> ; ; ; i ; } ee August 9, 2024 Stratford Times Living car free isn’t easy, but there are environmental benefits ANNA KOWALCHUK Times Contributor Most of us are familiar with the caution- ary tale featuring those hapless frogs sit- ting in a pot of water, blissfully unaware of its rapidly rising temperature and the rather unfortunate conclusion that awaits. It seems that some are likening the fate of said oblivious amphibians to that of us hu- mans as we continue to ignore the perils of the rapidly rising temperatures and result- ing climate chaos in our pot, planet Earth. “Nonsense,” I think to myself. “We are not frogs! We have intellect, knowledge, choice, freewill!” But as I look around my circle, I see how easily and often these ad- vantages are compromised and rendered ineffectual by humanity’s ye greatest en- emies, complacency and fea: Well, dear reader, I for one ad you for another, I’m sure) choose not to accept this sad state of inertia. There must be folk out there somewhere who refuse the status quo, who refuse to stay put, who choose instead to become environmental frogs a’leaping. So, I set out recently to find them and once I began searching, I discovered I didn’t have to go far. Indigo is a Stratford artist, commit- ted volunteer and self-described seeker of simplicity who has, for the last seven years, chosen to live car-free. “T don’t like cars and I don’t need a car,” they said. “I can do everything I want to without one.” Dealing with a chronic illness, Indigo does have to conserve energy but finds that in a city the size of Stratford, walk- ing or occasionally, when needed, getting a ride with friends who are going in the same direction works perfectly well in ac- commodating a busy and happy work and social life. In fact, being out in the world, connect- ing with the community and observing up close the marvels of nature has been of great benefit to Indigo’s overall health and sense of wellbeing. For longer distances including visits to family in Kitchener and to places further afield, renting and borrowing a car have been effective op- tions, as have travelling by bus (see Onex and PC Connect) and especially by train, a particular favourite. Living car free is not entirely without its challenges. Compromises sometimes have to be made, for example, on when, where and even if to travel as it is not always possible to coordinate with the schedules of transit options that are out of our control. But for Indigo, this is an almost negli- gible inconvenience and the benefits of living car free greatly outweigh the dif- ficulties in terms of financial savings, environmental harm reduction and the elimination of the countless stresses asso- ciated with car ownership. Imagine if you can, dear reader, never having to worry about finding, or rather, not finding anoth- er parking spot again. Clearly, being car free is no longer a wild-eyed, theoretical possibility, it is a thinking-and-acting- outside-the-box reality that is being lived with quiet courage and dignity by envi- ronmental heroes like Indigo. While this is Indigo’s story, it is not re- ally about them. It’s about all of us and the choices we make or don’t make and why. Indigo has chosen a somewhat rar- ified lifestyle, living downtown, working from home with no dependents to care for, so living car free will certainly not be as easy or convenient an option for everyone. But as Greta Thunberg noted and as we have been witnessing daily on the news- casts, “Our house is on fire,” and easy and convenient have become luxuries we can no longer afford. It is now about courage and resolve, about digging deep and about making hard choices for ourselves, our families and our beautiful home. Again, if not now, when? If not me, who? What can I do to turn this appalling thing around? PS: This article is not intended in any way to disparage the good folk whose livelihoods depend on the various car in- dustries — some innovative and creative solutions to transitioning into alternative transportation options will be examined in future installments. If you know of an individual, company or organization that deserves recognition Jor their innovative and sustainable envi- ronmental practices, please contact me at Srogsaleaping@yahoo.com. IRENE ROTH Times Freelance Columnist In our fast-paced, productiv- ity-obsessed world, idleness often gets a bad rap. We are bombarded with messages that equate busyness with success and worth. Yet for most human beings, being busy all the time can cause a lot of frustration and anxiety. Yet, the ancient wisdom of idleness, a state of doing noth- ing, has profound benefits for our mental, emotional, and phys- ical well-being. Far from being a waste of time, idleness can be a powerful tool for creativity, stress reduction, and overall life satisfaction. Many great minds throughout history have celebrated idleness. The philosopher Bertrand Rus- In praise of idleness sell, in his essay "In Praise of Idleness," argued that a certain amount of leisure is essential for a healthy society. He be- lieved that reducing the number of hours people work would not only improve their well-being but also increase their produc- tivity. Similarly, ancient philos- ophers like Aristotle saw con- templation and leisure as crucial components of a fulfilled life. One of the most significant benefits of idleness is its impact on creativity. When we allow our minds to wander without a specific goal, we give our sub- conscious the space to make new connections and generate innovative ideas. This phenom- enon, known as "incubation," is well-documented in psycho- logical research. Many creative breakthroughs have occurred during periods of rest and relax- ation. The writer J.K. Rowling, for example, famously conceived the idea for Harry Potter while staring out of a train window, daydreaming. Similarly, the mathematician Henri Poincaré made significant contributions to mathematics during his idle moments, allowing his mind to drift and explore new possibili- ties. At a time where stress-relat- ed illnesses are on the rise, the importance of idleness cannot be emphasized enough. Con- stant busyness leads to chronic stress, which can have severe consequences for our health, in- cluding anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular diseases. Taking the time to be idle allows our bodies and minds to recover from the demands of daily life. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation and deep breath- ing, have been shown to re- duce stress and improve mental health. These practices encour- age us to focus on the present moment, letting go of worries about the past or future. In addition, periods of idle- ness can enhance productivity. The brain cannot maintain high levels of focus without fatigue. Short breaks and moments of idleness throughout the day help refresh our minds, making it easier to concentrate and per- form tasks efficiently when we return to them. Idleness also plays a crucial role in our social lives. In our hectic schedules, we often ne- glect quality time with loved ones. Idleness allows us to be fully present with friends and family, fostering deeper con- nections and improving our re- lationships. Shared moments of. doing nothing, such as sitting quietly together or enjoying a leisurely walk, can strengthen bonds and create lasting mem- ries. In the hustle and bustle of ev- eryday life, we rarely have time for self-reflection. Idleness pro- vides the opportunity to intro- spect, evaluate our goals, and understand our true desires. This self-awareness is essential for personal growth and fulfill- ment. It helps us align our ac- tions with our values, leading to a more meaningful and satisfy- ing life. Incorporating idleness into our lives requires a shift in mindset. We must challenge our societal norms that equate busyness with self-worth and recognize the value of rest and relaxation. Here are some practical tips to embrace idleness Schedule Downtime: Just as you schedule work and social activities, make time for idleness. Block off periods in your calendar for relaxation and unstructured activities. Unplug from Technology: Constant connectivity can pre- vent true idleness. Set boundar- WWW.STRATFORDTIMES.COM ies for technology use and cre- ate tech-free zones or times in your day. Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness prac- tices that promote idleness, such as meditation, yoga, or simply sitting quietly and focusing on your breat! Enjoy Nature: Spend time in nature without a specific agenda. Whether it's a walk in the park or sitting by a lake, natural settings encourage a state of peaceful idleness. Resist Guilt: Let go of the guilt associat- ed with doing nothing. Remin yourself that idleness is not lazi- ness; it's a necessary component of a balanced and healthy life. As we enter the last month of summer, perhaps this could be a good time to be idle. Sit in your backyard and just stare at the sky for a few minutes. Or just sit on your back deck and do noth- ing. Walk around the Avon Riv- er without your cell phone. We too often are doing some- thing. We may be sitting at a most picturesque vista and yet we’re on our cell phone, read- ing or just distracted. Perhaps we should just try to be idle. Put away your cell phone and give yourself permission to just be.