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Kathy McMahon
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- Northampton, MA
- United States
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Well, Sandi, it's only been a few months, and lordy, how our president has sunk! He's managed to bail out banks, hire Monsan-tites, and genuinely wreck havoc with his so called progressive agenda. Looks like a one -termite to me. frankly the starr...
Sandi,
You've made your point clear, again and again. You want to create distance and you want to tell all on this site and in this thread to distance as well. I get that. You hate what they stand for, their politics, they belong in one group and...
Great group. Just to let you know that I'm doing a 90 minute online introduction on how to start raising chickens on June 13 at Post Peak Living. It will cover the basics to encourage people to take the first step. Early registration ends this Sat...
Animal husbandry is the domestication of animals for food, milk, cheese and eggs ( to name a few ) many folks are just now learning that taking care of their own livestock is rewarding and healthier. This discussion group will be about urban animal
I want to get the word out about how wonderfully easy it is to raise chickens. Would you send this to folks/groups you think might be interested and mention it on your sites? Early registration discounts end this Saturday (1/3 off). This 90 minute...
Profile Information
- How are you currently involved in the Transition movement?
- As a clinical psychologist, I decided two and a half years ago to begin to collect stories at www.PeakOilBlues.com from people all over the world who are worried, anxious or depressed about Peak Oil, climate change & the economic hard times ahead. I've been impressed by how these stories of ordinary people, who are in the process of making crucial life change and transformation, are inspiring. Contributors have learned to manage stress, fear, anxiety, worry, depression and insomnia, and have gone on to not only simplify life and live a debt-free existence, but also to manage family finances differently, reconnect with their communities, and struggle with friends and family who have contrasting values and future goals.
People have found it useful to hear that the emotional reactions they are going through don't make them "crazy," and to clarify the difference between "mental preparation" and just "acting mental." Helping people get over emotional hurtles, learning which reactions are way "out of whack," given their current life circumstance and how to make best use of available time and energies, are my goals in this virtual community.
For the past several years, we've started a regional sustainability committee, and have been able to accomplish quite a bit in a short period of time. We've run free courses in canning, raising chickens, making cheeses, knitting--basic arts. We've also had our second present exchange, which stopped folks from either buying presents or throwing stuff away. It was well attended each year. We have a film series, a group plant buying, grain coop, and their has been talk of organizing a grain processing farming operation. Our bag-share has replaced paper and plastic in more than a dozen stores locally.
I am proud to say that all of our work is done gratis, and I've made important connections with a lot of good people that have become close friends.
- In what ways do you identify with the Transition movement? Why are you interested?
- No one will survive what is before us alone. We have many challenges ahead learning how to alter the way we think and interact with other people-- whether or not we see ourselves as a part of a larger tapestry of life-- and how this understanding leads us to direct action.
In my community, for example, I started something called "101's" which are free courses offered by community members to other members. It is a process of simply teaching something you know, however basic, to somebody else. Initially, there was a lot of resistance, with people saying "I'm no expert!" and a need for a shifting mind-set that says "You don't have to be an expert. It's for beginners!"
There will need to be a series of shifts in the way people think of notions such as community, relationships, and neighbors, and having a far-reaching vision of what we're aiming at, allows people to tolerate the inevitable setbacks along the way.
- How can you help the growth/acceptance/vitality of the Transition movement? What can YOU teach us? What can your GROUP teach us?
- I'm not sure. What is most important to me is to be able to speak about ALL SIDES of the emotions that this awareness and relocalization brings: the good, the bad, and the ugly. If we don't acknowledge the dark side as well as the energetic, growth producing, accepting side, we are not tapping into all of our community's resources.
One thing that I've learned since I've been active in my community is that preconceived notions of how things "should" evolve, leave out a heck of a lot of people who might otherwise get on board. We will have a lot of strange bedfellows in this transition, and I welcome all people in my community, even the ones who reject any notion of a "movement," (or even Peak Oil for that matter) but instead want to promote what they consider good ol' traditional values that helped our ancestors get through. For example, I know one man who refuses to consider "energy savings" a good idea, but has an electric bill of $12 a month. He thinks "natural foods" are silly, but picks local herbs to make a "tonic" every spring (and grows his own food without chemicals). He wouldn't join a "movement," but would be a vital resource to those interested in learning about "the old ways" of doing things. I want that guy on my team. because our differences are a matter of language, not values.
- Your Favorite Books/Websites/Blogs/RSS Feeds for Information about the Transition Movement
- I like Plan C by Pat Murphy
www.sharonastyk.com
www.chrismartenson.com
- Your Personal Website (if you have one)
- http://www.peakoilblues.com/blog
Kathy McMahon's Blog
Chickens 101 Early Registration Fast Approaching!
I want to get the word out about how wonderfully easy it is to raise chickens. Would you send this to folks/groups you think might be interested and mention it on your sites? Early registration discounts end this Saturday (1/3 off). This 90 minute introduction to raising a few hens is a great way to motivate people to take constructive action.
For more information or registration contact: www.postpeakliving.com/chickens-101
Thanks for your help!
Chickens 101: An Online Beginner’s Course in K… Continue
For more information or registration contact: www.postpeakliving.com/chickens-101
Thanks for your help!
Chickens 101: An Online Beginner’s Course in K… Continue
Posted on May 28, 2009 at 1:08pm —
The American Prospect Runs Article: "The Peak Shrink"
"The Peak Shrink: Freaked out about the end of oil? There's a therapist for that." It has a nice plug for Transition United States.
Should help to get the word out.
Should help to get the word out.
Posted on May 25, 2009 at 9:11am —
Comment Wall (8 comments)
- At 11:42am on February 2, 2009,
Patricia Britton said… - Hi Kathy,
Thanks for "hooking up" again...I have been tracking your blog for a long time now with your daily updates and it has been great to have to back and forth on peakoilblues with another psychotherapist! Have you networked with either Linda Buzzell-Saltzman, M.A., M.F.T. or Sarah Anne Edwards, PhD, LCSW,...in regards to Eco-anxiety?...I would like very to have more of a "salon" discussion and direct transition communication with other psychotherapists treating the stress issues...I find the discussions helpful and supportive of keeping my resilience up as I strategize way for my clients to transition...keep up your excellent work...love ya
- At 9:51pm on February 1, 2009,
Jed Diamond said…
- Kathy,
I enjoyed reading your profile and have recently been in touch with Sarah Edwards. I'm working on a new book, working title, Post-Petroleum Stress Disorder: How to Survive and Grow Rich When the Ship of Civilization Sinks.
I'll enjoy reading more about your work.
- At 12:18pm on January 30, 2009,
Kathy Jacobson said… - Hey hey...nice to meet you. I'm still chuckling about the rejecting survivalist dialogue. Now I find myself grinning even wider after reading your profile post.
Thanks for sharing your perspectives and all you are doing...seems we might be on similiar pages.
Best wishes and good luck!
kj
- At 2:08am on January 27, 2009,
Sandi Brockway said… - You should look up Jed Diamond here.
- At 1:46am on January 27, 2009,
bob banner said… - Hi Kathy,
thanks for your comments and invitation to be your friend.
bob banner
- At 6:46pm on January 16, 2009,
Jen Mazer said… - Hi Kathy,
It's useful to write same information although it doesn't have to be written the same way. It's also easier for state people to find you if you are on the same page.
Jen Mazer
- At 11:19am on January 14, 2009,
Jen Mazer said…
- Hi Kathy, I am Jen Mazer of Somerville, MA, on the initiating committee there. Please come join the state page. I like that you talk about peak oil and the psychology of the transition movement.
Jen Mazer
- At 2:40pm on January 12, 2009,
Leo Brodie said… - Kathy,
Thanks for joining us here. I love your profile notes. My wife and I recently took the Transition Training given by Naresh and Sophy from Totnes, and that really opened my eyes to the huge importance of the emotional and psychological aspects of transition. Sophy Banks, who like you has a background in psychology, gave what I thought was a brilliant presentation about how people's fears of exploring their wounds -- or the "dark side" -- also keep them from reaching their potential or true nature. This relates to the psychology of change, which truly is the heart of transition.
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"Holding each other in the highest future intention" ~ Theory U
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead
Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!" ~ Charles Shulz
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