When
Thich Nhat Hanh entered an ideal state of bliss (i.e. died) in January I made a decision to re-read his guide
Peace is Every Step (which truly result in studying two
different titles he wrote, too). I used to be in my early 20s once I encountered Peace is Each Step and it was actually impactful. It was in all probability my first expertise with the observe of
mindfulness.
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| Matt shaping the rolls he made for our Thanksgiving meal. 11/24/2022 |
On this most up-to-date re-read, there was a passage that critically rang my bell. Thich Nhat Hahn described America, Western Europe, and the like as “overdeveloped nations.” He flipped it from the relatively superior-sounding norm of calling others the”creating nations.” It stopped me in my tracks. That feels extra correct to me. I can solely converse from my American perspective, however I believe we have “developed” previous the purpose of
diminishing returns in lots of regards, particularly in the case of well being and group.
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| Matt and I baked and adorned gingerbread homes with Michelle and her son, Sky. 11/27/2022 |
I noticed a picture making the rounds in December final 12 months that mentioned, “Normalize–secondhand items, do-it-yourself items, expertise items, consumable items, small enterprise items.” I am positive it comes as no shock that I assumed it was an exquisite suggestion. There’s a lot wanton consumerism, particularly across the holidays. It is a refreshing take. I would not cease there although.
- I wish to normalize secondhand buying and upcycling and repurposing.
- I wish to normalize bartering and buying and selling and collective possession (i.e. sharing).
- I wish to normalize patched and mended clothes.
- I wish to normalize scuffed, scratched, and secondhand furnishings and family items.
- I wish to normalize repairing as an alternative of changing.
- I wish to normalize voluntary simplicity.
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| I name this my Hygge Chair/Nook. Set in a nook with home windows on each side it’s a favourite spot for watching the bunnies and birds within the yard. To admire the flowers or the snow, relying on the season. It’s a swell spot for a calming cuppa with a kitty or a guide. 10/22/2022 |
I typically really feel a way of marvel and astonishment when confronted with, properly…shall we embrace, extra “common” customers. Going to Costco or Goal begins to really feel like I am at a museum showcasing a very international lifestyle. I can not actually wrap my thoughts round who’s shopping for and utilizing all of this…stuff. I can not comprehend the ripple impact all these things has in our properties and lives–and finally our landfills, too. (I would prefer to pause right here with a view to advocate a exceptional guide known as Life at House within the Twenty-First Century: 32 Households Open Their Doorways.)
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| We’ve got a pair of Eurasian Collared Doves that nest and roost on our property. I name them Gary and Mary. I’m grateful for my animal neighbors. Gary, Mary, Bobtail-the-Squirrel, Black Bunny, and his girlfriend, Patches. To not point out all of the unnamed Chickadees and different birds. They make me completely happy. They make our residence a cheerier place. Some, just like the Cedar Waxwings who seem every fall to gorge on mountain ash berries, are harbingers of the altering season. 11/23/2022 |
I noticed this sense of estrangement from client tradition is due to the underlying precept which guides my life. A precept that usually appears at odds with the (comparatively new, may I add) consumer-centric lifestyle. The gist of which could be summed up thus:
“Use it up, put on it out, make it do, make it your self, or do with out.”
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| Matt reducing down the Christmas tree we chosen after a beautiful hour tromping by way of the snowy woods. 11/27/2022 |
I stole three-quarters of this rule of thumb, however then I personalised it, making it much more sturdy. Or draconian and austere, I suppose, relying on who you ask.
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| Engaged on a really entertaining puzzle that Dee Ann loaned me following my ramble about puzzles. Ginger’s helpfulness on the puzzle desk varies wildly. 11/23/2022 |
I discover satisfaction in mending one thing damaged.
Patching and darning could be lovely and inventive, to not point out resourceful. I take delight in making issues myself, be it
jam,
dresses, or my
knock-off SoftScrub. To my thoughts, the waste from quick vogue, low-cost family items, and industrial meals manufacturing is shameful. To my intense pleasure, I’ve discovered
extra freedom and
extra happiness as I’ve pared down the fabric items and merchandise I as soon as thought needed. I attempt to emphasize
experiences because the highlights of my life. Not
stuff.
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| I am instructing myself to embroider and it’s so a lot enjoyable! I’m working towards on a stained shirt which, I hope, shall be again to wearability with these colourful additions. 12/6/2022 |
In line with
Nielson, there are 30,000 new merchandise that hit shops yearly, largely variations on already present products–new flavors, scents, colours, and types. I believe that’s astonishing! 30,000?!?! Yearly!?!?!?! Good grief! What may very well be higher proof that we’re “overdeveloped” at this level? I can solely think about what may very well be completed if we collectively reevaluated our priorities and reinvested all that point, power, cash, and pure sources elsewhere.
What number of several types of chips, leggings, salad dressings, Swiffer wipes, laundry scent booters, and Oreos do we want with a view to be fulfilled and content material? When is sufficient sufficient? Will it ever be?
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| My ofrenda for this 12 months. 11/5/2022 |
It offers me pause, particularly right now of 12 months.
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