Since I got back from the Yukon I have been trying to come up with a good entry. I knew I did not want to spout the bitter rantings I have before, that was done. Those you know know I I know why I don't want to do that work and its been said. So I got to thinking about my identity, and the aspects that the work I have done clashes with and what makes me happy, thus the Hobbit's Manifesto was born.This is for all the Hobbits who never left the Shire and did not mind.
I have as my Facebook Bio that I am the worlds tallest hobbit. Why. Well Consider the Hobbits, not Bilbo, Frodo, Merry, Pippen, or Sam, but all the other ones, the ones who's life style was being protected by the halfling fourth. Now we are unfortunately well into the third age of mankind and have forgotten some of the better notions. I intend to remind people of some of them.SLOW DOWN. Friends people, enemies not every thing has to happen right away. Good things take time. If you rush you will miss out on simple pleasures. It is these simple ones that hold together your sense of wellbeing while wait or plan for the next big event. Its good to have big plans and adventures. Its good to want to go to an expensive opera or hockey game, but don't let that cloud you to the good cup of coffee you could enjoy if you did not have a long commute.
Modest means. In the same vein as slow down and in part as consequence of modest means are part of the hobbiting life style. You will find your self hard pressed to achieve the life tempo of proper breakfast(s) good coffee and tea, if you try to afford the Mc-mansion in the Suburbs and the 2.5 cars to support the 2.5 kids. So don't. Step back. Ask your self how much space do you need, is a neighborhood defined by a building code, lawn mowing guildlines or something more fundamental. I am not expressly against a house in the suburbs however, any mode of living where too much time is spent in the isolating confines of a private car to a and from a private home is not compatible with the Hobbiting way of life.
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| A meal which was shared and enjoyed. |
Food and the other simple pleasures. Now I started calling myself a Hobbit when I noticed that I was living underground with a view of a garden, and it was not a dark dank hole. I also started calling myself a Hobbit when I became aware of the feed back from the food posts I made of facebook. Hobbits, are known for eating, and the pleasure they take from it. I share in that pleasure. As with Hobbits I feel food should be made fresh, from wholesome and whole ingredients. Take the time, don't be afraid to mess up, you will but so has every one else to me its a form of play. That it self is something that should be part of every day life. I even encourage going barefoot as once again part of slowing down and feeling the grass between your toes and getting into nature a little.
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| The text reads: There are the things you do because they make you feel right & they may make no sense & they make no money. & it may be the real reason we are here : To love each other & to eat each others cooking & and say it was good. |
2 comments:
"This is for all the Hobbits who never left the Shire and did not mind."
That would be me...though not quite I guess, because I needed to move to the Shire (Kootenays) first.
Needless to say, this post made your mother smile broadly, since it reflects the story of my life and values precisely. One mark of adulthood is having a sense of self that is strong enough to take overlaps with parents in stride.
This is a pure delight to read, particularly knowing you and knowing you really mean it. I have much to learn from you, my friend.
Dr Rob
aka "Tarrrrrrrrrzweeeeeeeel"
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