The Freedom of Living in Modest Circumstances

Removed from the pressures of big city life and big city acquisitions is a relief and a delight.

While we were involved in the big city life of working and raising a family, there were lots of pressures of time and money.

We own much less and love our freedom.

We have much less to take care of.

We have the freedom to spend our time doing things that are more interesting than maintaining so much stuff.

Although we wash the same amount of dishes, it is by washing the same few dishes over and over again.

The dishes never pile up.

I sweep small sections of the floor at a time.

The entire Studio, Shop, Canning Kitchen never needs to be done all at once.

It is easy to care for a small number of clothes.

I experiment with small sections of the yard as I turn it into a self-sustaining tiny food forest.

At some point, there will be no yard to mow.

We borrow more books through interlibrary loan instead of building the vast personal libraries we once had.

Preserving food in bulk reduces an immense amount cooking time.

What we have room for is vast amounts of creative space which are filled to overflowing with ways to carry out our creative ideas.

Every step through our Studio/Shop reveals happiness.

I can’t wait to work on creative projects which are piled on top of each other as I work through their solutions.

I have the freedom to design or sew or weave or knit  or draw or paint  or write or cook at any time of day or night at the slightest stroke of inspiration.

There is nothing I have to do first.

It is the greatest and most satisfying freedom I have ever known.

© 2018 Kathryn Hardage

www.lovedcherishedadored.blogspot.com

Being Employed

It is important to employ one’s thoughts in useful and uplifting directions.

The most valuable asset we have is our knowledge and our thoughts.

Things which distract us from our true work are interrupting our connection with our deep identity and what it can provide for society.

It is important to make provision for carrying out our work, and to leave the distractions behind.

Our focus on what brings us the most intrinsic satisfaction is the key to employing ourselves well.

We have a feeling of joy, of ecstasy, when we are involved in our deep purpose.

We provide service to society when we follow through on our uplifting ideas.

We engage the best part of ourselves when we bring our ideas into manifestation.

We challenge the existing viewpoint and refresh it.

We refine the current offerings and make them more efficient.

We introduce new meaning along with efficiencies.

We reach more people with our service.

We are more inclusive and benefit more people.

We reach people whose needs have been unaddressed.

We lay the fabric of our society across a wider segment of the population.

We see others who have been neglected by society and serve them.

When we truly employ ourselves, we lift up others.

Our work, in every segment of society, can contribute to making all of civilization live better.

© 2018 Kathryn Hardage

www.lovedcherishedadored.blogspot.com

Treasure Yourself and Your Work

Once you discover your individuality and discover its uniqueness, you realize that your purpose will go unfulfilled if you do not do your work.

At first, you cultivate the qualities of good workmanship, craft, timeliness, excellence.

Then, your style begins to emerge as you explore different materials, phrases, vocabulary.

As you infuse yourself with inspiration, your craft supports your emerging style and you find your voice.

As you lift yourself up, by loving and appreciating and recognizing your gift, your diligence, your perseverance, your spirit permeates your work.

Your creativity flows.

You naturally coincide with your materials, workspace and ideas.

What you are communicates itself through your work.

Color, design, shape, form, language all combine to carry your art and your message.

Because you are reaching beyond yourself, your art and your message have a power beyond your personality.

Your willingness to transcend your current view of life leads you to create and to communicate on a higher level.

You bring your viewers and readers with you.

They are compelled by the message they feel.

It is a dance between creator and viewer which you enter as you feel the desire behind your art.

Someone, many, are waiting for you to fulfill your purpose.

So take the step, the many tiny steps, and move yourself beyond your present circumstances.

Trust your art, treasure yourself and your purpose.

Do the work.

© 2018 Kathryn Hardage

www.lovedcherishedadored.blogspot.com 

To Promote the General Welfare

I offer a proposition:  

That businesses which operate in the US are required to support the principles of The Constitution.

The principle which I am considering is the requirement that a business “promote the general welfare”.

This means that businesses would not have tax advantages, but rather that they were structured to carry tax obligations in order “to promote the general welfare”.

Businesses would not be allowed to pollute the air, water or land because it would not “promote the general welfare”.

Businesses would be structured in ways which would benefit, and not hurt, their employees in order “to promote the general welfare”.

Businesses would practice good stewardship and get their raw materials from local sources in order “to promote the general welfare”.

Insurance practices would “promote the general welfare”.

Education would “promote the general welfare” and provide up to date practices which are known to be good for children.

There would not be a competition for the lowest bidder and lowest grade materials and meaningless jobs.

The whole national attitude would be one of compassion and respect for citizens, not consumers.

Laws would protect against greed and, therefore, its consequences.

There are lots of solutions when the goal is “to promote the general welfare.”

© 2018 Kathryn Hardage

www.lovedcherishedadored.blogspot.com