After my Yardley workshop, I have spent 3 days in Lancaster, PA touring the beautiful Amish countryside. A very good friend of mine, Beth Bathe, has been showing me around. I have long for this visit. For a long time I have been think about what kind of living style should be most suitable to me. In my bones, I don't like money, but I want to survive and live comfortably. I read about other people's experiences and tried an experiment of off-grid living in the Texas Hill Country. However, I saw so many failures. The main stream economy has run into problems after problems. I think I am not alone looking for alternatives. These a few days, I really enjoyed the peaceful, simple, and harmonious life in Lancaster county. I have seen the Amish wisdom toward technology. The way of living of the Amish has a strong impact to me. It has worked, works now, and will work in future. I will not feel surprise if the we run into major disasters, the only people who survive will be the Amish.
I had a wonderful time with you this week, first your wonderful workshop at Yardley and then having you as our guest in Lancaster! I enjoyed being your tour guide, talking about art and the Amish way of life, you truly are an amazing artist who I am honored to have as a friend...I will be posting my paintings from your workshop on my blog in the coming days, I learned so much!
ReplyDeleteQiang, I'm so glad to know that you were able to find time to tour this part of the country. Your photo brings back memories for me. All the best to you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work, Qiang, as always!
ReplyDeleteFor an alternative view on money read Francisco d'Anconia's speech from Ayn Rand's novel, _Atlas Shrugged_:
http://capitalismmagazine.com/2002/08/franciscos-money-speech/
Better yet, read the novel.
I share your sentiment about living a quieter more peaceful life. The big city can be stressful; the rural countryside tugs at me. But how?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts, your drawings, and your honest thoughtful meanderings.
The Bible states that: “…the love of money is the root of all evil…” (1 Timothy 6:10) and the excerpt from Ayn Rand’s book gets to that eventually. However, her contradictory statement that “The lovers of money are willing to work for it. They know they are able to deserve it.” flies in the face of reason and history. We know that “the love of money” has led to all manner of grotesque abuses of the environment, animals, people and nations to gain control of the all-mighty dollar. Work doesn’t have anything to do with it in this universe and I believe that’s what the lament in this post re. the Amish is about. I could be wrong though. Peace.
ReplyDeleteHere's a podcast (not long) by Dr. Ellen Kenner, an interview with Dr. Tara Smith, professor of philosophy at UT Austin, on money and happiness. Thought you and others might enjoy and appreciate the discussion:
ReplyDeletehttps://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/7dec13d-rational-basis-r-money/id76758772?i=213212712&mt=2