Day 3 – Create Something

I touched on it on day one when I was preparing my morning’s cup of hot water: we are not responsible for the things we use everyday. The interdependency of our species is staggering. One worker’s uncleanliness in a foreign factory can result in an E. Coli outbreak across our entire country.

My wife’s great uncle TJ could hunt, farm, blacksmith, and build a house or car from the ground up. How many people like him are left in this world?

When is the last time you made something with your hands?

You can find meaning and purpose by creating something beautiful.

My wife has been working for almost three years on a clothing line. She scavenges through Goodwill and thrift stores, buys old clothes, takes them apart and makes something new. Her creations are art and fashion. Each piece is unique to the client. All of them are loved. None are perfect.

100% recycled fabric and 100% awesome

Today’s lesson: Creating something makes you more connected to your world.

Too many times we’re proud of our purchases. We feel special when we have something that others covet but buying is not creating. It is not a creative process.

During the Summer, I don’t buy my wife flowers. Around April, I start zinnia seedlings and plant them after the first frost. Instead of buying her flowers, I cut her fresh ones every week.

If you are following along from home, try to figure out something you can make yourself to replace a buying habit.

Let me know if you need some zinnia seeds.