Lovely musings Richard, my lived experience has often been similar. As always the big question remains for me at least, how do we manage financially as artisans, especially if we have not succumbed previously to the rules of the games for making money. Many of us have been making do for years. We may be flourishing in other ways and grateful for those. But in the midst of the entangled big things you mention, our financial resilience is more fragile than ever.
Best wishes to all for a healthy, fruitful start to 2024.
Thanks Asha. I smiled when I realised our birtdays are two days apart ;-). The issue and practicality of making money without becoming enmeshed is a key theme for me this year, especially as I think many organisations find themselves increasingly like Sisyphus, with little time for regeneration, and pass that load onto employees. I think those of us who cannot accept the price of addiction to a monthly salary, who choose to live "outside the walls" can help each other as the cracks in current business models begin to show.
We reflect on the past and anticipate the future, but can only ever be where we are right now. I'm personally indulging a growing sense of purposeful direction while consciously looking down to see where my feet are right now and trying to appreciated their rootedness. On good days this builds a compelling creative tension, on bad days it creates anxiety - it's a continual negotiation.
Thanks for your excellent writing and all the best for 2024.
Thanks John. There's a lot to be said I think for lingering in uncertainty. Perhaps a little like cold water immersion - quite invigorating when the agony subsides :-) There's some great material, and interesting people I'm finding in unexpected places around this, which I'll share. In the meantime, wishing you a transformative '24
Lovely musings Richard, my lived experience has often been similar. As always the big question remains for me at least, how do we manage financially as artisans, especially if we have not succumbed previously to the rules of the games for making money. Many of us have been making do for years. We may be flourishing in other ways and grateful for those. But in the midst of the entangled big things you mention, our financial resilience is more fragile than ever.
Best wishes to all for a healthy, fruitful start to 2024.
Thanks Asha. I smiled when I realised our birtdays are two days apart ;-). The issue and practicality of making money without becoming enmeshed is a key theme for me this year, especially as I think many organisations find themselves increasingly like Sisyphus, with little time for regeneration, and pass that load onto employees. I think those of us who cannot accept the price of addiction to a monthly salary, who choose to live "outside the walls" can help each other as the cracks in current business models begin to show.
Yes, fellow Capricorn, I totally agree
We reflect on the past and anticipate the future, but can only ever be where we are right now. I'm personally indulging a growing sense of purposeful direction while consciously looking down to see where my feet are right now and trying to appreciated their rootedness. On good days this builds a compelling creative tension, on bad days it creates anxiety - it's a continual negotiation.
Thanks for your excellent writing and all the best for 2024.
Thanks John. There's a lot to be said I think for lingering in uncertainty. Perhaps a little like cold water immersion - quite invigorating when the agony subsides :-) There's some great material, and interesting people I'm finding in unexpected places around this, which I'll share. In the meantime, wishing you a transformative '24