limitations are a blessing

Good afternoon,

Since I live in a house where poultry look in my windows too, I have to share this quotation I read about an artist:

“Who was the wisest person I ever met in my entire life? … It was the graphic artist Saul Steinberg, who like everybody else I now, is dead now. I could ask him anything, and six seconds would pass, and then he would give me a perfect answer, gruffly, almost a growl. He was born in Romania, in a house where, according to him, “the geese looked in the windows.” …Saul said, “There are two sorts of artists, one not being in the least superior to the other. But one responds to the history of his or her art so far, and the other responds to life itself….what you respond to in any work of art is the artist’s struggle against his or her limitations.” --Kurt Vonnegut, Man Without a Country, p. 135

So, the visual of the geese looking in the windows, and the humans looking back, made me chuckle, but this section really moved me for another reason.

It made me think about my limitations, as a person and as a manager at Wholesome Harvest. Normally I wrestle with my personal limitations, and this passage made me realize how they are a gift that refines us and teaches us to improvise, survive, and build capacity from where we are today. So as I work my piece of art-- my life and my life work at Wholesome Harvest, I hope I can "get over" the shortages and make art with what I do have.

Then I thought about how this is true for all people: the organic consumers are struggling with how to buy the safest, best food for their families on limited budgets with limited information, while the organic farmers have grand plans and ideals for improving their farms but have limited funds and time to pursue their dreams.

I am glad we are part of the same masterpiece in progress!