Portable Peaks

After spending another glorious long weekend on Peaks Island, a question emerges and remains. How to emanate whenceward the way-of-living that comes so easily there? Can the good aesthetic, social, and ecological vibes of the island be transmitted?

Photo: DTVD

Aesthetic: This is art and craft. It is an aesthetic of place, not contrived and kitschy but homegrown and authentic. It is on display in the gardens and front porches; the look of wholeness and unity.

Social: Being on a small island promotes a spirit of community. We wave to every car and pedestrian, and they wave back. Generations who return and return are bound by their mutual appreciation of what they've shared.

Ecological: The proximity to nature and the inherent awareness of island ecosystem drives a strong sense of eco-logic. The tide rises, waves crash, fog rolls, rain falls. Creation is eminent, it demands awe and responsibility.

The clues are there. Locality. Community. Place. Apprectiation. It is easy to forget about these things amongst the daily drudgery of congested roadways, monolithic megamarts, a sea of "development" that drowns ideas of vigor and beauty from our lives. In the face of a daunting challenge, small tacks in the right direction are victories. I'm starting by waving to neighbors from the car.

Today, tomorrow...

Basics

The new mission:

• clean air
• safe and sufficient water
• safe and adequate food
• safe and peaceful settlements
• stable global environment

From Basic Environmental Health (via Wrapped in Royal Blue).

Ephemeralization

I live on Earth at present, and I don’t know what I am. I know that I am not a category. I am not a thing — a noun. I seem to be a verb, an evolutionary process — an integral function of the universe.

~ R. Buckminster Fuller

Ghost town

I watched this movie on a flight a few months ago. It was dreadfully cliché: Greg Kinnear is dead and Ricky Garvis Gervais (British Office creator) is the only one who can see or hear him. Et cetera.

. . . . .
Two nights ago the same terribly obvious plot was my nightmare; a sinking suspicion that no one could see or hear me. I wandered tentatively at first, careful to avoid confirming the fear. Having fully lapsed into that thoroughly unenjoyable state, I approached someone I used to know. All of my senses palpable, but I was invisible. Untouchable. Trapped.

Maximum duress, I awoke. What a curse! To be stranded in the realm of consciousness with no way of interacting, of being felt.


The desire to rearrange, expressed even in limited-flailing capacities, is purpose. The ability to communicate, to interact, is blessing. Reach out, optimize.

Me vs. me vs. them

Phil Hellmuth is lucky, his talent compensates for his personality. Most of us just have the bad attitude, sans eleven World Series of Poker bracelets.

I wish for my potential to be recognized, my persona forgotten.

Never think, "I deserve better" - you don't. Only, employ the traits assigned to you with a heart for the world, of which you are but an infinitesimal agent.

Welcome to

pragmanticism.blogspot.com

mission statement:

free your heart from hatred
free your mind from worry
live diligently
expect less
give more