Do my actions matter?
Written by Edward Tallbergström
In the beginning of summer you might have seen a video of Fabia get robbed of a flag with the phrase #myactionsmatter. In the video I was the one who grabbed the flag, and spontaneously tied it around my neck as a cape. From that moment on the flag had turned into something completely different, or at least it had so in my eyes.
After hijacking the cape from Fabia, I cycled home to Charlottendal. Here I am part of a 12 month volunteer project for the Support Organization for Transition in JĂ€rna. In addition to myself there are two other volunteers, Noora and Svetlana. We are all from abroad as the project is financed by Erasmus+ as a European Voluntary Service (EVS) project. We are based at Charlottendal, but moving around different projects and communities in order to build a network of cooperation.
My actions on this particular day were fixing the fence around the large field. In the video you can hear the sheep in the background crying for water and food. The hot and dry summer has heavily affected the amount of grazing food. But before we could let them into the big field the fence needed to be improved. In some places fallen trees had to be cleared to free up the fence, other places we changed rusty parts so the current remained strong around the whole field, otherwise we mainly replaced old poles with new ones and replaced any wire in poor quality. Certainly the fence is meant to keep the sheep in the field, but also keeping some wild life, like predators outside of it.
A Gute sheep (Ovis aries) mommy and lamb enjoying the shade during a warm summers day.
Hence the actions of this day (July 6th)Â which I consider valuable were fixing up the fence despite the heat wave, allowing the sheep to get a large and safe grazing area, and helping Charlottendal with fencing. These actions may seem trivial, but as I walk along the edges of the farm property I connect with my local surroundings and find my own wilderness. Whilst performing these actions I take on the role of a steward of nature, communicating with animals and plants, protecting the diversity from destruction and giving thanks to the wonders of life.
During my time as a volunteer I have had the chance to do many things I consider valuable. I really appreciate helping others achieve the goals of their lives, and support them in creating meaningful lifestyles. However, above all I am grateful for the opportunities to grow I receive daily. I have lost count of all the new experiences and lessons I get daily, and boredom has become but a memory, which I sometimes remember with nostalgia. By adopting an attitude of service to others I have found a place to belong, a tribe where I feel at home, and a mission in life which fills me with excitement and joy. I am in no way a special person, so I truly believe that anyone dedicated and daring enough could find their way, just as I have found mine.Â
Life has been tough, although I may be considered one of the most priviledged individuals alive. For me it isnât a struggle to stay alive, but a struggle in finding the value of continuing life in this conflict riddled world we call home. Why do we fight so fervently to stay alive, if life is such a struggle? Why do we take it so seriously if we wonât make it out alive anyway? A great rolemodel of mine named Alan Watts said that life isnât a journey towards a destination, but a musical and as long as the music is playing we are supposed to dance. I find that a fantastic perspective, because it really brings the focus back to our individual actions: what we do, why we do them, and how they are done. In the context of a dance we can invite playfulness, theatricality, and cooperation into our lives.Â
The Cape!
Why do superheroes or villains often wear capes? What secrets does the cape hide within? As a kid I thought the cape was mainly a âshow-offâ thing. It didnât seem to do anything, except fly in the wind adding to the epicness of whatever heroic, or horrific deed that was being done. The cape seemed in the way for pulling out some weapon or getting dirty as it scraped the ground. However, this summer my thought on the cape changed in a most delightful fashion.
Looking at this piece of fabric hanging on my porch for the summer I contemplated the phrase âmy actions matterâ a fair bit. It felt like I was digging into existential questions like: what actions do I take; why do I take them; and how do I do them. I found these three questions to be a good way to check in with myself, shedding the light of awareness on my actions. If the spontaneous answers to the questions are satisfying I am given positive feedback about my existence.
But for whom do my actions matter?
Well, primarily for myself. If I fill my life with valuable, exciting, memorable, beautiful, generous and loving moments, that is the world that I create for myself. Obviously these actions, thoughts and emotions will also spread to my surroundings and network of relationships, so acting with respect and consideration is naturally recommended. And this is where the cape come into play.
Have you ever worn a cape?
Well the next time you do, I invite you to think of the cape as something you wear for yourself. Not to show off your epic moves, or hide your weapons under, but to take on a mantle of excellence. Capes can symbolize many things, i.e. SOFIAs cape is a symbol which reminds us that what we do matters. Hence I wish to voice the idea of wearing the cape as a mission in doing valuable things. Perhaps you who are reading this feels like you are doing something really worthwhile? Well then SOFIA wishes to invite you to share this under #myactionsmatter. In fact, welcome over to Föreningen SOFIAs office at Tuna IndustrivÀg 35 on Fridays to meet the crew. You could grab the cape and do a photoshoot and share which actions you take and why they matter to you.















