One thing about Utah that I have come to really like (and if I’m honest, it took getting used to) is the good people and their general willingness to help others out. In the end, it is a labor of love. That is the higher rung of Utah that is available. It may involve a climb.

Hold that thought you funny Californians! Utah is full. Seems like that was on the radio just the other day. Just being funny.

Here we go:

Some of my friends and neighbors and I, simply amidst the general busyness of gardening and living, have become accustomed to borrowing accessories, tools, and sometimes even services. I live in a great area where people are glad to voluntarily help. I say it is a good thing to not get used to this and to not take advantage of this generosity; so quite often, (yet not always) I pay them. I think it is really cool and commendable that we think outside of the hourly wage and do it what I call musician style. It is payment for a gig-traded labor. It is a cleaning project here a gardening or trimming project there. My gardener friend and I found that we often have slightly different routes to similar goals, whether with projects or financially, so we have learned to borrow, trade and even pay for the “occasional gig.” This might be a tool, bin, container, a task, or a myriad of garden accessories. It works out and it goes without saying that there is an unsaid striving for an equal exchange. There is trust that it will be paid forward, back or to the side and we don’t get caught up in the nickel and diming that society does.I like this because our style is organic, based on trust and respect, awareness that it is mutually beneficial; yet it is unofficial; that is, unsaid and unwritten. We don’t stress or burn calories over who owes what; it is trust-based.

Exchanges of services. goods, such as homegrown fruit, vegetables, homemade salsa or bread, or simply repaid with another favor, they all have their merit, their own value of currency. There is no agreement and no contract. It balances out somewhere along the journey and we all know and trust this process. Perhaps roughly depending on size and scope of the project, more money is naturally involved and there is payment for a project from smaller to larger. It is an equal give and receiving to where both get something in the mindset of gratitude. In fact, I have one of these coming right up. I plan to utilize one of my friend’s artistic abilities for a decent-sized gardening project. It has been said that everyone has an inner-artist. I think I’m still looking for mine… At least in the painting and illustration sense; that seems to be a talent that skipped me, but in this particular way, my friend is a true artist. This is efficient borrowing of this particular friend’s artistic ability where I do plan to pay money for what is basically a big favor. I already know I can’t do this necessary job to the level of skill that he can, so in instances such as this I am gladly willing to pay money for it. He’s good at it, he enjoys it, and he is glad to get a little extra cash.

Yet, what I described above, you may notice that this is today’s rarity. “Who does that?!” The short answer is that cooperation, assistance, regular sharing of the abundance has been the mode of humans helping each other live and survive for far longer than not. Actually, everything under the sun (or created by it) costing money is rather new. The buying, stressing, spending, nickeling and diming is a recent addition in human history. Of course there were times when cooperation and sharing worked and times when it didn’t flow as much, but there is no reason why these principles can’t free up modern humanity now. There are no excuses. The timeless principles of interdependence will always put things into perspective and clarify what is important.

Nobody can do it all. It really isn’t wise to try, It is so much easier to borrow, share, divide labor, cooperate, delegate. In the extremes of a consumer-driven society saturation is reached to the point of every man for himself, which leads to extremes in competition, stress, and a widening inequality gap. This “keep up or get out” mindset becomes tall individuality. Yet, how tall do you want to be? How extreme?

Instead, may I recommend friends, neighbors with similar goals and philosophy.

Balance is good. Everyone needs a little extra cash, to save, to have, to blow, to spend or whatever, but it doesn’t have to be the focus of our lives, which is exactly the dominant message of the day. We’re also very busy, what a paradox of our age. With more conveniences than ever before, we are busier than ever before. At least one reason for this is that the attempt is made to do it all by oneself.

Cooperation, honor, respect (even of differences), interdependence with the awareness and reevaluation of needs I submit would be the healing balm that is so needed today. In the end, everyone wants their family, closest friends and loved ones to be healthy, nourished, well fed and happy. And this chain extends to the entire human family. Regular readers, you know that this is the very essence of the Wellness Diaries philosophy.

You should try it, and this is just only small example. My friend and I get some buddy time; it’s time well spent socializing (if we feel like it), time spent outside in the sun or rain surrounded by mommy nature and her abundant gifts. There would be a natural and joyous wane in excess getting, buying, spending, stress, waste and driving. There would also be more unity, another aspect that needs a little TLC these days. Sounds like a win-win-win. This very mode would correct many of history’s mistakes. A completely new dimension to the local concept ay?! Local is in your neighborhood; it means a few houses down.

Like exercise, stress reduction and eating well, learning to need less and want selectively is actually more. The practice takes time, a conscious application of balance and self-discipline throughout the journey. Where there is consistent application of this philosophy and these principles there is always a sigh of relief. Both humanity and the earth feel it. I think Thomas Jefferson would agree. There may be little resemblance today to his time and his party, but I think he would agree.

-O

Some time ago, a book with a peculiar title was recommended to me. Intrigued, I found a copy, and I’m nearly finished with the book Caste, The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. The word that is often associated with the social problems of some far away place or another time such as India or Nazi Germany, (parallels to both are made often throughout the book), few would associate it with today’s America. Yet, this is exactly what Wilkerson skillfully illustrates and captures like a film. With examples from history and modern situations that continually have the reader quietly asking “what would I do in that instance?” Caste is sure to shed light and cause readers to ask several key questions. One is if slavery was abolished, why are the systematic workings that stemmed from it still in use today?

The book is a must read. Awareness, honesty, healthy dialogue are key solutions to any social problem, including the entrapment of caste, One thing I took from the reading is just how programmed we are in this society to think competitively. We are conditioned to view others as either above or beneath ourselves, which takes rethinking to overcome this tendency. Regarding this, one thing I have decided to change personally is to retrain myself in viewing others having more similarities than differences. I change habitual thoughts of “up” or “down” to familiar and lateral-expansion that befits others in a grand design, and not merely a measure, or a race, the continuous pursuit of things and status. I am personally working on refusing the participation of dialogue that invites or perpetuates caste interplay. One of these, which I have commented on before are the comparative/competitive questions that we are all often asked simply throughout life. These questions, born of the habits of hierarchy are to determine where another fits in the caste system, or to remind others of their place. These further perpetuate the cycle and we don’t have to accept or continue them. I am personally opting out of the all too familiar dialogue.

While in a busy commons area during a recent trip, I heard a Reggae song with music and a particular sound that really appealed to me. I asked the person in charge of the music about the song details. {You know who you are. 🙂 Sorry for being annoying. Thank you for being patient and kind}.

Practically demanding, I asked, “Who sings this song?!”

“Not sure.”

“Well, can you search to see who it is? It’s on your playlist.”

Annoyed, yet kind, the person obliged and found the song for me. I added a new song while on my trip. I liked the song so much that I sought it out and bought it when I got home. I soon rediscovered what someone once pointed out to me: Reggae often has happy music but sad lyrics. The upbeat music doesn’t even hint to sadness. But as soon as one catches the lyrics, slavery and the atrocities of 17th century colonialism become apparent. Upon being faced with unexpected sadness, my first reaction was to turn off the song and put it away, even though I liked the music. But this time I endured the sadness of the lyrics. It is quite natural to want to seek out the happy and tend to avoid the negative or what is sad. I don’t believe there is anything inherently wrong with this tendency. In this instance though, I said no to any form of denial. Repeated denial can easily form and lead to habitual thinking.

I still like the music, and I still listen to the song. I may hear it with different ears now, I would call it expanded awareness. To me, this was a token, a moment of a willingness to listen, and to face what was uncomfortable. In my mind, it was a small exercise in hope and awareness. I pause. I take in the sad and honest lyrics, knowing that it is a part of history, and I take it with hope that mistakes can and will be acknowledged and learned from. If humanity were an individual that chose to learn from that historical mistake, how much better off would that humanity be! Mindfulness, awareness, willingness to stop, think, contemplate, act and empathize would go far.

Indeed an intriguing concept, healing the wounds of the past is to heal the present, and improve the nature of things for the future… Mind boggling and fascinating.

At any rate, please join me in reading the book.

Some take home tips:

Be authentic, not competitive.

Be happy for others, knowing that your chance to go for your dreams is on its way.

Focus. Spend time, energy, money (human currency) on what you want. Go for it!

Share some with others throughout your journey.

Thank you for reading,

O

Here is more from these artists. Intriguing work! Authentic.

Stand for the Silent
Stand for the Silent is a suicide prevention non-profit that I was made aware of during the holidays.

You can donate online or in person when you see the organization as I did. This way it goes to the Utah chapter. Please donate. Help foster awareness. Suicide is a complex issue that is multi-layered, and it is 100% preventable. Nobody should reach that point. Ample help and support is available. Life is available. I am glad to have personally crossed paths with this organization.

Love, Well-being and happiness in 2024,

Owen

Related writings:
Prison Project
http://wellnessdiaries.com/orphanage-that-grows-organic-vegetables/

These minis are a lesson learned. I know what happened, so now I can change the recipe for next time. They were still tasty! But I wanted to share this brief post with photo; they’re almost whimsical! How are they een real?! 🙂

This is a mimosa flower. Not only are the blossoms and trees impressive looking but they smell amazing! Continue to rename the plants I will. This is Rose of Persia. The name Desert Rose also seems to fit, but that name has already been taken (Adenium obesum). Everyone knows the classic rose fragrance, and I am certainly not knocking a classic. Who doesn’t love roses? And of the many that do, who hasn’t been pricked by their thorns?? There is not one without the other. With this, and perhaps many aspects of life, there is that sweet sting, that ringing in your mind and ears. Roses stand as a stark even if beautiful reminder of that truth. You will certainly feel it.

But the smell of Rose of Persia (the new name for this tree) escapes description; it is one of those that requires you to invite your friends over to experience it. Many a cosmetics company tries to duplicate the fragrance of mimosa tree but to no avail. They are disguised, perfumed synthetic chemicals at best, “imitations, copies of creation,”, (Staples, O. 2013). Nothing but nothing compares to the real scent of mimosa blossom, one of the precious gifts that only nature can provide.

Knock knock at the door.

“What happens here?”

“Hey man, the rose of Persia is in bloom. After all, what a 365 this particular revolution has been. Need we borrow and beg?”

“Ah, well played sir; well played, and it is all play-with our hands-music. My desert tribe shall bring the grander things, the cliff tribe, the rustic things, and the sea tribe, filtration. You may bring the juice of the vine of your choice and color. Beer of barley, or brandy of apple for those who partake. While it may be the desert tribes’ time to play our song on behalf of the desert, it is your turn to sleep while the garden grows. Please rest easy; my people stand by prepared to give to you juice of the vine of your choice of the finest make, and cool your heat with peacock feathers eager to cool, calm and comfort you and yours. You really are an amusing sort; thought you’d have a go at occupying the desert you did, being in no way prepared for the sun’s rays of the high desert. You are not equipped in clothing, genetics, supplies, water usage and conservation, and certainly not skin type {background giggling}. In this desert sun, we see daily that white turns to red even quicker than mushrooms sprout from your Kentucky bluegrass lawns, another of your curious additions to the desert. We are equipped, however; and we are so in every way. We like you, and our people will help you. So let us cooperate and enjoy it together.

A rose by any other name? Red, yellow, purple, white, orange which; tickle, twitch. Flower of passion. We welcome you to creature-universal precision. The universe is love. And even choking on the dust and burning the eyes as it settles, the please, the sorry, the thank you and help of it is heard. Trust in the diversity, the goodness that still exists. Through pure instrumentation the play is even higher. For our climb, our crawl, even our fall is our universal expansion. For only planted do we stand. Thank you for this invitation in abasement; we shall see you there. We await these joyous songs of the highest melody with keenest anticipation. It is well and aligned. Rose and rose laterally will ye as promised.”

-O
Related writings:
Speaking of Your Wellness Diary
More than Surviving, Thriving!
Human Diversity and Biodiversity, Two Essentials
Are You Loing the Snow?

Upon noticing that the bees seem to be extra busy in September, the remember the bees motto was born. I am happy to say that I plan the yard here as a chemical-free sanctuary for beneficial insects including bees. It is a great thing to go out regardless of the time of day and see them buzzing about, hundreds of them! It is rewarding to see even a small patch of healthy nature-doing what it is supposed to do. Keep in mind the essential role played by bees and other pollinators. The native bees seem to prefer the sunflowers and the honeybees (not native) seem to prefer others such as Salvia, Caryopteris etc., They may be picky about flowers, but we aren’t picky about bees. The above photo is an example of at least one type of ornamental plant-Stonecrop, or Sedum, (a drought-tolerant plant also), that both honeybees and native bees visit regularly. It is rewarding to see all of them swarming around it. The photo shown is a honeybee. The native bees that favor this plant are very tiny, too hard to see here. No matter; they’re all welcome here!

You might enjoy making a beneficial insect sanctuary in your yard as I have. Salvia, Russian sage, Caryopteris, butterfly bush, Agastache, are a few plants that they tend to favor and will swarm them.There are ample options of plants that attract them.

Have a good one.

-O

Related writings:
Speaking of Your Wellness Diary
Helping the Native Bees to Thrive

You’ll have to excuse the fuzzy photos taken with my stoneage camera ha ha, but I’m always ready to share and review a product aligned to the philosophy here. This tissue company is not only tree free, but also helps to ensure equal rights for women, being a women owned company. I hope they get rich! I’m glad to help them do so. They’re doing a good thing for humanity and the planet. After all, true abundance is not at the expense of another and doesn’t take away from others, but adds to, helping other lives/beings to thrive also. Diversity. I love finding creative, smaller, independent businesses like this, so I’m always eager to share when I do
https://truegreenpaper.com/

Also, as promised, I said that I am wanting to reduce the amount of plastic that I use; here are some plastic free kitchen bags; they’re made of plants! While they are a bit more expensive and not as strong as plastic, to me that is worth it, living lightly.
https://repurpose.com/

Reducing plastic and sustainable paper. Bamboo is awesome! it grows right back.
Feel it with me! It feels good and right for a reason.

-O

Similar writings:
Food Recommendation
Speaking of Your Wellness Diary

Yeah, it’s a Darner, and hemimetabolous.