Note: this is currently in need of updating, it's my immatured wonderings about things from a sort of "first principles" starting point, that others have thought about more and have elucidated complex theoretical, economic, political, systemic thinkings about interconnected-related-associated-overlapping things that I am still learning about through reading and discussions. But here's where I had got to some years back anyway, a more deeply thought out version could take forever and there are many things to do! The realities of living in the real world and not in a theoretical ideal!
Please ask me about any bits that are inconsistent or insensible, or that need expansion or deepening...
So with that...
"I willingly give what I have to share."
So the simple version is... There is no limit to accessing my services. [Aside from the important fact that I am not infinite. Much as it might be interesting to imagine the possibilities for this of multiverses, it's not currently within my experience to be infinite.]
I want to keep my services accessible to all. I want to share what I have to give. This is important. Please feel free to accept, even if you feel you have blocks to this, please feel free to get in touch to discuss. And to keep the balance, I will also say that I am also happily willing to receive whatever it is that others may have in abundance to share with me, with no expectation. I open myself to the flow of giving and receiving, offering what I have to share and allowing myself to gratefully receive what I need, and to gratefully receive whatever it is that others have in abundance to share. And isn't gratitude and appreciation just one of the greatest gifts of all.
You will be able to choose from the range of my services with two options available, a suggested rate option, and also a flexible access rate, which can include, as agreed by us, a concession price within your means, a barter or swap of your goods or services, or even a pay it forward agreement, whatever is possible and reasonable for you at this time.
"I allow myself to gratefully receive whatever I need."
I know first hand the benefit of having a helper or two along the way of this journey of life and healing, and I also know that sometimes when you need help the most, it can be just the time when it is the hardest to get it happening, for any number of reasons. I have also on multiple occasions, been the lucky recipient of a helping hand willingly offered, given and shared, just in those hardest and darkest moments of my own journey. And I wish to pass this forward. Perhaps if this resonates for you, perhaps if you feel you are in just such a moment, you might like to say the words "I allow myself to receive whatever I need," and choose to accept what I willingly give. If you find that hard, know that by doing this, you will move to a future where you too will have an abundance that you will one day be able to share. But let yourself be where you are right now, and accept help in the moments that you need it without thought of past or future. Allow the flow of giving and receiving to move through your life with greater ease by accepting what is willingly offered.
So, again, I say, there is no limit to accessing my services. I want to keep my services accessible to all. Please feel free to choose the flexible access rate in my scheduling page here:
https://LivingLightlyWithLove.as.me/ (contact me via contacts on contact page rather than using booking link)
Book an appointment for healing work with me here: https://LivingLightlyWithLove.as.me/ (contact me via contacts on contact page rather than using booking link, it's not working)
"I allow myself to gratefully receive whatever I need."
I know first hand the benefit of having a helper or two along the way of this journey of life and healing, and I also know that sometimes when you need help the most, it can be just the time when it is the hardest to get it happening, for any number of reasons. I have also on multiple occasions, been the lucky recipient of a helping hand willingly offered, given and shared, just in those hardest and darkest moments of my own journey. And I wish to pass this forward. Perhaps if this resonates for you, perhaps if you feel you are in just such a moment, you might like to say the words "I allow myself to receive whatever I need," and choose to accept what I willingly give. If you find that hard, know that by doing this, you will move to a future where you too will have an abundance that you will one day be able to share. But let yourself be where you are right now, and accept help in the moments that you need it without thought of past or future. Allow the flow of giving and receiving to move through your life with greater ease by accepting what is willingly offered.
So, again, I say, there is no limit to accessing my services. I want to keep my services accessible to all. Please feel free to choose the flexible access rate in my scheduling page here:
https://LivingLightlyWithLove.as.me/ (contact me via contacts on contact page rather than using booking link)
And my request to the Universe, to keep the flow and the balance. I also have a family to support, and we have to eat, and haven't yet got our garden to the point where it provides all our needs, and we have other needs to sustain also. So, I am also happy to receive what others have available to willingly share with me, in return for my services. If you are someone with an abundance, know that I will most gratefully receive from you in exchange for my services, and know also that in doing so you are supporting me also to share my services with all, regardless of each person's current state of abundance.
Further to that, I envision a future that includes a different kind of economics, based on giving, sharing, fairness, generosity, compassion, caring and heart. This is my way of creating a little bit of that vision while acknowledging the world that we currently inhabit is still on its way there and that there is still a need for at least a basic level of monetary income for most people to ensure all needs are met.
So to end the "simple version", here's the link again to hopefully inspire you to choose to make an appointment with me, as I would dearly love to have the chance to work with you and support you in your journey of life and healing. Feel free to choose the suggested rate if that suits you, but feel equally free to choose the flexible access rate and to know that means a rate that is accessible for you, whatever that may be.
Book an appointment here: https://LivingLightlyWithLove.as.me/
And in case that wasn't long enough, and, because, as one reader noted before this edit and addition (when I am ironically aiming for a shorter version), I am "funny", and because I am who I am and happy to be it and share it, this is the long version, for anyone who cares to read it.
I am grateful for always having the means to easily access all that I need to live. In my life I have received much beyond basic survival needs, and I have had many opportunities and experiences that go beyond this as well. Sometimes this is because I have worked hard for it in a variety of different ways, and sometimes this is also because of the kindness and generosity of my family, friends, and even people I don't know very well and sometimes even random strangers I just met. It is also because I have been lucky to grow up in a rich country where there are plenty of opportunities for employment, and where there are public support systems in place that provide for many things, such as subsidised health care, education, and student and unemployment benefits. I feel very grateful for all this, it is not to be taken for granted.
So, in my life, I have much that I can share, materially and otherwise, and I offer it here for sharing.
I have found that there is great joy and freedom in allowing the free flow of giving and receiving without expectation, of unconditional sharing; that giving what I can and accepting what others choose to give me alike, both bring a feeling of caring, warmth, connection and community.
In the past, I have had a lot of fear, anxiety and stress around money and around feeling a lack. It is my belief that our current dominant global economic system has many flaws that lead to it creating this kind of fear, anxiety and stress for many people, and that it can lead to people feeling stuck in negative cycles and situations without being able to see a way to escape the cycles and improve their situation.
I have also found that there are many, more positive, alternatives out there, based around sharing, giving, swapping… These ways have existed in many societies for a very long time, and most people now will practise this in some form, if only among family and friends; but these models have become largely overshadowed and overpowered by the looming model of rampant consumerism, the push for continual "economic growth" at any cost, and other negative factors of the current system, that all encourage us to want more and more beyond our means, leading to a sense of lack, and fear of scarcity, and that artificially affect the price of things in ways that don't reflect their true costs or values. This has been especially true in Western societies for quite some time now, and it has now spread to almost everywhere in the world. But there are also now growing movements that are turning this around and returning more and more to the old models, or reinventing new models, of sharing, giving and swapping. New ideas of economy, gift economies and networks of sharing are all growing in our collective awareness. Many people have written much about this, and I will add some links at a later stage for those interested in reading more.
I have also found that there are many, more positive, alternatives out there, based around sharing, giving, swapping… These ways have existed in many societies for a very long time, and most people now will practise this in some form, if only among family and friends; but these models have become largely overshadowed and overpowered by the looming model of rampant consumerism, the push for continual "economic growth" at any cost, and other negative factors of the current system, that all encourage us to want more and more beyond our means, leading to a sense of lack, and fear of scarcity, and that artificially affect the price of things in ways that don't reflect their true costs or values. This has been especially true in Western societies for quite some time now, and it has now spread to almost everywhere in the world. But there are also now growing movements that are turning this around and returning more and more to the old models, or reinventing new models, of sharing, giving and swapping. New ideas of economy, gift economies and networks of sharing are all growing in our collective awareness. Many people have written much about this, and I will add some links at a later stage for those interested in reading more.
For now, I will explain how all this relates to me, and what I offer here. As I said in the beginning, I have always had the means to access all that I need to live. I choose to trust that this will always be the case and take a leap into living in a new model as much as I can, as I strongly believe that this is an important part of our way forward together. I trust that I can offer what I have to give, freely without expectation, and that others will do likewise, so that I will always be able to have access what I need.
For me, the essence of this model is about sharing, about opening up a free flow of giving and receiving. It is also about freedom, and with freedom, the partner of freedom - responsibility. We can live freely and receive what we need, as long as we also take the responsibility to contribute what we can, to do what we need to do to take care of ourselves, to take care of others and to take care of our surroundings, the environment, and the Earth. It is about finding the balance of enough. Between the lack of scarcity, and the greed of taking too much, lies sufficiency, and this is where we should aim to be. Trusting that we will always have what we need if we always share what we have.
For me, the essence of this model is about sharing, about opening up a free flow of giving and receiving. It is also about freedom, and with freedom, the partner of freedom - responsibility. We can live freely and receive what we need, as long as we also take the responsibility to contribute what we can, to do what we need to do to take care of ourselves, to take care of others and to take care of our surroundings, the environment, and the Earth. It is about finding the balance of enough. Between the lack of scarcity, and the greed of taking too much, lies sufficiency, and this is where we should aim to be. Trusting that we will always have what we need if we always share what we have.
So, this website is about what I have to offer. My writing, my art is all here, freely given for you to enjoy, and perhaps find something that might inspire you, something you might learn from, or something to help you on your way. I also freely offer my healing work, learning experiences, facilitation of sacred circles and rituals, the creations of my crafts, or other ways I can contribute to you. So please ask, if there's something I can give to or do for you, and give me the chance to freely and joyfully give.
So you might still be thinking now "At what cost?" "What do I need to pay?". Our society has conditioned us to think this way. But I mean it when I say I offer freely what I have to give. There is no expectation of a direct exchange that accompanies my offer of giving.
That being said, another important element here is that if there is something I need, then I will also ask for that. I may ask someone who I am also giving to, or I may ask someone else. The key here is that there is no expectation, no conditions, either way. If I am asked to give a workshop somewhere, I will happily give it if I can, but if I need a place to stay near the workshop venue, then I will ask for that. I might ask a workshop participant if I can stay with them, or I might ask someone else, on a network for sharing accommodation such as Couchsurfing or Hospitality Club. If no one else can provide this for me, then if I can I will provide them for myself, and still give the workshop. If I have money I could pay for a hostel bed, or if I could bring a tent and access a campsite I would do that. If I don't have these options available for myself, I will give the workshop another time if I can arrange something at another time.
And of course I am also always happy to give others the opportunity to freely and joyfully give, and will gratefully accept gifts that are given, from those who have plenty to spare. More on that below.
It may seem complicated in some ways, rather than a direct exchange of a fee for a service or an item, but it is simple in another way. I offer what I have to give, and I ask for what I need and trust that I will receive, and that the flow of giving and receiving will be in balance. There is no expectation for a direct exchange, if I give to you, I don't expect you to give to me, unless you freely can. I trust that I will receive from some source.
Obviously I can only give what I have available to give, and I am not unlimited, so, for example, if 500 people asked me to make them a hat right at this moment, I might have to say no to at least a few of them, just because it wouldn't physically be possible for me to do this. On the other hand, if at that same time someone offered for me to come and stay with them, to feed me and provide for my needs, then perhaps I could sit down and get started on working on making 500 hats, in between things such as making sure I have enough exercise to keep myself fit and healthy (500 hats would be a lot of sitting), doing whatever else I might need to do (like perhaps help my kind benefactor with some cooking, cleaning, gardening, or a healing, or whatever else they might need), and spending some time in quiet stillness (though crochet is fairly meditative, so that might do), some time outside in nature (though I could crochet in a forest quite happily), some time with family and friends (perhaps crocheting together for some of it since some of my friends are also happy crafters) and some time for playing music (ukulele playing not being quite as compatible with crochet), or other creative expression, to make sure I am looking after the needs of my soul. Or if I wasn't lucky enough to find such a kind benefactor, since we aren't quite in utopia just yet, I might need to do some stuff to take care of my needs first, like spend time in a garden growing some vegetables to eat, or if I wasn't at that time in a situation where I could grow my food, I might need to spend some time in some form of paid employment to pay for some food, or rent, or so on… I would also probably take into consideration things like whether this would be just one more hat for someone's collection, just so that all possible colour combinations can be accounted for (though I can appreciate this, as a crafter and a fan of creative expression in clothing, and the owner of probably too many hats - many of which I've made myself of course, and most of the rest of which came from op shops or market stalls…), or if this would be the sole hat for a bald headed man heading into a north Norwegian winter in a home without heating (though I'm not sure how he might have got through summer or at least autumn without a hat!). So obviously, I might prioritise our Norwegian friend's hat over even some of my own extra bits and pieces, and spend time with my non crocheting friends another week if they didn't want to sit and watch me crochet, for example… But while the last required colour combination for completing the colour collection might fall a little further down the list of priorities, if I had some spare time left after doing what I need to do, and making all the hats for the 499 bald Norwegian men, then I could still be quite happy to fulfil the request… :-) Or perhaps I could hold a workshop for 500 people to make a hat each for giving away to the Norwegian cause. And luckily I currently have an impressive stash of yarn at home in a range of colours, that potentially could even possibly make 500 hats, but if I happened to run out before all 500 were made, I could comb the op shops for cheap yarn paid for with busking money, or ask for donations from other yarn stashes, for the sake of the bald Norwegians, and the colour collection.
That being said, another important element here is that if there is something I need, then I will also ask for that. I may ask someone who I am also giving to, or I may ask someone else. The key here is that there is no expectation, no conditions, either way. If I am asked to give a workshop somewhere, I will happily give it if I can, but if I need a place to stay near the workshop venue, then I will ask for that. I might ask a workshop participant if I can stay with them, or I might ask someone else, on a network for sharing accommodation such as Couchsurfing or Hospitality Club. If no one else can provide this for me, then if I can I will provide them for myself, and still give the workshop. If I have money I could pay for a hostel bed, or if I could bring a tent and access a campsite I would do that. If I don't have these options available for myself, I will give the workshop another time if I can arrange something at another time.
And of course I am also always happy to give others the opportunity to freely and joyfully give, and will gratefully accept gifts that are given, from those who have plenty to spare. More on that below.
It may seem complicated in some ways, rather than a direct exchange of a fee for a service or an item, but it is simple in another way. I offer what I have to give, and I ask for what I need and trust that I will receive, and that the flow of giving and receiving will be in balance. There is no expectation for a direct exchange, if I give to you, I don't expect you to give to me, unless you freely can. I trust that I will receive from some source.
Obviously I can only give what I have available to give, and I am not unlimited, so, for example, if 500 people asked me to make them a hat right at this moment, I might have to say no to at least a few of them, just because it wouldn't physically be possible for me to do this. On the other hand, if at that same time someone offered for me to come and stay with them, to feed me and provide for my needs, then perhaps I could sit down and get started on working on making 500 hats, in between things such as making sure I have enough exercise to keep myself fit and healthy (500 hats would be a lot of sitting), doing whatever else I might need to do (like perhaps help my kind benefactor with some cooking, cleaning, gardening, or a healing, or whatever else they might need), and spending some time in quiet stillness (though crochet is fairly meditative, so that might do), some time outside in nature (though I could crochet in a forest quite happily), some time with family and friends (perhaps crocheting together for some of it since some of my friends are also happy crafters) and some time for playing music (ukulele playing not being quite as compatible with crochet), or other creative expression, to make sure I am looking after the needs of my soul. Or if I wasn't lucky enough to find such a kind benefactor, since we aren't quite in utopia just yet, I might need to do some stuff to take care of my needs first, like spend time in a garden growing some vegetables to eat, or if I wasn't at that time in a situation where I could grow my food, I might need to spend some time in some form of paid employment to pay for some food, or rent, or so on… I would also probably take into consideration things like whether this would be just one more hat for someone's collection, just so that all possible colour combinations can be accounted for (though I can appreciate this, as a crafter and a fan of creative expression in clothing, and the owner of probably too many hats - many of which I've made myself of course, and most of the rest of which came from op shops or market stalls…), or if this would be the sole hat for a bald headed man heading into a north Norwegian winter in a home without heating (though I'm not sure how he might have got through summer or at least autumn without a hat!). So obviously, I might prioritise our Norwegian friend's hat over even some of my own extra bits and pieces, and spend time with my non crocheting friends another week if they didn't want to sit and watch me crochet, for example… But while the last required colour combination for completing the colour collection might fall a little further down the list of priorities, if I had some spare time left after doing what I need to do, and making all the hats for the 499 bald Norwegian men, then I could still be quite happy to fulfil the request… :-) Or perhaps I could hold a workshop for 500 people to make a hat each for giving away to the Norwegian cause. And luckily I currently have an impressive stash of yarn at home in a range of colours, that potentially could even possibly make 500 hats, but if I happened to run out before all 500 were made, I could comb the op shops for cheap yarn paid for with busking money, or ask for donations from other yarn stashes, for the sake of the bald Norwegians, and the colour collection.
And so as I mentioned, I am also happy to accept gifts freely given from those with plenty. So if you have something you would like to give me, because my writing has inspired or helped you, because you have enjoyed my art, because you learned a lot at a workshop I gave or had a profound experience at a circle I facilitated, because you loved your new hat, because you were happy I darned your favourite sock, because I helped you in your garden or helped build your house, or even just because, then of course I will be most happy to gratefully accept. (I've been working on allowing myself to receive!) Money of course is actually handy in our current society set up and enables the purchase of needs such as food and clothing (generally second hand clothes for me!), paying for additional extras like electricity to charge my computer, phone, electric bicycle battery, and also luxuries like an indulgent (hopefully fair trade and local grown) coffee in a cafe or some naughty (local made if possible!) chocolate, a bus ticket to go visit someone or to go to the beach on a hot day for a swim, or a ticket to see a concert or a movie, or some more op shop yarn in case I'm missing a colour required to complete the combination collection…
I would also gratefully accept things other than money gladly offered, and in many cases I might prefer these if they were more readily available. Some home grown vegetables or herbs would be a delight, some extra clothing that you don't need that might fit me and suit me might be appreciated at the right moment, I would never say no to a massage or a home cooked vegetarian meal… You might like your new hat so much you are inspired to learn to crochet (I could teach you!) and you might decide you'd like to complete my own colour collection of hats in return! Or you might like to give me some yarn you've decided you're not likely to get around to using since you last tried crochet fifteen years ago and actually hate it (though I could try teaching you to knit first, in case you like that better)...
I would also gratefully accept things other than money gladly offered, and in many cases I might prefer these if they were more readily available. Some home grown vegetables or herbs would be a delight, some extra clothing that you don't need that might fit me and suit me might be appreciated at the right moment, I would never say no to a massage or a home cooked vegetarian meal… You might like your new hat so much you are inspired to learn to crochet (I could teach you!) and you might decide you'd like to complete my own colour collection of hats in return! Or you might like to give me some yarn you've decided you're not likely to get around to using since you last tried crochet fifteen years ago and actually hate it (though I could try teaching you to knit first, in case you like that better)...
Or, and here's the really fun part, I am also happy for you to give to someone else, if you feel so inspired by my giving to you. If I don't need that lovely jacket you are offering because you were just given a replacement that you like better by your sister because I also already have a good jacket, well perhaps there might be someone out there on the street who might really appreciate it. (Or we could send it to the Norwegian guy along with his hat.) Maybe you have a friend who's really stressed and could do with a massage more than I could. Or you might know a single mum or dad who could really benefit from some of your home grown veggies to feed their kid some good nutritious organic food. So share the joy of giving and tell me about it too, because it would make me feel happy as well. It's all about what goes around comes around.
And if, at the moment, you don't have plenty, if you don't have a job because your last job almost destroyed you with unreasonable demands and stress, or you've been struggling to recover from a string of injuries, or you split with your partner and lost your home, or all of that at once, and you could really just do with a bit of healing, well I'll tell you, I've been there, and I was offered healing sessions for no charge at all. And I would love the chance to give that wonderful gift that I was given to someone else out there. Even if you're just having a tough week and don't have a lot of energy for the spirit of giving right at the moment, then consider that not a worry to cross your mind. Nothing is expected. So please feel free to ask, and if there's some way that I can help you, you will receive.
And if, later on, things improve, and you find yourself in a place of abundance, you can always pass on that abundance, in memory of what you received when you needed it, or just anyway, and give to someone, someone who needs it, something you have to freely and joyfully give.
There is one thing that I ask though, that anyone can afford, no matter what. And that is that if I spend my time to do something for you, or if I give you something, that has taken time and resources in the making (mine or someone else's), then I ask that you value it. It's sometimes the case that if people are given something freely, that they don't appreciate the value of it. So I ask that if I give you an item, then please use it, or pass it on to someone who will if you won't, don't just throw it aside. If I give you healing, I ask for a commitment from you to have a desire to be well, and to give your permission to receive the healing, so that the healing can help you, and, when you find that you can, to keep taking whatever steps forward that you can, towards healing yourself as well, as healing will always ultimately come from within.
And if, later on, things improve, and you find yourself in a place of abundance, you can always pass on that abundance, in memory of what you received when you needed it, or just anyway, and give to someone, someone who needs it, something you have to freely and joyfully give.
There is one thing that I ask though, that anyone can afford, no matter what. And that is that if I spend my time to do something for you, or if I give you something, that has taken time and resources in the making (mine or someone else's), then I ask that you value it. It's sometimes the case that if people are given something freely, that they don't appreciate the value of it. So I ask that if I give you an item, then please use it, or pass it on to someone who will if you won't, don't just throw it aside. If I give you healing, I ask for a commitment from you to have a desire to be well, and to give your permission to receive the healing, so that the healing can help you, and, when you find that you can, to keep taking whatever steps forward that you can, towards healing yourself as well, as healing will always ultimately come from within.
So please, ask for what you would like to receive, so that I may freely share, in the spirit of care.
You are funny
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