Working - Marketing - Living….Time for New Paradigms?

Those who know me also know that, if I had my druthers, it would be possible to live in a freely giving and receiving society. Colin Turner describes how this could work via his book, IntoThe Open Economy: How Everything You Know About The World Is About To Change. The Kindle version is currently free on amazon. When undamaged people have their basic needs met, their natural default is to serve others. More of Colin’s work and ideals can be found in my previous post I am Home.

After a freely giving and receiving society, it would be delightful to barter. Granted, sometimes it’s more convenient to just pay for things with money. But bartering, more widely accepted, would be highly freeing for millions too. Then there is also that way of life I personally desire, living off the grid in semi-seclusion. I don’t mean passing the nights in a sleeping bag under the stars – although for some that would be heaven. Any supplies brought in would normally cost money but I’d prefer a trade or gifting exchange. If my fruit trees produced abundantly more than I could ever use, I’d want people to be able to come by and enjoy the bounty too. Not something I’d measure, “I gave this neighbor X amount of fruit, now I can ask them for some help with my pump”. Although even the latter would be better than needing money from my perspective.  To reiterate, money isn’t evil and works great in many peoples’ preference. It’s simply that there are so many for whom money doesn’t work so great. It only makes an added distraction from being able to truly savor life and live to their full potential. Masses spend the majority of their lives in jobs they wouldn’t be doing if they didn’t need money. Many don’t even have time or energy to enjoy their income. For some, it barely covers basic necessities. I personally know many who have more than one job to make ends meet totally compounding this dilemma. Some proudly wear their overworking life imbalance like a badge of honor. Overheard at the gym, “I haven’t taken time off since my youngest was born 4 and ½ years ago.” Why are Fridays celebrated and Mondays so dreaded? Of course that doesn’t even apply anymore to the countless folks who work weekends. “Weekend”, hmmmm, I wonder where that concept came from? That jubilant celebration of ending work and dreading the start actually speaks of grave dysfunctionality in the current accepted societal ways. Especially when the “working” time is most of their waking lifespan!

Fortunately, there seems to be a bit of an awakening – a realization that powerful change is not only possible but crucial to our health and well-being. From the olden days of tailors, blacksmiths, woodworkers, artists and bakers, there has been a resurgence of entrepreneurs and small businesses over the past few decades. Trading,

or bartering, is now seeing new life too from large cooperatives like International Bartering Exchange to online platforms such as Simbi. One can even find goods and services for free on craigslist, freecycle and the fledgling free giving website Freeworlder. Of course, there have always been generous people through the ages who have charitably given but not as a 2 way street – not as a way of life. Many people give freely but cannot freely receive – perhaps a topic for another day. The point, for the moment, indicates many good-hearted people are willing to give.

What kinds of value do people have to offer?
Dolphin and Whale Encounter Retreats
Life Coaching
Yield from their Garden
Intuitive Messages/Guidance
Healing Touch
Crafts/Handiwork Creations
Architect and Creative Design
Sweat Lodge Leader/Facilitator
Healthy Meal Preparation
Tiny House Builders
Personalized Travel Guide
Assistance with Off Grid Set-up
Musician/Singer/Entertainer
Apothecary
Travel Companion
As you can see, the list could go to infinity and beyond  – especially when people are encouraged to do and be what they are passionate about instead of what they can be most profitable engaging in.

I have noticed numerous individuals, with unique and valuable gifts, struggling to share their talents and make “a living” too. Some of these gifts are incredible, bordering on miraculous, and clearly something they are passionate about. What they are not passionate about, even though they may be capable, is marketing, sales and promotion - myself included. Generally, “successful” individuals and companies have already done the start-up and have a marketing department or company they pay that promotes them.

While indeed time for grand transformation, we are not going to go from the current money-based society to a free giving and receiving society overnight, if ever. But new paradigms are emerging. Visualize this: Marketing Magicians are out there who absolutely love what they do. Passionate and highly successful, they have an intuitive way of being able to connect offeror with seeker (vender with buyer) and vice versa. These Marketing Magicians look for and welcome people with a wide variety of proficiencies or they specialize in certain niches. They actively desire to be agents for these highly skilled individuals and love facilitating respectful matches. Connections are made with integrity and they get paid from the deals they broker. Now I realize there are currently marketing professionals that people pay to engage their services. Usually, it’s not someone who is out there looking for people that could benefit from a product or service because they truly believe in it; but it is simply because they are paid to represent a business. Traditionally, marketers are paid upfront, hourly or by the job.  Imagine they are just so good and believe in the value of the folks they represent, that they would operate strictly on the basis of getting paid for the connections/exchanges they generate? And I’m not talking about some of the senseless commission percentages out there but something that is truly a win-win-win (service provider, client and marketer). Now take it further. What if these Marketing Magicians would not just accept money but also trade for things they wanted or needed? The same scenario would be viable with people who like numbers, records and bookkeeping. This leaves the practitioners to create, care for, and serve in the manner they are most passionate with the resources to do so and live life!

Yes, this would be greatly complicated in the current money/tax system. Yet the current system doesn’t promote joyful, healthy living! “The System” was never set up with your health and well-being in mind! Brave change agents are needed to make this a better world for all. Radical transformers come in varied forms and affect shift in countless ways. Many are quite vocal on the streets or via social media. Some affect change simply by quietly living their own way, brilliantly shining in the process.

I can hear the arguments and concerns as people point out options already available. There is also only so much I can cover and keep this reasonably short enough for most of my readers to have the time to digest. Additionally, my challenge with human language makes it more complex for me to express this message with any kind of clarity. Heck, I wish I could get someone, who is eloquent with words and understands what I am sharing, to rewrite this whole thing! Since I have been drawn to put it out there, my reassurance is, that someone reading with an open mind and heart, with the intention of understanding and enhancing their experience, will find something of value here.

Being of service can be fun as you can see from these pictures of volunteering I "performed". Perhaps down the road I’ll share a little more about that.

Thanks to the contributions of many Earth Angels, I have had the happy opportunity to play with my shell crafts again!

If interested in this Tiny Beachy Trio, please contact me. They are $15 each or $35 for all 3 + shipping.

Sharing a dreamy gift for a friend. The The Fiery Sea Dream Catcher is available for $25 plus shipping. Please contact to order or more pics or information.

Here are a few custom pieces. Hanging ornament may be customized for a limited amount of time. Mermaid Trinket Trays are available in etsy Gifts from the Sea and Other Treasures shop now for $35 with free shipping.

Thank you for sharing your precious time with me here. Perhaps some day I’ll see you in that Paradise where it doesn’t matter what day of the week it is 💖

Sea Treasures Offered….With Appreciation

The Universe has manifested an upcoming situation which may allow me to craft some shell art. Not some vague happenstance, but a number of Earth Angels have lined things up to provide this opportunity. While I really enjoy making shell art, My Gypsea Life isn’t particularly conducive to such. Being in a place for a week or two at a time, not knowing for sure how long I’ll be there, not having space or supplies, and not being in a position to ship things all contribute to the vast majority of my creations remaining dreams in my head.

In order to make the best, most peacefully productive use of my time, I invite people to make tentative reservations for their orders. Since things are still a bit vague in the actuality of what I will be able to provide, no commitments are made yet, just intentions put forth. I’d like to get an idea of actual interest before I do the whole production of “opening shop”. I envision making Mermaid Trinket Trays customized to the extent you can pick your color scheme. They will be around $35 plus shipping. Here are examples of previous Mermaid Trinket Trays:

I also plan on fashioning unique beachy designs in 3” x 5” frames. Unfortunately, you won’t have a clue about those until I can actually create a few and post pictures.
There are a number of existing unique pieces already created which can be shipped from California.

Let me know if you are interested in any of the above works of art or your desire for a piece to be made in weeks to come.
I offer these for a number of reasons… Obviously because I love to bringing into being these one of a kind treasures filled with love and the magical energy of the sea. It also delights me knowing these will beautify your space and make you smile too. Then there is the factor of raising funds for my ongoing travels on my quest to discover The Paradise of My Dreams.

Appreciation is an ongoing theme of my shares and my life. I am grateful for the precious time I get to spend with my loving, beautiful children. This gratitude includes the wonderful happenings in their lives personally and career-wise. I am blessed with the rest of my family surrounding me with their love and support across the miles. Happily, my family has grown beyond blood and now includes more than I can keep track. I can go on and on with my thankful list regarding my health, nature’s magnificence, continuous  miracles and more.

 
But my point is to acknowledge you, who are reading this right now, and encourage you to commence, or re-kindle, your own gratitude practice. Not only does it feel good to you but that energy also blesses the people and things you are grateful for. The spiral effect then brings about more to be appreciative of. In the light of that ongoing spiral, feel the love, respect and appreciation that regularly pulses around you. Next time you gaze out to sea, perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of a shimmering mermaid tail disappearing after a quick hello and thank you!!

P.S. Forgot to share samples of previous hanging shell art!

Asking For What We Need

I have a desire, not a need, to be understood. Knowing I am not the most eloquent with human words, my writing is far from being pleasing in a purely literary sense. However, I feel that I have important messages for certain people at a specific timing I am guided to share. My hope is that you “hear” this post in the spirit of the intention with which it is delivered.

As humans, we all have needs requiring fulfillment to live a balanced, happy life. Shelter and food are basics. Closely following are feeling safe and being loved, accompanied by a sense of belonging. Some have theorized that self-actualization is a necessity once our other needs have been met.

You’ve heard references to individuals as self-made millionaires or driven people who single-handedly brought about huge accomplishments. In reality, neither of those concepts are possible in this system/society comprised of…..people. No one can make 100 sales all by themselves. There are so many others involved: buyers, the people who made the phone, stationary, car and anything else required for the sale. As you can see, the only way to function in this society, is to join other people to accomplish things which meet each other’s needs. Granted, a great percentage of desires in this materialistic world are not really needs but wants. That’s not what I am addressing here. It’s the needs for one to live a healthy, balanced, peaceful life. That being established, most people, while getting many of their wants, are not getting their needs met.

Of course, people have many ideas of "shelter"

Even focusing on the basics – food and shelter. Most people don’t actually have access to nutritious food. They have chemical, pesticide laden, genetically modified substances which make up most of the choices they have access to. While they may have a roof over their heads, they may also be sacrificing their health or sanity just to afford it. There may be air, noise and visual pollution they’ve done their best to adjust to yet still takes its toll. As far as being loved and belonging….how many people enter and stay in unhealthy relationships or groups in an attempt to fill this need? And self-actualization? Countless folks achieve goals and try to feel successful based on objectives society, friends or family have deemed worthy rather that what they themselves truly desire down deep inside. 

On the bright side, more and more of mankind are beginning to realize all this. For most, the shift is still quite slow and expressing one’s individuality still isn’t welcomed and encouraged on many fronts. People are starting to recognize their authentic needs for living a happy, healthy life. Obviously, they cannot get all their needs met by themselves in this community-based world. And whether it is a community structure many would like or not, it still is a community-based structure where people depend on others for the system to work. One of the biggest challenges to getting our needs met is simply asking. So many of us have been taught being selfish is bad as I have expounded upon previously in Family and Friends.  Again, we’ve got to “put on our own mask” before we can help others. The concern about selfishness aside, there is also the fear of rejection or a negative response. We worry about hurting people's feelings, about what they will think of us, about consequences if we aren’t on the same page. Some experience a sense of embarrassment or feeling vulnerable making requests. Perhaps we feel guilty asking for what we need when others might not have it either. First, I would encourage “considering” various aspects of a situation before asking, not “worrying”. Worry never helps anyone and harms the worrier’s health. Revisiting the realization of our own worthiness may also be in order.

Bounty from the Jungle

Yes, do weigh your options but do not let someone else’s potential response stop you from asking for what you need. Don’t give them that kind of power over your life. Also remember, no one person can fulfill all of another’s needs and it’s not really fair to expect that of anyone. It is our responsibility to tend to our own garden of our lives.

Each person’s life/garden has different needs. Keep in mind, there is no one individual to fulfill all those needs (unless you’re one of the lucky ones who has discovered their own personal genie).

Remember there are infinite possibilities for getting your needs met. Perhaps it’s time to shift a personal relationship in your life if someone isn’t respecting you as you need. Sometimes this can be worked through and other times it is a sign to move on. Are you not getting compensated in a way that honors the work you do? It may simply take an honest conversation so that all parties are understood and honored or, it may be time to move on. As you read this, you may begin noticing many ways your true needs are not being met. I don’t suggest you will be able to magically make this right over night. Instead, it is like life itself, a journey. Depending on your particular situation, you may wish to address the “loudest” need first. Or if too intimidating, try with a baby step on one of the needs you perceive as easier or “more realistic” to have met. Remember there are myriad ways and numerous people who can assist in getting your need met – not just the limited options you have considered in the past. The important thing you do is ask! Sometimes you have to start with asking yourself if you will allow the need to be met – but that again is a deservingness issue which is a topic for another time. Each effort you make toward getting what you need is like going to a store. You may have to travel to dozens of stores before finding the appropriate one, or ones, that has/have what you need.

Play with this daily and you will find you are getting more and more of your needs met. And, wonder of all wonders, the more you get your needs met, the more powerful, happy and healthy you are! And the more whole you are, the more you are capable of helping others fulfill not only their needs, but their wants too!

Oh, and on the topic of gardens, you can get your nutritional needs met better if you can grow your own food. Time, space, season and skill challenges can be overcome with a Tower Garden. If you’ve ever been curious about growing your own fruits and veggies (with much less effort than a traditional garden), please visit Tower Garden…. Your food has a shorter gestation period too – or whatever you call it for plants – with this system.

Now for my ongoing chant….Thank You! Gracias! Merci! Danke! Gratcie! Arigato! Mahalo! There are more people than I can count all around the world who support me and give me reason to express gratitude. I so appreciate the gift you are in my life and continue to swirl bright energy your way so you may enjoy your most magnificent life too!