We live in a land of plenty not just because we grow a lot of food, which we do, but also because we have the where-with-all to pull world resources in our direction. That same ability can, if we choose, give us the where-with-all to shove those same resources in a different direction.

In light of this, I have resolved to do the following:

1. Place a moratorium on the purchase of rice, corn, wheat and beans and anything made from them. Of course that turns out to be a very long list of items I will not be purchasing from the grocery store. Just think of how many things we eat have those items in them. Potatoes are under consideration for the moratorium currently.

2. Place a moratorium on the purchase of items grown in another country because the same fuel used to ship them here could have been used to ship them where they are more needed. In this region, that mostly means no out of season fresh produce, although there are some items I will simply not be able to purchase because of the moratorium.

3. The items I am not purchasing will not be immediately replaced with something else. The first order of business is to make what’s in the house last as long as possible and grow for myself what I can. There isn’t any point in wasting items already purchased. I only rent an apartment, but the plants and I will share the living space as well as possible. If it comes to that, I know exactly how much weight I can lose without getting sick, not that I need to lose any. Of course, my getting sick wouldn’t help anyone.

4. When I do need something to eat and have to buy something, I will be buying more expensive items that the other half of the world can’t afford. The purpose of this isn’t to save me money, but to do what I can to keep cheaper items at a price others might be able to afford. The side of supply and demand I have the most control over is the demand side, so why would I eat the self same beans that someone else is starving for? It definitely wouldn’t help them, no matter how I felt about it.

5. I am also fasting as much as possible from fuel. I was pretty much doing that already since I don’t own a car and my backpack is my best friend. (Who needs a gym when you can carry 4 gallons of water or 16 bricks home on your back?) Still, I won’t be leaving town this year. My family wants to see me, but I think they can live with phone calls and letters.

6. Giving to funds like the Global Food Crisis fund with organizations doing something about the problem. Reducing consumption wouldn’t do as much good if I don’t give to help defray fuel costs, just as the reverse is also true. They are two sides of the same coin.

None of these resolutions has the purpose of making me feel good or making anyone think well of me. And no, it won’t be a sacrifice. Giving up something for someone else is only a sacrifice if you count it so. Giving up something for someone you love is a joy, so I count it a joy. After all, you don’t even need to know a person’s name or face to love them with God’s love. Many of those suffering are my brothers and sisters in Christ, or if they aren’t are people my Father in Heaven would love to adopt. So I’m doing this to help my family as much as I can.

I don’t know how many people I will be able to influence to do the same. The more who do it the greater the effect, but people seem to shy away from making the hard choices. Mental gymnastics only help if they spur you to greater action. It’s the action that makes a difference.

So the fast isn’t up for me. My life won’t return to normal for 2 to 4 years, I calculate. All I know is, I’m in it for the long haul.

cd