26
Jan 10

The rule of thumb for Shaker creations

If it is not useful or necessary, free yourself from imagining that you need to make it.

If it is useful and necessary, free yourself from imagining that you need to enhance it by adding what is not an integral part of its usefulness or necessity.

And finally: If it is both useful and necessary and you can recognize and eliminate what is not essential, then go ahead and make it as beautifully as you can.

— from ShakerBuilt by Paul Rochleau & June Sprigg


25
Aug 09

Discerning the shape in the fog

What is the real outline of the hours and actions one pursues?

There may be a purpose you believe you follow, or maybe you just respond to the stimulii provided?
Or maybe, for you (for us all?), there is another guide pointing out what you are really following.
An underlying or looming, indistinct shape. A tiny figure…or maybe titanic but remote…

One may ask again and again: what is it? Ask again…and again…and again.
What follow, if anything does? A deepening silence, confusion, frustration?
Maybe, if one is persistent, and lucky — some small reward.

So one tries to discern critical ‘why’s and ‘what’s? Why bother at all?
Examine the brushstrokes up close, the painting is lost at that point.

If you actions are your self-portrait … are you satisfied?


25
Aug 09

Random text found last week…

FOLLOW to relieve responsibility

OBEY so you don’t have to think

CONSUME without restraint

COMPETE so you feel successful

KILL those different than yourself

DESTROY what you don’t understand

MORALITY you need to be told what’s right and wrong

GOD because no one else really cares about you

MONEY to keep government in total control

MATERIALISM so you forget what’s really important

IGNORANCE is bliss