Impressions: The Ever Continuing Trials of Vocation vs. Income vs. Humanly Duty

Fall is for the artist and the art lovers, I've decided :}
So, pretty much for everyone.

I wish I had more pictures right now,
but I'm sure you can imagine,
or look out of a window because it might still  be a glance away for some of you-- 

but all the colors! There are so many! And they are so bright!
Everything is actually really messy and a little chaotic; leaves --HARK! the confetti of the earth-- all over the place, yet everything seems exactly in place.

In all my 27years the seasonal appreciation, I think this year might be the first  I have really acknowledged the stains left behind on the concrete.

It must be all this talk of goals, and lasting impressions, which I've noticed been curling up to me as of late. I have just turned that 27th-year-older, moved into a new home, am in the process of formulating my own meaningful occupation, and been practicing a very goal oriented spiritual practice which all aid in looking a bit farther ahead in life.

In the most non-cliche  language,
I've been wondering a lot about what are the stains am I leaving behind--
on people,
on earth,
on this life I have been given?

...Sigh...
Ever feel like you are not living up to your full potential? I have been feeling this more frequently than not.

One of many good things about making a move -- old belonging become new again.
I picked up a couple of my old books this week which melt into these ideas of personal impact in their own round about way...

Thich Nhat Hanh and the percepts of his communities, were some of the most convicting-- from acting against idolatry, distractions, hatred, and 11 other passion compelling principles. The fifth and eleventh of the 14 are a few of my most celebrated:

"Do not accumulate wealth while millions are hungry. Do not take as the aim of your life fame, wealth, or sensual pleasure. Live simply and share time, energy, and material resources with those who are in need."

"Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to humans or nature. Do not invest in companies that deprive other of their chances to life. Select a vocation which helps realize your ideal of compassion."

Hail!, people of my heart! 
TNH mentions in the description of the fifth precept the nature of the Bodhisattavs so called jobs, "They live a simple life in order to practice the Way, and consider the realization of perfect understanding as their only career."

I think sometimes maybe I am clinging to the wrong lifestyle...

But then I realize although I have not unleashed with confidence that way of life where my greatest passions meet the world's greatest needs--and still make a rent check out of it-- I understand my non-monastic community & way of life are the people and issues of and on my heart; connecting with them becomes my own monastery and career of itself. I am the only one not allowing myself to say my vocation is not income based, but impact based...

Consecrating my life and myself to the earth, the community I am of, and my sense of calling, will hopefully be  the loving brand of cast left behind I am hoping for.

Now to hunt for some more income -- but only one that fit within the the 11th precept... ;]

Leave (stains) like the Leaves with me!?!
Love you.