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Author Topic:   How would you?
goatgirl
Knowflake

Posts: 954
From: Anywhere
Registered: Jul 2002

posted June 13, 2007 02:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for goatgirl     Edit/Delete Message
As an effort to create a meaningful string about something positive...

How would you envision yourself contributing more beauty, compassion, love, kindness, (stick any other adjective in here) to the world? Why did you pick what you did?

Love,
GG

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After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." - Aldous Huxley

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InLoveWithLife
Knowflake

Posts: 1530
From: Wonderland
Registered: Aug 2006

posted June 13, 2007 02:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for InLoveWithLife     Edit/Delete Message
Thank you GG, this was much needed.

How would you envision yourself contributing more beauty, compassion, love, kindness, (stick any other adjective in here) to the world? Why did you pick what you did?

I start from myself. I would want to develop those qualities in myself first. I want to get as much joy out of life as possible. I want to be able to see the positive in any situation I find myself in. (hence my screen name). This is my goal.

I like to make others laugh whenever possible. I like to laugh as much as possible myself. See the humor in difficult situations.

I like to appreciate daily the beauty around me. The little flowers blooming along the way. Stop and appreciate that fragrance in the air for just a few seconds before continuing on my way.

I like to remind myself daily of the lovely, kind, gentle and wise people I have had the pleasure to meet. To be grateful to God for the small mercies He shows to me every day.

I'd like to reach out to people and give them hope. And I feel that the best way to do that is to have it in me, myself. If I see the world as beautiful, compassionate and loving, I hope those qualities will rub off me too.


InLoveWithLife

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marsconjunctmercury
Knowflake

Posts: 912
From: Isle of Wight U.K
Registered: Dec 2005

posted June 13, 2007 02:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for marsconjunctmercury     Edit/Delete Message

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quote:
Mars, that's so spot on!

quote:
I agree with MCM.

quote:
...please tell me, what did you to develop those abs?

quote:
MCM, you are a good guy...

quote:
HEHE Marsconjunctmercury is soo right about virgo moons

quote:
I only read your posts. Everyone else is boring

4th December 1974 18:00GMT Isle of Wight U.K
marsconjunctmercury@yahoo.co.uk
neutralcruiser@hotmail.co.uk

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goatgirl
Knowflake

Posts: 954
From: Anywhere
Registered: Jul 2002

posted June 13, 2007 04:52 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for goatgirl     Edit/Delete Message
If I could, I would give everyone the understanding of the joy that comes from communing with the Earth when you grow your own food.

Every bug, every naturally occuring plant that you aren't going to eat, every watering, every seedling. Every heavenly bite of something you put sweat equity into bringing to your table.

Love,
GG

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After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." - Aldous Huxley

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adrienne
Knowflake

Posts: 103
From: Northampton, MA, USA
Registered: Apr 2007

posted June 13, 2007 08:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for adrienne     Edit/Delete Message
goatgirl, what a great idea for a thread! I have been a dancer since I was a little girl and I have been thinking that a good way I could contribute in this world is by voluntarily teaching ballet lessons to underprivilidged kids. I know there are things they need alot more than ballet lessons but I also think that it is something beautiful that I could contribute to their lives and something to which they may have never been exposed. I fantasize that I will introduce some little girl to ballet, some little girl who has never participated in it before, and one day she will be a world class dancer

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goatgirl
Knowflake

Posts: 954
From: Anywhere
Registered: Jul 2002

posted June 13, 2007 09:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for goatgirl     Edit/Delete Message
adrienne,

I think they do need it just as much as education, family, etc. Maybe more. Haven't you read those books(I think there's been movies based on them) about those teachers who went and taught the inner city kids chess, and they end up beating the pants off everyone else?

MCM,

That's really cool. Maybe you could talk to the father first and see what he thinks, and then go from there.

ILWL,

quote:
I hope those qualities will rub off me too

Me too. I keep on working at it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks so much for each of your responses. I hope we get some more.

Love,
GG

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After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." - Aldous Huxley

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Dervish
Knowflake

Posts: 328
From: California
Registered: Nov 2006

posted June 14, 2007 06:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dervish     Edit/Delete Message
I'm working on making it so I can thrive in a small town. When I do, I'd like to get a few acres that are conducive to cob building. I'd also like to set up solar and wind power in a way that sells excess power back to the power companies (I've known someone who did this--with constantly rising energy prices, he's done quite well with it). That's in addition to my own home (also cob, alternative energy, and other things).

What I'd do with the acreage is sell off lots on it. I'd do it to make a profit, but a small one. I'd focus on the elderly. If possible, I'd like my granny to move out there, as I think she'd like it, and I just can't stand the thought of her in some horrid old folks home where she'd be neglected and abused (and one such home in her area even had someone die by fireants!). I think I'd sell it to her cheap and she could cut me in for later profits.

Then others could get lots. This would create an alternative to the old folks home for people without a lot of money. Cob homes can be made for less than a thousand bucks, and you don't even need powertools. Granted, if you add in the hardware and other conveniences most people want, then it can easily get to more the $5,000. But I hope the natural energy would help offset the costs and some of the things needed. The area would be near the ocean in an area I'd help beautify (since I'm sure I wouldn't be able to afford a place already of great beauty), though I'd like to leave the lots free for people moving there to design to their own desires, a chance to make the place THEIRS, rather than another McHouse, and a pleasant place to face the last years of one's life.

And I want it to be profitable. Not only for practical reasons, but to stoke the interests of others. If more healthy and environmentally-friendly alternatives are to succeed, they must be viable in this way. Granted, I'm sure there will be more profitable ventures anyway, but cob dwellings make it possible to OWN your own home without a mortage, and it's actually better in nearly all ways than a McHouse, as well as spiritually inspiring to most people.

I was pleased to find out (as I looked into this idea) that others have already done something similar to this. They're quiet and unsung, though I suppose that's necessary. The government would shut them down if such places were to be seen as a threat to the profits of their special interests.

As it is, I'd like to see such a community or two (with my own place in the vicinity) up and running by the time the US government collapses from its own weight and stupidity. I think the more self-sufficient communities will become nucleuses of more sane and humane societies, and after a major trauma (like collapse of the infrastructure), the lessons of the many communities like the kind I hope to create will show that one doesn't have to slave 20 years at a job one hates just to have a life. I think such an idea would revolutionize humanity, create a new renaissance of sorts.

Natch, such an inspiration could only come about after a major trauma. Our species is one of ingrained habits, and most people will only seriously rethink those habits and seek change when they hit the bottom of the barrel. 'Course, such inspiration needs to be present at that time as otherwise nothing else can be imagined and otherwise people will likely just rebuild the same mess all over again.

That's my big vision anyway.

Should anyone be curious about this, then I'm sure you can google more. You can also look at the latest Communities Directory:
http://directory.ic.org/

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Bluemoon
Knowflake

Posts: 4456
From: Stafford, VA USA
Registered: Feb 2005

posted June 14, 2007 08:20 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bluemoon     Edit/Delete Message
I am a caregiver. I love kids. ALL KIDS. All children are wonderful. I don't like people saying "He/she is Bad" I will tell them. Children are all good! Sometimes they make bad choices. But is is the choice that is "bad" not the child. It is up to us to teach them right from wrong. I really hate it when people want to lable children. I don't like any name calling. And everyone deserves a chance to succeed. I have been working with children for the past 24 years. Professionally for 10. I really Care. That is what I give.

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goatgirl
Knowflake

Posts: 954
From: Anywhere
Registered: Jul 2002

posted June 14, 2007 11:43 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for goatgirl     Edit/Delete Message
Dervish,

Be still my heart! Me too, I long for sustainable communities.

have you seen this site?

http://www.simondale.net/house/index.htm
You are looking at pictures of our family home in Wales. It was built by myself and my father in law with help from passers by and visiting friends. 4 months after starting we were moved in and cosy. I estimate 1000-1500 man hours and £3000 put in to this point. Not really so much in house buying terms (roughly £60/sq m excluding labour).

The house was built with maximum regard for the environment and by reciprocation gives us a unique opportunity to live close to nature. Being your own (have a go) architect is a lot of fun and allows you to create and enjoy something which is part of yourself and the land rather than, at worst, a mass produced box designed for maximum profit and convenience of the construction industry. Building from natural materials does away with producers profits and the cocktail of carcinogenic poisons that fill most modern buildings.


Some key points of the design and construction:

* Dug into hillside for low visual impact and shelter
* Stone and mud from diggings used for retaining walls, foundations etc.
* Frame of oak thinnings (spare wood) from surrounding woodland
* Reciprocal roof rafters are structurally and aesthaetically fantastic and very easy to do
* Straw bales in floor, walls and roof for super-insulation and easy building
* Plastic sheet and mud/turf roof for low impact and ease
* Lime plaster on walls is breathable and low energy to manufacture (compared to cement)
* Reclaimed (scrap) wood for floors and fittings
* Anything you could possibly want is in a rubbish pile somewhere (windows, burner, plumbing, wiring...)
* Woodburner for heating - renewable and locally plentiful
* Flue goes through big stone/plaster lump to retain and slowly release heat
* Fridge is cooled by air coming underground through foundations
* Skylight in roof lets in natural feeling light
* Solar panels for lighting, music and computing
* Water by gravity from nearby spring
* Compost toilet
* Roof water collects in pond for garden etc.

Main tools used: chainsaw, hammer and 1 inch chisel, little else really. Oh and by the way I am not a builder or carpenter, my experience is only having a go at one similar house 2yrs before and a bit of mucking around inbetween. This kind of building is accessible to anyone. My main relevant skills were being able bodied, having self belief and perseverence and a mate or two to give a lift now and again.

Blue,

You inspire me in your enthusiasm for children. I love your outlook on children. It's not the children who need fixing.

~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for sharing you two
Hugs,
GG

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After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." - Aldous Huxley

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Bluemoon
Knowflake

Posts: 4456
From: Stafford, VA USA
Registered: Feb 2005

posted June 14, 2007 06:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bluemoon     Edit/Delete Message
Thanks, GG. I got to go work fro my friends Day Care today. I really enjoy it. We even got to go on a field trip to Gymnastics! Fun stuff!!

I adore childrens' art work. I always want to paint with them. Especially the little ones. they so enjoy it.

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