Sunday Musings - August 1, 2021
In the United States, as well as in other countries, there is an acute housing shortage. My understanding is that the housing shortage is affecting all income levels although, of course, those with more income are in a better position to outbid on new construction or existing houses. In addition to the post pandemic price of materials, including lumber, there is a shortage of skilled carpenters. The reason for this is multi layered, but part of the problem has been an over emphasis on going to college and not enough encouragement to join an apprentice program.
Ideally, of course, one attends college to learn how to think and, thus, how to create a more just, inclusive world. Sadly, past surveys indicate that a large percentage of college students in the United States attend college to learn how to make money which has very little relationship to why or how one lives with self, others, or Mother Nature.
For many years, another myth was that one necessarily earns more money and, thus, can take better care of one’s family if one has a college degree. In fact, many surveys did find, on the average, college graduates have earned more money than the non-college graduate. Some additional facts:
· How much money one earns may not indicate how happy or satisfied with life one is.
· For most of us quality of life is improved if we have the basics of a safe home for ourselves and our family, enough healthy food, health care, and heat. We also feel better if we can provide the opportunity for our children to grow emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually.
· Power, position, large home, and material goods do not in and of themselves equal emotional, spiritual, or mental health.
· Many skilled laborers earn as much or more money than college graduates.
· Many college graduates are struggling to pay off huge student loans and due to interest will often pay them off many times over.
· Attending college or even graduate school does not necessarily result in being able to articulate and respond to question about the purpose of this life journey, the spiritual legacy one wants to leave, or how-to live-in harmony with people and the rest of mother nature. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in philosophy did force me to ask important life questions but had nothing to do with earning a living.
· Sadly, for many, religion is about avoiding punishment or hell and has little to do with guiding one in being present with love to the rest of the universe. Too often religion is about an us-them mentality
The older one gets the more one realizes that if one lives 4 score and 7 years or even 5 score life is over in in the blink of an eye. Anyone who has been to an “estate” sale knows that most relatives have no use for the many material items one has accumulated. One can pick up a box of assorted stuff for a few dollars at an estate safe. A few items might be valuable to someone else, but soon that stuff will wear out or be placed in another box at another estate sale.
Daily we all leave a life structure which can be built on sand, swap land, or a carefully constructed foundation; a foundation which, like the buildings which architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright attempted to design, exist in harmony with the Mother Nature. Such architects are acutely aware even their buildings may be imperfect long-term companions to Mother Nature .
Many of us will not live to be four score and 7 or even two score and 7. No matter how many score we live, each day is an opportunity to construct a foundation. We have no control over what happens to that foundation or how it is received. If I love my son unconditionally he may or may not, for a host of reasons, receive it as such. That is not my concern and is certainly out of my control.
I was recently reminded by Krista Tippett on her podcast On Being that we begin as star dust. I love the image of love falling like stardust to create the blocks for the foundation I will leave today. I once owned a home which had been built by skilled crafts people in the 19th century. The stained-glass windows, pocket doors, magnificent staircase, and a million other details told me the house had been constructed with love and pride - with stardust.
The wood, glass and other materials could be destroyed by a fire or tornado tomorrow, but the stardust is eternal. It is pure energy which cannot be created or destroyed. It may resettle anywhere in the universe(s), but it will continue to be stardust.
What will be the legacy of my stardust today?
Written August 1, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
In the United States, as well as in other countries, there is an acute housing shortage. My understanding is that the housing shortage is affecting all income levels although, of course, those with more income are in a better position to outbid on new construction or existing houses. In addition to the post pandemic price of materials, including lumber, there is a shortage of skilled carpenters. The reason for this is multi layered, but part of the problem has been an over emphasis on going to college and not enough encouragement to join an apprentice program.
Ideally, of course, one attends college to learn how to think and, thus, how to create a more just, inclusive world. Sadly, past surveys indicate that a large percentage of college students in the United States attend college to learn how to make money which has very little relationship to why or how one lives with self, others, or Mother Nature.
For many years, another myth was that one necessarily earns more money and, thus, can take better care of one’s family if one has a college degree. In fact, many surveys did find, on the average, college graduates have earned more money than the non-college graduate. Some additional facts:
· How much money one earns may not indicate how happy or satisfied with life one is.
· For most of us quality of life is improved if we have the basics of a safe home for ourselves and our family, enough healthy food, health care, and heat. We also feel better if we can provide the opportunity for our children to grow emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually.
· Power, position, large home, and material goods do not in and of themselves equal emotional, spiritual, or mental health.
· Many skilled laborers earn as much or more money than college graduates.
· Many college graduates are struggling to pay off huge student loans and due to interest will often pay them off many times over.
· Attending college or even graduate school does not necessarily result in being able to articulate and respond to question about the purpose of this life journey, the spiritual legacy one wants to leave, or how-to live-in harmony with people and the rest of mother nature. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in philosophy did force me to ask important life questions but had nothing to do with earning a living.
· Sadly, for many, religion is about avoiding punishment or hell and has little to do with guiding one in being present with love to the rest of the universe. Too often religion is about an us-them mentality
The older one gets the more one realizes that if one lives 4 score and 7 years or even 5 score life is over in in the blink of an eye. Anyone who has been to an “estate” sale knows that most relatives have no use for the many material items one has accumulated. One can pick up a box of assorted stuff for a few dollars at an estate safe. A few items might be valuable to someone else, but soon that stuff will wear out or be placed in another box at another estate sale.
Daily we all leave a life structure which can be built on sand, swap land, or a carefully constructed foundation; a foundation which, like the buildings which architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright attempted to design, exist in harmony with the Mother Nature. Such architects are acutely aware even their buildings may be imperfect long-term companions to Mother Nature .
Many of us will not live to be four score and 7 or even two score and 7. No matter how many score we live, each day is an opportunity to construct a foundation. We have no control over what happens to that foundation or how it is received. If I love my son unconditionally he may or may not, for a host of reasons, receive it as such. That is not my concern and is certainly out of my control.
I was recently reminded by Krista Tippett on her podcast On Being that we begin as star dust. I love the image of love falling like stardust to create the blocks for the foundation I will leave today. I once owned a home which had been built by skilled crafts people in the 19th century. The stained-glass windows, pocket doors, magnificent staircase, and a million other details told me the house had been constructed with love and pride - with stardust.
The wood, glass and other materials could be destroyed by a fire or tornado tomorrow, but the stardust is eternal. It is pure energy which cannot be created or destroyed. It may resettle anywhere in the universe(s), but it will continue to be stardust.
What will be the legacy of my stardust today?
Written August 1, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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