I found a leopard frog in the grass awhile ago and felt inclined to draw it, being the first I’ve seen in a long time. The decline in frog populations has been extremely noticeable over the decade. Even our boisterous spring peepers have dwindled significantly. The quiet moments of excitement remind me why I care … Continue reading The Frog
The act of struggle has been taught to abandon gratitude, crisis informs us we cannot afford to be thankful. How can I possible accept my current situation? Wouldn’t that make me complacent? But I already was complacent with struggle, resigned. I was fearful of gratitude. To accept the gifts of life, I would need to … Continue reading Gratitude, a Foundation
I will change and I can’t force anyone to. I can only teach by example, not pandering to those unwilling to try. No one is hopeless but I will save my energy for those who are willing to change. If I practice what I preach and be consistent with my values and beliefs, then there … Continue reading Waiting for the World to Change
Expensive materials are rarely ever needed. Any hobby can be pursued sustainably without a need for money— you must utilize imagination and our natural instincts to make things. Art especially needs nothing but inspiration. Most of the best art I’ve come out and have seen with has been with recycled or unconventional materials. In art … Continue reading Making Art With No Money
Why do thinkers think? Why do we learn? Is a PhD in philosophy just a tool to continue the conveyor belt of manufactured thinkers who will then go on to fulfill their roll? Is it all just debate with no outcome? There is an ultimate purpose to philosophy and that’s to inspire action. I’ve been … Continue reading Philosophy Beyond Doctrine
Our free will isn’t ultimate nor is it unaffected by outside influences, but the one and only thing we truly own is ourselves. Our body, our mind, our soul, our Self, this is ours. We are owed our rights to basic resources, food, shelter, etcetera, and we’re owed freedom to live our lives as we … Continue reading Personal Responsibility
Living is a series of relationships. How we interact with the life around us is part of what determines how synchronized we are with the world— the real world, outside of social constructs. This is the domain of weather, minerals, fauna, flora, etc. Today we’re focusing on flora, the plants. When we think of nature … Continue reading Your Relationship with Plants
Using the word ‘talking’ loosely, it’s possible if not essential that we learn to communicate with plants. The flora already know how to bridge the gap on their end, but we as humans are often too insular and egocentric to take the time to listen and reciprocate. First, let’s go through how plants speak. All … Continue reading How to Talk to Plants
How many times will you be told the importance of connecting with nature? People, including myself, will tout speeches on the interconnectedness of life and the necessity of a healthy relationship with the natural world, but rarely will be specific about how. Go for a hike, take up gardening, paint landscapes, these are actions that … Continue reading We Wonder, How Do We Engage with Nature?
Sustaining Practice 