it was important that I do this. I kept telling my stomach that we were not eating today, and it would just have to make due with (and be thankful for) what it already had. -lol-

***After meditating a short while when I got home, I concluded that it was ok for me to eat a whole grain and some fruit. That's why I made the quinoa; but I made sure to make enough for tomorrow, too.***

My literature class was canceled today, but no one got the e-mail. When it was announced, most of the students started in with a chorus of, "aww, man! I could have slept in!" They moaned, groaned, and complained all the way out the door, and I just thought how sad it was that they were dwelling on all the things they could have done, instead of focusing on how they could now make the best use of their free time. Instead of leaving, I stayed in class and got two days worth of reading done for another class. Then I flipped through my deck of "52 ways to make a difference" that my friend gave me for my birthday, and found one that relates to consumerism:

"Shop less - Keep track of (or just notice) all the things you consume in a day. There was a lot for me. Every five minutes I wanted to go do something else or buy something else or eat something else. It was never-ending! Did you really need all of them? No, I usually didn't. What needs were you trying to fill through your purchases that perhaps could be met in another way? Take inventory of what you already have. How much of it is essential and how much is just clutter? Have a yard sale, or donate the clutter. Use the time you would be shopping or earning money to afford new things to do something you really enjoy. Get simple and lighten your load so you can remember that you are not a consumer; you are a human being."

The deck is this one (though it does not originally come from Amazon):
http://www.amazon.com/52-Ways-Make-Difference/dp/0811812995

I spent lunch time at Barnes and Noble, since I needed to keep my mind off of food. This was the lunch menu:

Appetizer ~
A healthy serving of curiosity

Entree' ~
2 hours of learning and knowledge

Dessert ~
A small bowl of relaxation topped with goodwill towards others.

They didn't have the particular book I was interested in, which I've been turned on to by another blogger (http://healingtheriftbook.com/) so the woman offered to order it for me but I had to decline. I'd rather not pay B&N mark-up. I'll try to get it online somewhere. In fact, if anyone has the book and is interested in doing a book-swap with me so that I can read it and you can read one of mine, just let me know... So, instead of reading that book, I went into the gardening section. I found a great book on composting which gave me a few more ideas for my own compost bin. (I've been wanting to start one for the longest time.) The only problem is that I don't have worms. *laughs* How often is not having worms a problem?! :) I'll probably be ordering some online soon. I also did a quick Reiki session on myself in the car, and took a cat nap with the windows down.

My boyfriend let me practise my chair Reiki on him last night. At first he said he didn't feel anything, but then said he started to feel "good." After a few minutes he started crying. I asked him what was wrong, but he couldn't explain why he was crying. I guess it has to do with the emotional healing that comes along with Reiki, and when I explained this to him he felt better. To my surprise, he actually asked me (rather embarrassed) tonight if I would do it again. That's very nice for me to hear. I was so pleased that he asked! So, more Reiki practice again tonight, and probably another session on my angel fish. ***Please send her some Reiki if you haven't already. She's very much in need of it.***

Today's motto: "Just for today, do not consume." I was quiet for most of the day, and it opened my eyes to a few things I'd never really paid attention to. I highly recommend that everyone give it a go.

All the best everyone! My heart is filled with much joy and love right now, so I extend it all to you. <3