Job Stability and Bipolar

Gardening is so awesome. If I had a home where I could garden I would do it in a heartbeat. There is something so rewarding about getting back to the fundamentals of life. I think a lot of people develop mental illness bc we live in such an overwhelming culture. We are expected to live up to specific standards that are completely unrealistic for most people. I don' know. I have often thought about buying a small farm where I can be totally self-sufficient, and really be a part of the big picture of living a life of substance rather than a constant pursuit of material things. Anyway, enough of that.

Art is awesome. I think your friends are right. You should totally check it out. Try different things and see what you like to do most. I like to do some things more than others and some at different times. Anything creative is freeing bc no negative thoughts count in art. A huge part of being an artist is analyzing yours and others' works is seeing the beauty in what someone calls their art. Basically, you can't do anything wrong, and there is something so wonderful about that.

Angela

Wife and I are presently working toward this goal. The 16 acre farm is named NEW BEGINNINGS. We moved here and began the farm just after my wife was diagnosed with bipolar. It is our safe haven from the insanity (if you will) of the world. This is a place that we have created a stable enviroment.

God Bless

RED

Post edited by: red1965, at: 03/23/2008 04:52

I too would love to have a small farm out in the middle of no where. I would love to have pigmy goat so, I don't have to mow the lawn.

I keep expanding my garden.

I get frustrated with the expectations of society, too. I have never been "normal", and have had a hard time fitting in. I was a hippy when, I was younger. I travelled around alot, and lived in communes.

It was really cool. We used to make things, and sell them.

Post edited by: norma, at: 03/23/2008 13:17

Wow, reading all your posts makes me want to run out and just do it. I don't know what it is about the thought of being completely self-reliant. I think it is what we need as humans. It gives one a sense of self worth, and the basic most wonderful things we can't see through our high-tech, one-up everyone in existence lenses, some would see for the first time ever.

Something that got me thinking about a lot of this is when I look back on history and what has changed that has brought on all these diagnoses of mental illness, especially ones related to anxiety in any way. I think when the only thing people think about is money and how they are going to survive, and how the money they so heavily rely upon is coming in from some unseen force it brings anxiety. We all go to the grocery store to buy food that comes from some unknown source. We just expect all these things to be there, and when we have no real sense that the money we need to get all these things is going to be there (or worth anything) it can freak a person out. To be able to rely on yourself to know you can go pick your food from your garden, or know that as much as the sun will rise, you will have power, or as long as the aquifer doesn't dry up you will have water, are all such empowering thoughts. I think there is a reason why so many people long for this type of lifestyle.

Angela

That is fascinating. I have not read any Thoreau, but I will certainly go check into some of his writings. Thanks for the suggestion.

Angela

p.s. since I haven't read any of his writings to know the context, what is your interpretation of the quote you left?