Categories: uncategorized
Date: 27 November 2005 09:52:50
Yesterday we actively decided to go for Buy Nothing Day and I have to admit it is only because of Third Party being a stronger character than me with succeeded, (if you don't count the unreal spending of neo-points to ensure our Neopets didn't suffer).
The big problem we encountered was that whilst I had taken the advice on Maggi's site about stocking up on bread and milk, etc I hadn't considered tv money, (at this point I should explain our tv rental works on a system where we save money for it whilst we watch - £1 = 6 hours). We ran out mid-morning and as I had not allowed for this I would have had to go to the cash machine & then the papershop to get required change. Anyway this was where Third Party came into her own, whilst I was fretting about X Factor and the Saturday repeat of Priest Idol. She pointed out that the whole idea of the day was about sacrifice and thinking about the people who made the goods. She advised that rather than either buying the Guardian and saying the need excused the act (as I was inclined to do) we should sacrifice that evenings tv and think about the people who made the plastic and put the thing together.
So it was that we spent the evening reading, I got more work done than if the tv had been on & read a book on my shelf that is in someways related to what I'll be learning on Monday, but wasn't on the reading list (almost a first). The book was "Reinventing Theology As The People's Work" by Ian M. Fraser & really made me think. It made clear that theology is for the community, not just the academic (although that has a role). As somebody who has recently started studying it within the academic setting it made me realise that I am not coming from it totally cold, also it was good to be reminded early on in my course that I am not studying to gain any special knowledge, but rather to learn how to contribute in one area of the debate.
The key I believe that I had underlined is the need to listen, and not just to the professionals or the grown ups. Third Party had clearly developed an insight that I hadn't and where as I was thinking of and in my situation she still had the ability to think about the wider world. Perhaps thinking outside the totality is another gift of innocence?