Monday, April 2, 2012

My Favorite Quote, Free for You

Hi Everyone,

Well, as of today I've finished two more items on my 40 x 40 list. The first is #11 - Learn the basics of InDesign. InDesign is a magnificent program that makes creating books, newsletters, and brochures simple... Well, simpler than it would be if you were attempting to typeset traditionally or even using Word. It's a complex program but it is very good at what it does. I'll be reviewing InDesign 101 with Nicole's Classes soon.

The other item that I've checked off is #30 - Make a picture of my favorite quote to have & share. The other class that I just finished was Typography for Beginners at Nicole's Classes. I learned tons about typography and the homework lessons, which were both useful and relevant, allowed me the opportunity to make a picture of my favorite quote. I'm going to have mine professionally printed but I made one for you to print if you like it too.



This is the last stanza of Robert Frost's poem "Two Tramps in Mud Time."  The poem is about Frost, who while chopping wood, is approached by two tramps who indicate that they think he should pay them to do the thing that he loves:

"Nothing on either side was said.
They knew they had but to stay their stay
And all their logic would fill my head:
As that I had no right to play
With what was another man's work for gain.
My right might be love but theirs was need.
And where the two exist in twain
Theirs was the better right--agreed."

Then begins my favorite quote:

"But yield who will to their separation,
My object in living is to unite
My avocation and my vocation
As my two eyes make one in sight.
Only where love and need are one,
And the work is play for mortal stakes,
Is the deed ever really done
For Heaven and the future's sakes."

He was saying that work for love is just as important as work for money. (That's EXTREMELY over-simplified, but it's the gist.)

However, this speaks to me a little differently than how I think Frost intended. I'm trying to make a living doing a thing that I love. I truly am trying to unite my avocation and my vocation and if I am successful in the unification, then my work will be play. It's also a aspiration of mine to learn to enjoy the mundane, homely tasks and to treat them with the care and importance they deserve. It has multiple meanings for me. 

If you like it, you can download it here or grab it from the "Freebies" list on the right. I hope you enjoy it!

I'll see you soon,
Heather

5 comments:

  1. One of my all time favorite quotes too, and you've done a lovely job with it. Nicely done, dear! And nice to have you back...at some point last week, I was thinking, "I need some list-making inspiration, when does Heather come back?!"

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  2. heather, i wish you all the success in the world with your combination job/passion. i believe in that totally - my job as a teacher is a calling. so, i understand. you are doing exactly right - setting goals, learning more, and keeping the momentum. best wishes, and i'm happy to be along for the journey with you. Joy and many fine adventures, n

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  3. So GREAT to cross off two more things from your list! Beautiful quote print, I hope it will help you remember the important things.

    I'm off to my sister for Easter, and besides chatting, talking walks in the wood, go to a textile museum and have nice dinners, she will give me a crash course in InDesign. Hope I can take in a lot! I need to use it for work.

    Thanks for your very encouraging comment to my last post! So sweet of you!

    Happy Easter! (If you celebrate Easter...)

    Love Maria

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  4. I really, really hope you can unite your avocation and vocation. You are working so hard on your courses and your blog and everything else you are doing and we are all enjoying coming along on the ride with you, it will be lovely when it starts to all come together for you. I'm really hoping this year will see me doing more of what I love as opposed to just what I have to do so I understand the struggle.

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  5. Thank you for posting. It is one of my favorite quotes and the goal to which I aspire. Wishing you best of luck as you work to combine your avocation and vocation!

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