TheSortingHouse, Author at The Sorting House

It Takes a Village

Creating resistance between all of us is exactly what keeps us from moving forward here. Regardless of how uncomfortable it might be, we need to recognise that our ancestors pillaged and decimated lands and ancient cultures to create these beloved and so-called “civilised” societies we find ourselves in today… and it goes on (hello medical and technological “progress”).

We have created societies that so happen to be destroying our planet and all of its diversity along the way. These very societies were built using the free, or “cheap” labour of our enslaved brothers and sisters. We can only move forward by integrating that, looking at it, admitting it and working together to change it, there’s no other way around it.

Peace, Presence and Passion

At times it can be tricky for us to be present with ourselves, others and the world as we are constantly being bombarded with thoughts and information. It isn’t always easy to decipher which passions are ours, or those of the collective.

Our unconscious takes us way back to our past, projects us far into the future, and leads us away from the place where we actually are right now.

We do many things without really paying attention. We listen to close-ones with our minds elsewhere. We traverse splendid landscapes without even seeing and rejoicing in the beauty of the world around us.

No real joy, nor quality of being, or relation can exist without a certain quality of presence.

Can We Buy Happiness?

“Happiness is buzz word, happiness is sold, bought.
People attached to the material when our spiritual lives were depleted, to finally fade imperceptibly and give way to this neat image that advertisements, that society refers us to.
The path to happiness is long, we manage to identify it when it radiates around us, and when it encounters another radiance from another being in passing; then by resonance, it comes back to us.
This warm feeling, soft as a caress, this energy which transforms perception, this energy of an unimaginable force which leaves no room for doubt … the force increases tenfold, becomes clearer, beauty is seen, it radiates .. . “
_{Sarah Marquis @explorer_sarahmarquis – www.sarahmarquis.com
Quote from the French version of her book ‘Deserts d’Altitude‘ –
Unofficially translated by Natacha Neveu @thesortinghouse}

My Path Has Been Different

Sunset at the Etang de Thau, Sète, France

“At times, I am thirsty for knowledge, I would like to be able to know the different civilizations of this planet, physics, or to be able to decipher nature and its mysteries with the eyes of a scientist.
My path has been different, not better or worse, just different …”
^{Sarah Marquis @explorer_sarahmarquis – www.sarahmarquis.com
Quote from the French version of her book ‘Deserts d’Altitude‘ –}
^{Unofficially translated by Natacha Neveu @thesortinghouse}

Money, Money, Money…

Put simply, money exists because humans have agreed to quantify value through the symbolism of it.

In its physical sense, it is made up of notes and coins, inherently nothing more than paper and metal. These physical items have been used by humans as a tool, to allow us to conceptualise and track the value of things we have and require; items, services, resources. This symbolism must be mutually accepted (or imposed) to function.

Via physical or electronic symbols, currency and money accumulates its value through the perception of its users. Therefore it is purely through socially constructed ideas that it receives value in the first place.

Responsibility of Privilege

“Everyone has a responsibility towards this larger family of man[kind], but especially if you’re privileged, that increases your responsibility.”
Susan Sarandon

Where Does it End?

Where do you actually think the rubbish we create ends up? In the bin? Right, but then where? How does all of this rubbish end up soiling our beautiful home? How does it end up in our clean water stores and food chain?

We are obviously far too educated to leave stuff lying around in public after our joyous summer picnics and BBQs. Never would we throw anything out of the car window, nor chuck cigarette butts carelessly on the floor. We might even go as far as sorting and recycling our rubbish. Avoiding single-use altogether and maybe even opting only to purchase amongst items that can be recycled otherwise.

Yet do we really know what happens when we separate from our pollution? Once that trash hits the bin, we think very little more about it, least of all whether it actually ends up being recycled as intended, or even treated correctly and effectively. Is it actually just polluting our planet even further, in spite of our best efforts? Probably.

The Change is Here

^{In the spirit of the title and the new Gregorian year, this post has changed. Updated 01/01/22.}

The change we want and need. It’s already here for those that choose it. All that remains is to act consciously with inherent perfection.

If you are aware and uneasy about the state of things in the world, just know that it is meant to be this way, and no amount of worrying, denying or avoiding will make any of it go away or change. Nor will the manipulation of others bring about anything truly worthwhile either.

What will bring meaningful change is by first changing yourself. Breaking the loop and healing your heart.

Le Grand Saphir

This is the teaser for a highly recommended and stunning French documentary by Jeremi Stadler and I urge you to watch it… (Sadly, I don’t have a link for the film online as it has been three years since I first published this post on Instagram and it looks like the film has now been taken down from Vimeo and ImagoTV!)

Bask in all its glory, for it is the inspirational tale of citizen-led, empowering grassroots groups and individual initiatives sprouting up across France. It follows big and small movements that are creating community around collecting the waste and trash that humanity has carelessly left behind, be it at sea or on land, all with the aim of preserving the environment for us all.

The film features incredibly kind-hearted souls trying to shake things up and make a real difference, notably Edmund Platt aka L’Escargot Anglais aka Eddie Platt, yes, the co-author and star of the book we wrote together: The Englishman Who Wanted to Clean France, and none other than Manu from Sauvage Mediterranee, amongst others.

The beauty of the various initiatives is that anyone can take part. Anybody anywhere can participate and should. We all create waste, and none of us can be sure what really happens to it after we dispose of it, whether we recycle or not. Whether we actually throw or leave our rubbish behind or not. Let’s stop complaining, blaming others and creating even more waste.

Let’s be the change we want to see.

_{Updated 01/01/22}

Overfished Bish

If this world is ours, when will we act like it?

“…so when can we expect the beautiful “green revolution”? When will the people wake up? And stop saying it is a question of finance, because that’s false, it’s just a question of organisation. Sure, it’s not going to be perfect right away, but honestly, it would be more effective than complaining, bitching and blaming others…”
words written in French by Julie Descamps, unofficially translated by Natacha Neveu for The Sorting House.