Unexpected Encouragement
Despite the quiet here for the past few weeks, quite a bit has been happening offline. I've been writing more (see the Editorial section for recent articles) and making contact with some fantastic people involved in social design and community projects. But on top of the usual challenges brought on by this project (a few more cutoff shorts, lots of trips to the Food Coop) and arranging for future visits (I'll be in Los Angeles next week and will get the chance to drop in the American Apparel factory), it's the interests this has stirred up in myself and in others has been really exciting.
It's really been encouraging when people from all over write that my project is thought-provoking or something that they would love to do. The idea behind this is to show that it's possible to make informed consumer decisions, so the more folks thinking about it, the better. But I'm also finding it surprisingly moving when my friends and family call to tell me that they've been inspired to make a connection, or take a considered approach that they wouldn't have otherwise. Just this weekend, a friend from Boston who I don't see enough, called to tell me that he's been following my progress and thinking of ways to help in the clothing arena, but then he told me that he's decided to take something on for his forthcoming 30th year as well – some personal challenge or social cause. Imagine if everyone took a year to re-examine a part of their lives more closely!
Then yesterday was my dad's birthday, and he and my mom took the afternoon off to celebrate. She called me to share the exhilaration they felt when they spontaneously pulled off a side road near their home in south eastern Massachusetts at a pumpkin patch. They chatted with the white-haired farmer who couldn't have been more pleased to show them around, pluck ears of corn straight from the stalk for them, pick vegetables and tell them all about his garden. They could only understand about 75% of his rich Italian accent, but he was loving telling these strangers about his passion and his story, and they were going to enjoy dinner knowing the hands that planted and cared for everything on their plates.
I truly believe that craving the knowledge of who and where everything comes from is infectious, it's really exciting to see it spreading.
It's really been encouraging when people from all over write that my project is thought-provoking or something that they would love to do. The idea behind this is to show that it's possible to make informed consumer decisions, so the more folks thinking about it, the better. But I'm also finding it surprisingly moving when my friends and family call to tell me that they've been inspired to make a connection, or take a considered approach that they wouldn't have otherwise. Just this weekend, a friend from Boston who I don't see enough, called to tell me that he's been following my progress and thinking of ways to help in the clothing arena, but then he told me that he's decided to take something on for his forthcoming 30th year as well – some personal challenge or social cause. Imagine if everyone took a year to re-examine a part of their lives more closely!
Then yesterday was my dad's birthday, and he and my mom took the afternoon off to celebrate. She called me to share the exhilaration they felt when they spontaneously pulled off a side road near their home in south eastern Massachusetts at a pumpkin patch. They chatted with the white-haired farmer who couldn't have been more pleased to show them around, pluck ears of corn straight from the stalk for them, pick vegetables and tell them all about his garden. They could only understand about 75% of his rich Italian accent, but he was loving telling these strangers about his passion and his story, and they were going to enjoy dinner knowing the hands that planted and cared for everything on their plates.
I truly believe that craving the knowledge of who and where everything comes from is infectious, it's really exciting to see it spreading.
Labels: The Project
posted by Scott at
10:56 PM
2 Comments:
Scott,
Do you have a tour arranged at American Apparel yet or are you dropping by? Either way, I'd be happy to help you work on arrangements. We'd love to have you.
Shawn Shahani
American Apparel
shawn@americanapparel.net
We here in Australia believe in the power of encouragement and are looking for like minded people to join with us in encouraging others. Please have a look at www.theencouragementfoundation.com.au
Have a blessed day.
Julia
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