How do Changing Populations affect me?

There's no doubt - the world's population is increasing. While there are some older, grayer countries which have shrinking population concerns - in general me procreate, produce more, need more and fight. Populations are effecting considerable change on our planet ecologically and otherwise.

Here is a blueprint for your participation in building a world we can all share together harmoniously.

"Use this GDP/capita maximum from estimate maximum global GDP/capita consistent with a non-declining GPI/capital. Assuming better access to family planning services in high population nations, it should be possible to limit the global population to no more than 9.6 billion people. This is the number of people that could be equitably supported by the current global GDP/capita of $67 trillion at approximately $7000 per person."

Somewhere between $5000-$7000 is the maximum sustainable per capita dollar amount which we can use to continue to live on a sustainable planet. To reach this number we all have to consume much less! What is our short run carrying capacity? How do we improve our ecological footprint?

Basic human conditions dictate, we all have to drink water, eat, have shelter, travel, learn, and create.

Right now, we're still expanding our economic pie; while most of the world subsists off crust (crumbs).

 

We are so caught up in crazy world problems of tech, social networks, and our corrupted version of time that we are missing a passing of existing planetary usage and servitude to stewarding commons!

If you are thinking of visiting or joining us on a visit to Argentina

Part of the reason I picked up blogging again within the themes of this travel, health, and cultural exchange blog is that I want to encourage others to enjoy some aspects of Argentina as we have.

If you are thinking of visiting or joining us on a visit to Argentina - here are some lovely truths about the Argentine people.

Travel makes us healthy (see below).

Some people believe Argentina is the Best Place in the World! I can say this for certain, it merits a nice long visit. You will not be disappointed.

It humanizes us and puts the kind face on the other.

What is your cupid health? Camus, Jainism, and Harmless Good Health

“Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.” - Albert Camus

Most of friends and family are strong and won't give up. All those who have are a blessed ancestry!

Giving up is Not wrong or anything like it. We all have limits. Some are shorter than others. In fact, I also love Camus' take on that: Philosophically Suicide is the First Question. Not encouraging, just sharing. Once you decide to live; and, once you make a commitment to try out the Impossible and begin a line of communication with an "Other" - you are essentially committed to healthy harmless living. Most of us who decide to practice harmless living come to this from a religious, universalist, or spiritual perspective. Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism, all have some wonderfully explicit instruction on the benefits of harmlessness. This does not mean a lack of action either. It is lovely, for example, how the use of harmless and pure interchange in different translations of Phippians 2:15. One of the best examples of the practice of active harmlessness is Jainism seen in India's capital Delhi. Jainist religion was founded around principles of non-violence, vegetarianism, and harmlessness. In this lovely and ancient religious edifice the top floors are reserved for the healing of animals. Injured animals are brought from all over to receive care and compassion here.

I ask you all, how can I serve you today?

......
I have not successfully committed to a life free from killing and violence toward animals. If you commit to anything else but this; again, my limited experience speaking here - your Other will come back and rain fire on you from the depths of HELL. Or some such discomfort will be shared with you.

I have a psychoanalyst uncle who has practiced in NYC now 50 some years, his answer is simple, Keep Working on IT. But, he also assures me with all his experience, realize how difficult change is.

Long winded introduction to this blog post; but, it is a way of saying something I had heard and perhaps have learned in years of travel and adventure now - you: Take IT with you.

Some great travel gurus have put it this way - people who go on extended travel or live as expatriates fall in two to three camps, those who are running away, those who are running to, and those who are lost permanently. I can agree with the characterization and generalization; though most of us combine elements of all three.

......
So my blog question is this: What is your cupid health? What are you doing to find happiness and fulfillment; satisfaction, understanding and ease; harmlessness and joy; and mindfulness in an Other?

When we are young, when we continue to be young at heart, when we have hurt ourselves through experience, sickness, or aging, there may follow an 'ah-ha' moment or renewed sense of life: Use IT.

In one way or another most Ancients had things valid and generous to pass down to us on subjects of love, trust, happiness, and faith in Others. Shamans, Gurus, and Scientists share these views today.

Don't be afraid to unwind, but nothing will stop you shorter ways up mountain than a road of excess.

Eat healthy, Be healthy, Treat people healthfully. In all these ways be harmless.

Expose yourself to improve your health. Practice peace actively. Start from where you are.

Believe in the history on our ancients. Know that in explaining we bring new questions to the fore.

Change comes to me with tiny successes. I know that there is truth; it is in me; and it is complex.


In closing.... I ask you all, how can I serve you today?

"In the next few years the struggle will not be between utopia and reality, but between different utopias, each trying to impose itself on reality ... we can no longer hope to save everything, but ... we can at least try to save lives, so that some kind of future, if perhaps not the ideal one, will remain possible."

ALBERT CAMUS, Between Hell and Reason

What is your biggest reservation you have to get over before taking the leap? The "Great escape" is neither Great nor an Escape.

Nathan:Will everyone who is interested post here or send a question asking either: 1) What benefits would you expect/prioritize in travel-healthcare and/or family first choices; or, 2) What biggest reservation do people you know - who like this idea - still have at taking the leap? I need more feedback to be able to answer questions and plan to help you make an exit nathannola@gmail.com 

Question #1 is from a talented woodworker, husband, stay-at-home dad in small town New England:
 
Mike: The biggest obstacle I see is getting the time away from work. I can see on the baseline how costs can be offset by savings, but the obstacle of having a job to come back to is a big one.

 
For living abroad, extended travel abroad, or any health vacations or family first decisions we make - when it is really a big choice, a difficult choice to explain (or get permission for), if it seems too expensive or perhaps semi-permanent in any sense - then how we plan to do our leaving basically means how do we come back... in one piece. This is real and needs significant preparation.

For those who are following the beginnings of this plan/blog Mike pointed out to us a "great escape" quagmire: How to leave basically means how to get back more than peace; alive, affirmed, healthy. 

Short quick answers are just that: easy and free of the real details. Here are the easy answers; you have to (!) reduce debt and costs before leaving, have a plan to create zero or very little debt (!) this is also as a perspective cost of leaving, you cannot expect to but may possible be able to make money or set up a foundation for making money abroad, how can you lower costs abroad, will you be able to come back with new skill sets, spend newly acquired time adjusting or planning or executing new businesses, microenterprise, or career shifts to come home to. What are your street chances - do you hustle, play music, make jewelry, teach English, Teach Kids, teach Yoga on a beach, build a website, start a school. What can you do in a free Year, six months, three months 72 hours, one day, 4 hours?

Are you eligible to get your family a front on a small inheritance (!) , are you an able to articulate and be honest enough to be a recipient from friends or family (!) ; or, can you save and have the money and/or monjob you would need lined up when you leave... Or... take a (series of) shorter practice trip(s), take a sabbatical, take a forgiveable loan, fundraise, build a nonprofit, get church support, or make your trip your mission. One way or another, unless you are a trust fund victim, a gun or drug dealer, a permamooch, or an insidiously advantaged loaf - you will need to adopt one or many of the above characteristics. The key I would offer - who are you in service to? What am I missing people? 

One simple truth is that perspective is great.... once it is past it cleans up. We go, it is hard, we are miserable and scared, times are tough, we are tested; yet we come back and remember the best times.

So knowing that should be empowering.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-ratner/rare-old-color-photos-of-_b_6513044.html

http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20150116-living-in-2015s-hottest-cities