This week Awesome Stories brings you Nature House, self-care, cultivating awe, and Street Books.
Nature House
This is an amazing story of a family that decided to build their own geodesic home in Northern Norway. What makes it so interesting is how they built a three-story cob home covered by a geodesic dome to shelter them from the extreme weather and grow food for most of the year despite living in the Artic Circle! In the process of building the home, living remotely and mostly self-reliant, they have re-invented themselves and created a life and home they love. Read the Inhabit article to see their beautiful home.
Self-Care for Sensitive People
Own the word “sensitive”; let it become your field of expertise and honor what you feel. – Richard Silvia
These are great reminders from fellow blogger Richard Silvia. As a sensitive person, I’ve had to learn self-care the hard way and not always understanding why I can be drained and overwhelmed in crowds. Richard calls nature the ultimate Rx and I agree. Additionally, he suggests intentions, creativity, connection and rest to recharge so that we can be our best and offer our gifts to the world. Thanks Richard.
Street Books
We are committed to providing good literature and conversations for those who are pushed to the margins. ~ Laura Moulton
Street Books is a wonderful project started by Laura Moulton to bring books to people living on the streets or at the margins of life in Portland, Oregon. I love her compassion in using books as a way to help us connect and serve street people differently. She brings the books to them on a bike following a set schedule so people know when they can check out or return a book. People are allowed to sign out any books they want on an honor system. This is one of the many aspects of her approach that brings dignity and compassion to people living on the streets. Kudos Laura!
Cultivating Awe
Homaira Kabir talks about the need to cultivate awe in the workplace. Typically, most workplaces focus on efficiency, profitability and other production oriented measures. Most of us have felt awe, the sense of wonder at a world so vast and mysterious. Homaira describes it as a mix of both fear and excitement. A good leader or mentor can help us hold these contrasting energies to open us to new possibilities. She suggests they encourage employees to explore mindfulness, art, nature, purpose and other more altruistic approaches to work. The paradox is that awe can’t be created at will. At best we can cultivate an openness or way of being that allows room for awe in our lives and work. What do you think? I’m all for awe, but not convinced that it can be cultivated, especially at work.
May your week be touched by compassion, self-care, and awe.
That street books idea is remarkable! As is the house in Norway!
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Thanks Annette. I would enjoy delivering books on a bike and connecting with people. Maybe a new career for me! 🙂
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Awesome once again, Brad! The story of the geodesic dome reminded me of Buckminster’s suggestion that large cities be covered completely in an air-conditioned dome, as it could provide a pleasant environment for the whole city at less cost than conditioning each individual building. Ha! I’m never tried to do the math on that one, but he was such a radical thinker! That dome and house look amazing–like a perfect marriage of efficiency and sensibility.
As to awe, I think maybe that is like Beginner’s Mind? Seeing things anew, free of our past interpretations and perceptions, can bring this awe to the surface naturally I think…
Thanks for another great batch of inspiration!
Peace
Michael
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That sounds like a great idea to condition large spaces instead of individually! Though I’m not sure I would want to always be in a conditioned space. Great perspective on awe. Thanks Michael. To beginner’s mind…
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Great post Brad. Keep it up, we are enjoying.
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Thanks Tom & Audrey.
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The house under the dome is interesting. I would be afraid if one of those panes would break if they do. The streetbook library is awesome. In our community they are cropping up. The only difference is the book shelf has glass doors and a roof to keep out the elements. It is an outreach to the community who wants to read.
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Thanks Joseph. I’m fascinated by the dome home. We have those free libraries popping up here too, but I really like the mobile book delivery via bike and personal connections.
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Yes that personal connection is what we really need more than ever in our societies.
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Agreed.
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This house is amazing! Inspiring how people find new solutions, new ways of living. Beautiful.
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Thanks for choosing to visit my blog! I’m glad you found inspiration in the dome home story. to choosing love, Brad
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Wow what a great collection this week Brad! 🙂 ❤
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Thanks Natalie. I hope you have an inspired week. ❤
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Thanks! You too Brad‼️❌⭕️
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🙂
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Fantastic post – great content and concepts, and what leaped out from the page at me instantly was the phrase: Self-Care for Sensitive People. What a great way to approach living – I’ve never thought of myself in those terms, but I do live within those terms. Your choice of subsequent quote:
Own the word “sensitive”; let it become your field of expertise and honor what you feel. – Richard Silvia,
was delicious. I lingered long and absorbed much in this. Peace, Harlon
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I’m glad Richard’s words could soothe you Harlon as they did for me. I’ve known I’m sensitive for many years, but not really owned it like he’s suggesting. To better self-care & peace…
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Thanks again for sharing Brad. As an introvert with a profound need to stay rooted in nature, particularly after prolonged periods in captivity, “Recharging the Empath” resonated.
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You’re welcome Gabe. I like your cute reference to captivity and surprised to hear that you’re an introvert. Your writing has such an upbeat, outgoing feel to it. Maybe because you recharge in nature.
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Loved your first story, I have not as yet visited the others Brad.. But I see these dome house structures being built in the future.. Simply because I feel that our weather patterns and winds will start to increase in speed.. So our normal square will not stand the pressure of wind..
It serves dual purposes.. as it acts as insulation in winter.. a green house and shield..
Many thanks for finding these gems..
Love to you and have a great Sunday.. 🙂
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Interesting perspective that the dome could be a better home for climate changes, especially with the growing capacity. Thanks Sue. 🙂
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I once read somewhere long ago that we would Have to build homes like this because of the wind velocity increasing.. And when you think how these super storms now materialize..
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Wonderful stories this week Brad, thanks for sharing them. The Street Books outreach is such a great idea. I’ve been wanting to put out a Free Little Library in my yard. Have you heard of them? https://littlefreelibrary.org/
Also love the Nature House in Norway – so cool!
Hope you have a wonderful week ahead! 🙂
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Yes Julie! We have lots of the LFL in our town (and the women who started the similar Little Free Pantry!, but that’s another story! 🙂 I really love the Street Book idea too. To inspired weeks with hugs!
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Love the street books idea too Brad. Connecting with each other no matter how it’s done, will always help towards healing. Great ideas. 😀
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Agreed Karen. More soulful connecting is what we really want and need in our endless searches.
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I love the street books concept…also found the Norway self sustainable home fascinating….and beautiful!!
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Thanks Kirt. I’d love to experience both of these ideas in person or maybe do them myself. 🙂
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Wow, what an amazing house that is! And any project to give out books seems like a good one to me. As for creating awe in the workplace, I think it’s a nice idea, but I’m not sure it would work in practice.
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Thanks Andrea. I’m with you on the awe. I’d love to see it, but doubtful many workplaces would encourage it, at least under current priorities for profit.
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The house looks amazing! I like the idea of having nature house like this. The design reminds me of Rotterdam’s Solar-Powered Floating Pavilion. The pavilions are housing project – which hopefully will be the housing future in Rotterdam 🙂
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Thanks Indah. That housing project in Rotterdam sounds very interesting too! 🙂
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I love the street books video – really love it. There’s something about trust, genuine trust with an object both perceive to be precious, that is remarkably nourishing and healing when it comes to broken self-worth. This is about so much more than books. It’s about very directly challenging dangerous assumptions, and outwardly demonstrating, to those involved and any witnesses, that those assumptions are profoundly untrue. Fantastically awesome story collection my friend!!! Blessings, Harula xxx
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Agreed Harula. Street Books is bout breaking down walls to connect and humanize those who might be overlooked. Thanks for caring!
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Great stories, Brad. The Street Books is a wonderful project. And I agree with you that cultivating awe in the workplace has its limits. In leading organizational change for many years I would have loved to be able to cultivate awe in those workplaces….not an easy task 🙂
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Thanks Helen. I’d love to hear more about the kinds of organizational change you worked on. In the 80s I was fascinated by the early OD ideas to start valuing people as an asset. Awe would be an awesome value to inject into the mix!
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LOVE all these!! Had to show husby the geodesic dome article. 🙂 And mindfulness at work – YES!! I came across an article about using mindfulness with children and I DEFINITELY want to start incorporating that with them. 🙂
Hope you’re well. I’m a little behind in commenting and posting this week: I just have had a whirlwind week – but I’m catching up. Thank you for always sharing these! Have a wonderful day!
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Thanks for taking the time to connect and kudos on your adventure with the march. You definitely walk the talk Cynthia. And thanks for sharing and implementing the ideas here. Blessings, Brad
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I never cease to be amazed and inspired by the people of Norway. I especially love the meaning of this family’s last name, Heart Followers. The love and passion in their hearts shine through both their physical creation and their mental attitudes, perseverance, and ingenuity. Thanks for sharing, Brad – have an “awesome” week!
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Agreed Dave. I love their examples of living their values, caring and creativity! blessings to you and yours…
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