i know that seems odd, but i think it relates to seeing your turning*turning name in my blackberry inbox in the middle of the night. i have weird dreams but your dress was amazing!

To answer your question in short:
*t*o*d*a*y* I will spent my time and energy in
putting another dent in tidying up my rooms and office for an hour
socialising and being together in nature = nurturing my inner self
sport with them and out there

I wish you a nice (long? here in Germany it is) weekend
Tally

Now in response to your post/question. I think some of the things we do are priceless, for example why pay someone to walk your dog when it is quality time spent with your dog, watching it run around and have fun and love being with you as opposed to at home, where it might sleep a lot etc. When it comes to things like doing dishes, yes, they’re a chore, but if done the right way (not under pressure, leisurely), I find it quite relaxing. It’s one of those tasks with instant results: dirty dishes –> clean dishes. Much better than, say, dusting, where you hardly see the difference (unless you let it go dusty long enough to really see the dust). Car maintenance… well, I guess I like to have an overview of things concerning me and control my own life, so I want to be sure that the brakes are checked when they’re need to and not entrust my life on the road to someone else who doesn’t quite care about my life as much as I do

And how will I spend my time and energy today? Well, for the first part, I’ll spend it the way I have to to make a living: working. Luckily I generally enjoy my job, so while it may be hard work, it’s not difficult. After that, I’ll spend it the way I’m expected to: cleaning my apartment a bit so that my weekend visitor thinks highly of me as opposed to “what a messy person”. And then (or maybe a little bit earlier.. I’ll spend it the way I really want to today: quilting. I’m close to finishing to major projects, a babyquilt and a large quilt for a friend, and it’s going to be extremely satisfying to put the last stitches into those projects soon. The time I spend doing what I want makes up for the times I spend doing “chores” in the broadest sense of the word. For example, this morning, I had to do all the usual stuff of getting up, washing, not doing the pile of dishes that’s still waiting to be done, making lunch etc, tedious. But I allowed myself to put one, just one, safety pin into the large quilt I’m pinning together right now, and that somehow helped. Like I treated myself to something I guess I’m easily pleased, haha!

Oops, what a looong comment but I guess you get me thinking…

Cheers,
Christine

Culturally we are told to follow the rules and be unique at the same time, an impossible task. The social structure is that you have to belong to a certain group and follow their rules: watch the right tv-series, buy clothes that fit in their parameters, listen to a particular kind of music, visit the ‘right’ places, talk/think so and so about certain subjects. Surely you can change groups but the list stays the same.

To me it is no wonder that there are so many self-help books with the subject ‘find yourself again’. We have this need within us (for some it is strong for other just a little tickle) and it is a very difficult job to do because you have to separate yourself from what you are being fed by everything and everyone and take the consequences with it. Convience foods, tv and all the other things offered are there because of someone elses idea/plan and imposed on us by smart marketingstrategies. For the most part these products are not there to help us to become a strong, healthy, unique, well-balanaced person. Mass-production wouldn’t stand a chance if we all decided to nurture ourselves into the person we want to be.

What has this to do with making things. Everything because no one tells us to make that quilt or to paint that painting in such a color. It gives us a chance to be ourselves/express ourselves while we are doing it and I hope from the bottom of my heart the world will let that happen without interferring (too much).

A wonderful, very creative weekend too all of you.

Next, I found this post very provoking. I’m spending quite a bit of time these days considering what compels those of us who make things to do it. In many cases it’s true that it would be less expensive (both financially and in hours spent) to purchase the item in question. But we make these sacrifices because we are compelled to create. I’ve heard it said that it’s an outlet. And on some level I agree. Creatively I feel a need to express myself. Also, I feel calmed by keeping my hands busy – my focus is clarified (perhaps one of the only times I actually feel focused). But why? And therein lies my question. I’m not sure the answer matters but I seek it nonetheless. Thank you for your thoughtful insight.