The answer to this question will decide everything else. There are 3 possible responses to this question
1. Yes
2. No
3. Maybe
In this article, I am focusing only on the “YES” response. I will write on the other two in my following article.
I want to share my own journey from the moment I chose to respond with a “YES”.
THE POWER OF “YES”
A mere response changes your decision making process and also your actions. I must confess it changed the way I live my life. Having acknowledged to myself as a generator of waste, I soon came to realize that a majority of the waste generated was organic which could be safely returned back to Nature. (Organic waste consists for example your vegetable peels, banana skin, fruit skins, egg shells and more). The question was how? I watched the episode on #waste featured in #SatyamevJayate and 2 other short videos. (Links at the end of the article)
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING AND IMMERSION
I started doing my own experiments in #Composting. It’s nearing about 2 years now since my “YES” helped me transition to an avid #Composter in the urban city of Mumbai. Often the city evokes images of people jostling for space which comes at a premium, yet in the same breath, I realized that all I need are 3 earthen pots to put my wet organic food leftover and then allowing #Nature to take over the breakdown process. During this journey, I have become friends with the myriad of insects, birds and the friendly neighborhood lizard. Together we form the core team of #Composters. The insects comprise of the fruit flies, the house flies and a few others. Then there are maggots, harmless and efficient workers who breakdown the foods, and also become food for the lizard and the birds, especially, our very own endangered #Sparrow.
PARADIGM SHIFT
#Composting has helped me develop an organic and healthy relationship with each other, wherein each one of us does our work and allows the other to do their own. Team work at its best. In fact, it continues to help me discover my #Self .
I have come to realize that the earthen pots never overflow with my wet waste. My team of collaborators work 24 x 7 come rain or sunshine to process the wet waste and turn it around into beautifully fragrant earthly soil. The plants in my neighborhood seem to invisibly bless me for providing them with their daily nutrients, their very own whey protein to build their bodies.
INVITATION
Starting as an experiment, #composting has become a way of living for me. Most importantly, my journey has taught me to walk light on this earth and take care of it in my own little space. As an urban dweller, I invite you to participate in this journey while we still have time to salvage our cities and our country. We owe it to our next generations and to #MotherEarth.
Links and Resources:
- #Composting Odyssey of a City Dweller – Uncut
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/composting-odyssey-city-dweller-uncut-santosh-n-jois
2. #Satyamev Jayate Season 2 | Episode 3 | Don’t Waste Your Garbage | Full episode (English Subtitles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS0_FCBzI_w
3. How to Compost in an Apartment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7IM5sWl9GY
-#SJ