Act Eight
“Life Denotes a
Function”
-Dewey p.9
Scene One: Returning to the red armchair, sun setting outside
Voice over:
“Just because I cannot publish my ragged results in a professional journal doesn't lessen their value to me.”
- Coleman p.284 (New Organic Grower)
Narrator:
During the course of this semester, between June 6th and now, I have taken great strides in my achievements. First and foremost on that list is having taken control of not only my continuing education, but also my life goals.
Yes, I've been given a lot of breaks and had a lot of help from friends and family. Previously, I would have skirted such an issue, somehow feeling less successful because of all the assistance. Now, I have come to grips with my good fortune and no longer curse it as though it somehow lessens my accomplishments.
Many people have made sacrifices and investments in my favor, and at the top of that list is none other than my father. Without his grace, assistance and assets (such as land, tools and wisdom) I never would have accomplished any of this. I am in debt to not only him, but everyone who came out to help build(or take a break), to offer insight and experience, or who worked the system on my behalf. Rather than being ashamed of all assistance I have gotten, I have chosen to embrace it. The more I can make use of the good will of those around me, the sooner I will be in such a position as to repay such kindness in a variety of ways.
So far this semester I have built a house that sheds (most) water and a greenhouse with which I may start a home-based business. I have also established a profitable part-time landscaping business and retained a handful of loyal customers while holding down a forty-hour a week internship. I rebuilt the engine and transmission of an antique car and hosted another successful *ZakkFest* for approximately 12 bands and 400 of my closest friends. I have taken on the responsibility of managing a small flock of chickens as well as expanding to a secondary flock (which entailed the construction of another coup). I took a trip to Sweden and, while visiting family, was able to tour many farms including both a conventional and an ecological dairy farm, a bed and breakfast/sheep farm, two horse stables and one small-scale beef production. But most importantly, I have planned for the future.
And though not everything I have done would mean much to a publisher, it means everything to me. I have made a conscious decision to start the preparations for my own personal legacy. I have seen the omens and have followed the path indicated by my present circumstances. And though the world may seem chaotic and impartial to my dreams when it comes to creating a personal legacy, “all the universe conspires in helping [me] to achieve it” (Coelho).