Being kind is not the same as being considerate. Neither is being generous. Kindness without consideration can be infuriating or embarrassing for the recipient. It may even be both. Our kindness and generosity may inspire us to unwanted, inappropriate, uneven or even humiliating gifts...
Generosity and kindness tempered by consideration may understand, for example, that while you want to buy your loved one a car, you A) may rob them of their sense of ownership from saving for and choosing the car, and B) may purchase a car that's not what they wanted or not 'fit for purpose' but which they will feel obliged to put up with to save your feelings.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Make and mend
Today I repaired two fitted sheets. The elastic had lost it's spring. I bought some new elastic, and sat down for aBout an hour at the machine. Hey presto, two sheets as good as new.
As we like 100% cotton, with a high thread count, this is a considerable saving.
Before you gain a false impression of my domestic economy, I also have a couple of items at the Magic Tailor for repair. One is a jacket of Mr OS that needs relining. Although I am technically capable of doing relining myself, I didn't choose to do so.
I'd rather make a jacket from scratch than reline one. Yet I don't think I'd make a sheet from scratch.
It comes down to a time/benefit ratio. The sheet repair was was simple, and quick and I was confident I'd do a good job. The jacket repair was slow and complex and I wasn't sure I'd get a professional quality finish.
I like the idea of make and mend, just as long as I don't have to do it all 'in house'. There is a place for outsourcing.
As we like 100% cotton, with a high thread count, this is a considerable saving.
Before you gain a false impression of my domestic economy, I also have a couple of items at the Magic Tailor for repair. One is a jacket of Mr OS that needs relining. Although I am technically capable of doing relining myself, I didn't choose to do so.
I'd rather make a jacket from scratch than reline one. Yet I don't think I'd make a sheet from scratch.
It comes down to a time/benefit ratio. The sheet repair was was simple, and quick and I was confident I'd do a good job. The jacket repair was slow and complex and I wasn't sure I'd get a professional quality finish.
I like the idea of make and mend, just as long as I don't have to do it all 'in house'. There is a place for outsourcing.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Slip sliding away
Another week has got away from me. Time's wingéd chariot is not so much hurrying near as hurrying away. My to-do list has gone critical.
A good habit is a terrible thing to break. A blog, which is unpaid work - however enjoyable - suffers when Real Life ™ intervenes.
During the day, while working on other things, I have many profound and beautiful thoughts I'd like to share with you. Before I can write them down I'm distracted by something (else). The less I write, the less easy the thoughts are to capture and pin down.
I console myself with the old adage: don't speak unless you can improve the silence.
And I promise I won't be reduced to telling you what I had for breakfast, merely to have something to post about.
A good habit is a terrible thing to break. A blog, which is unpaid work - however enjoyable - suffers when Real Life ™ intervenes.
During the day, while working on other things, I have many profound and beautiful thoughts I'd like to share with you. Before I can write them down I'm distracted by something (else). The less I write, the less easy the thoughts are to capture and pin down.
I console myself with the old adage: don't speak unless you can improve the silence.
And I promise I won't be reduced to telling you what I had for breakfast, merely to have something to post about.
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