Chittister's commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict last week had me thinking about the upcoming Christmas season, and how to approach gift giving this year. In reading the chapter on ownership and simplicity, and her words about not us(ing) things - not even the simplest things - to restrict the life of another by giving gifts that tie another person down, I'm wondering how best to approach this consumer driven time of the year. I enjoy giving gifts, but I wonder now if I am just weighing folks down with more stuff.
Lisa reminded me of the gift of goats earlier this month. It's something I've heard through World Vision, and that I stumbled upon again through Action Without Border's Idealist. They highlight an article from The Guardian, but I like the thoughtful comment left by Eliza Penick, highlighting Heifer International, which sounds like a wonderful organization:
While it's true that goats are changing the world, Heifer works with thirty different types of animals (varying from cows & goats, to agoutis & silk worms), dependent upon the region, culture & needs of the people. With the gift of animals, Heifer provides extensive training to prepare for the animals' arrival: food, vet & reproductive needs & how to utilize the by-products of the animal. The training & education that Heifer provides is as important as the animal itself. At the base of each of Heifer's projects & included in the training, is Heifer's cornerstones, many of which address concerns raised in this article such as accountability, animal management, sustainability, & gender equity.
As Chittister goes on, beyond as she says, the ideas of personal freedom, I am confronted with the crux of community living of which I am trying to live, but have found difficulty with these first few weeks of November. She writes:
Simplicity is also the basis of human community. Common ownership and personal dependence are the foundations of mutual respect. If I know that I literally cannot exist without you, without your work, without your support, without your efforts in our behalf, without your help, as is true in any community life, then I can not bury myself away where you and your life are unimportant to me. I cannot fail to meet your needs, as you have met my needs, when the dearth in you appeals for the gifts in me. It is my ability to respond to your needs, in fact, that is my claim, my guarantee, of your presence in my own life. In community life, we genuinely need one another. We rely on one another. Community life is based on mutual giving.
I find myself enjoying solitude more these days than spending time with others. A balance I know I need to keep attention on. I find that even after such a short time of living by myself, I'm having to rediscover the rhythms of living with others, of having doors open, and of pouring myself out for others on a daily basis, which I've been reminded is essentially all of our duties - of living out gospel love wherever we find ourselves. It is so easy for me to become wrapped up in my own worlds of film, books and writing that I can isolate myself very quickly and fail to be present to the needs of others, and to the community around me. How does one nurture ones own fire in solitude, while welcoming others to the fire?