Living more consciously

For many years now, I have been mindful of the need for our global society to live more consciously. What does that mean? Very simply, just slowing down enough to think through the impact – on our earth and her people – of the hundreds and thousands of decisions we make every day, and seeking to make the very best decisions we can.

Many of us are so busy we make decisions we know are out of alignment with our values.  Perhaps we don’t even have time to wonder or notice if we really feel good about the decisions we are making.

Very often I have seen people working in jobs where they are fully focused on making the world a better place. However, in their commitment to the cause, they end up lacking the time to notice challenges and inequalities closer to home.

After over a decade working in the international development sector, I have come to believe very deeply that making the world a better place starts with ourselves. We must, through our daily actions, be a positive example to our children, to our friends and to others whose paths we cross. If we want to positively influence the wider world, we must model the actions and behaviors that we would like to see adopted by society at large.

We must find the space to make sure we are spending our money with companies that  sell ethical products: those that nourish our bodies and minds and invest in improving communities and habitats. At the very least, the companies we buy from should not be exploiting people or destroying our precious environment. We must, through our patience and non-violent communication, model a better way to support each other through these troubling times.

As the pace of life speeds up, and the world feels ever-more turbulent, more and more people are realizing – there has to be a better way. We need to support each other through sharing resources and reminding each other that the little things we do every day really do make a difference.

At Eco Retreats, conversations about eco/sustainable living, conscious parenting, meditation, slow living, nutrition and many more happen organically. We’ve discussed and recommended books and shared recipes and off-grid living tips. Now we are creating a riverside teahouse and conscious living centre to provide a physical space for people to come together, browse our resources and feel inspired. In time, we will also be hosting workshops. Watch this space for further news!

Whether or not guests choose to visit the teahouse – many may prefer simply to relax in their private living space completely undisturbed – I hope that the experience of slowing down in the forest will allow some space for reflection. I hope that, as people return to their everyday lives refreshed and inspired by the forest, the ripples of that feeling will flow out to our society. I hope that, increasingly, we may all do our best to live a little more consciously every day. Because that’s all it really takes.

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Margaret Rose

Margaret Rose

Margaret is a mother, entrepreneur, traveller and writer. Her love affair with wild places began many years ago as she lived and worked in some of the most remote areas of Africa. She and her family lived off-grid for 7 years and experienced first-hand the joys and frustrations of “voluntary simplicity.” Today, she is passionately committed to creating beautiful spaces which allow people to slow down and reconnect. She is a firm believer in the power of the thousand tiny choices we all make every day to change the world.
Margaret Rose

Margaret Rose

Margaret is a mother, entrepreneur, traveller and writer. Her love affair with wild places began many years ago as she lived and worked in some of the most remote areas of Africa. She and her family lived off-grid for 7 years and experienced first-hand the joys and frustrations of “voluntary simplicity.” Today, she is passionately committed to creating beautiful spaces which allow people to slow down and reconnect. She is a firm believer in the power of the thousand tiny choices we all make every day to change the world.
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