Born of Love ~ a Q&A with Arnhem Bickley
We are all born of love.
In celebration of powerful mothers we chat with our founder Arnhem Bickley, in part one of our Mother's Day 2019 Born of Love Q&A series.
MANY OF US DREAM OF TURNING OUR PASSION INTO OUR CAREER.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE ON HOW TO FIND THAT THING THAT SETS YOUR SOUL ALIGHT AND SUCCESSFULLY MAKING IT YOUR PROFESSION?
We all have something special to share with the world ~ if you don’t know what that is try a few different things until you know what makes you happy.....
Anyone can turn their passion into a career with serious hard work and dedication, but you can’t ever give up!
I believe If you're truly passionate about something it will reflect in your work and this will attract success.
DO YOU FEEL THAT YOUR UNCONSTRAINED CHILDHOOD CONTRIBUTED TO A SENSE
THAT YOU COULD DO ANYTHING YOU WANTED WITH YOUR CAREER AND LIFE IN GENERAL?
The lifestyle we had growing up was very alternative until I was 15. We were either living on communities in tipis or travelling in our van.
Mum always grew our food and we shopped at bulk food places, very minimal impact and waste.
We never had electricity or hot water, every night we sat by a camp fire.
I believe having no outside influence like TV, mobile phones, or computer games as a child allowed me to think freely and it nurtured my creative brain.
I honestly feel if your child has constant sensory overload and outside entertainment you’re not giving them time to develop creativity and use their imagination.
My children are home schooled because I want the same lifestyle for them that I had -
complete freedom of thought and imagination.
AS WE GATHER LIFE EXPERIENCE AND NEW INFORMATION, OUR VIEWS TEND TO EVOLVE.
CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH HOW YOUR APPROACH AND THOUGHTS ON SUSTAINABILITY HAVE EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS?
I have always been passionate about the natural environment and its inhabitants.
I have always been passionate about the natural environment and its inhabitants.
But in the last 4 years sustainability has been at the core of everything I do in my personal life and work places.
With lots of travel and the growth in social media etc, I have become exposed to a lot more of what’s going on in the world,
With lots of travel and the growth in social media etc, I have become exposed to a lot more of what’s going on in the world,
the fake shit out there, and the real issues we are facing - it’s obvious the impact humans are having on the planet.
Now I’m in a position to educate and make people aware of how we can make changes and mage a real difference as an individual.
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE A LOVE OF AND DESIRE TO PROTECT THE PLANET IN YOUR GIRLS?
Now I’m in a position to educate and make people aware of how we can make changes and mage a real difference as an individual.
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE A LOVE OF AND DESIRE TO PROTECT THE PLANET IN YOUR GIRLS?
DO YOU FIND THAT A WILLINGNESS TO CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT COMES QUITE NATURALLY TO THEM?
I show them and educate them.
Children care so much for animals that it makes sense to not hurt them and want to protect them.
I show them and educate them.
Children care so much for animals that it makes sense to not hurt them and want to protect them.
I tell them that every tree is alive and we never harm them.
That the reason we don’t buy plastic is because it ends up in our ocean killing thousands of marine life;
how many turtles have straws caught up their noses, whales full of plastic, the amount of animals becoming extinct because of humans etc.
Why we protest for climate change and to stop Adani and drilling the Bight, what it means to their future if this destruction to the planet continues to go ahead...
I want them to feel what I feel, and to understand why we avoid plastic and live a minimal waste lifestyle.
YOUR ZERO-WASTE LIFESTYLE MUST COME WITH ITS CHALLENGES AT TIMES, ESPECIALLY WITH TWO CHILDREN.
I want them to feel what I feel, and to understand why we avoid plastic and live a minimal waste lifestyle.
YOUR ZERO-WASTE LIFESTYLE MUST COME WITH ITS CHALLENGES AT TIMES, ESPECIALLY WITH TWO CHILDREN.
IS THERE A PARTICULAR IDEA, OR FACT THAT YOU RETURN TO THAT MOTIVATES YOU TO PERSEVERE?
At first it was a challenge getting use to barely shopping in super markets, not buying any food in plastic, always buying in bulk and having some serious prep.
At first it was a challenge getting use to barely shopping in super markets, not buying any food in plastic, always buying in bulk and having some serious prep.
But now it’s just our life.
I actually find the best thing with kids is just making big meals that last for days, muffins, banana bread, bliss balls, dips, etc.
I actually find the best thing with kids is just making big meals that last for days, muffins, banana bread, bliss balls, dips, etc.
I do a big cook up on a Sunday that takes me through the week.
I find it easy as my kids love fruit, nuts, avocados, sometimes they complain about not getting packets of chips and things other kids get,
but I just remind them why we don’t buy them and what plastic does to our beautiful whales, dolphins, and turtles.
I feel good everyday about the changes we have made in our family to live minimal waste.
My children having a future, and their children, is enough motivation for me....
DID YOU HAVE ANY MENTORS WHO PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN INSPIRING/EDUCATING
I feel good everyday about the changes we have made in our family to live minimal waste.
My children having a future, and their children, is enough motivation for me....
DID YOU HAVE ANY MENTORS WHO PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN INSPIRING/EDUCATING
YOU ALONG THE PATH OF BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS AND BALANCED FAMILY LIFE?
My parents are the best mentors for me on how life should be lived.
My parents are the best mentors for me on how life should be lived.
They are super positive and live a wholesome life.
After 35 years of marriage, having 4 kids and living off the land they are still so happy and in love!!!
There have been no business mentors; I’ve always been super driven and really hard working, if I do something it’s never half-hearted I put my all into it.
There have been no business mentors; I’ve always been super driven and really hard working, if I do something it’s never half-hearted I put my all into it.
YOU RECENTLY EMBARKED ON A 6 MONTH ROAD TRIP AROUND AUSTRALIA WITH YOUR FAMILY;
DID YOUR OWN NOMADIC CHILDHOOD INSPIRE THE ADVENTURE?
WHAT LESSONS DO YOU HOPE THE ROAD TRIP IMPARTED ON THE GIRLS?
We just needed a break - after 15 years of crazy hard work we wanted to spend some good quality time together as a family unit.
We just needed a break - after 15 years of crazy hard work we wanted to spend some good quality time together as a family unit.
Seeing so much natural beauty, I hope gave them more passion to fight for this incredible planet we live on!
WHAT’S THE ONE KEY LEARNING IN LIFE THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN FROM YOUR MOTHER?
Being more compassionate.
WHAT’S THE ONE KEY LEARNING IN LIFE THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN FROM YOUR MOTHER?
Being more compassionate.
I have a low tolerance for drama and negativity from people.
Over the years mum has helped me to have more love and compassion for others; she always sees the good in people and gives so much love.
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