Lots of rain
Just finished Susan Wittig Albert’s book, “Together Alone.” I read it because I read and loved her book, “An Extraordinary Year of Ordinary Days.” Yes–two Albert books in a row.
I’ll admit, I’ve dipped into her mysteries but they are too “cozy” for me. But oh how I love her non-fiction. This is a woman I’d love to meet and spend time with. Love to have a day with her, listening to her wisdom, cooking a meal with her, and taking a long walk together. How often do we encounter people we’d like to know more? Albert is one of those women for me.
In “Together Alone,” which is a memoir of marriage and place, she talks about getting a living as a writer. She calls it “right livelihood,” saying that “right livelihood is a Buddhist concept that involves working in an occupation that calls forth the best in you, encourages you to grow, and enables you to respect yourself while you respect the needs of others and nature.” (pg. 77)
This syncs so well with what I’ve been thinking about over the last two weeks. One of the things we are doing at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) is envisioning our career and lives. IIN is a professional training program in the very best sense of the word. This isn’t just nutrition facts or theory but also application. What do you (the student) plan to do with your certification?
I’ve been forced to think deeply and deliberately about that question. I want it to fall into the realm of “right livelihood.” That makes sense. To earn a living in a manner that respects me and all those around me.
Here is my intention: To create a farm-based business where I work with people, helping them to raise their own food and to know what to do with it once it’s raised. I want to help people craft a life around the essential skills.
A bold statement. But isn’t that how dreams become reality?
What is your “right livelihood?”
