Let them judge you.
Let them misunderstand you.
Let them gossip about you.
Their opinions aren’t your problem.
You stay kind, committed to love,
and free in your authenticity.
No matter what they do or say,
don’t you dare doubt your worth
or the beauty of your truth.
Just keep on shining like you do …
Scott Stabile 
Artist Credit: Natalia Maroz
A LOVE LETTER TO THE DIFFERENTLY EMPLOYED ONES
To those who say ‘this isn’t real work’:
The writer whose “not working” looks like staring out windows.
The artist whose “not working” looks like walking in nature.
The philosopher whose “not working” looks like sitting in silence .
The programmer whose “not working” looks like taking long showers
.
What the world misses:
The 3am inspirations that won’t let you sleep.
The relentless inner dialogue of creation.
Those quiet moments imbued with possibility.
The ceaseless refinement of your craft.
The unexpected ‘ahha’ that bleeds into your dreams.
The way your work follows you everywhere — family vacation, the dining table, the noisy arcade, the quiet forest walk, the tea party, the date, your wake, your sleep.
Not all work happens at a desk between 9 and 5.
Not everything needs to be fluorescent-lit.
Not all productivity can be measured in visible outputs.
Some of us work in cycles of deep reflection and intense creation.
Some of us carry our work in our hearts, letting it percolate until it’s ready to emerge.
The cycles of germination and bloom happen in the space between thoughts In the pause between breaths.
Not all work happens at a desk and fits their understanding.
Not all labor needs to perform its own visibility.
The deepest work often looks like nothing at all.
‘Their way’ — the boxed way — is just one way to move through life.
To choose your own path is to choose courage.
To live this way is to live with authenticity.
To work like this is to work with integrity.
And yes, it’s lonely sometimes.
But dear creative ones:
Learn not to care about their gazes, and focus like a laser beam on your craft.
Nothing else but your craft and your path.
Your worth lives beyond the visible
Your value transcends conventional metrics.
Your dedication shows in the depth of your work.
Your value is in your values — your dedication, commitment, guiding principles, and your steadfast efforts.
Even when your parents and ‘village’ never get it.
Even when you were misjudged for being ‘a privileged someone who does nothing’ .
Even when no one sees it at all.
Keep going.
The world needs those who dare to work differently.
The ones who create their own definitions of meaning.
The ones who choose authenticity over appearance.
You’re not alone in this journey
We’re here too, working in our own invisible ways.

Oh wow. I love this so much. 
Thought this might fit in with Jean’s Cozy Corner too…
" We are not here to fit in, be well balanced or provide an example for others. We are to be eccentric, different ,perhaps strange, perhaps to add our small piece, our little clunky chunky selves, to the great mosaic of being. As the gods intended, we are here to become more and more ourselves.” ~ James Hollis.
Thank you Jewel very well said 
Wow.
For me this speaks to the time when, I pray, we live in thriving abundance. Where “work” is redefined as Work That Matters.
Work for Survival is, well, to survive. Chop wood, Carry water. (Make money.)
Things we lump into “entertainment” or “education” often have the energy of “audience” and “followers.” The energy is that because, well, we identify as being in those roles.
But those who watch, engage, and are part of the energetic exchange are co-creators – even if they say not a word of praise (or criticism). What we gift our attention and life force to… MATTERS!
From the physics (and metaphysics) perspective, our attention IS work. Attention Within. Attention to What Is. Attention to yearnings and curiosities. It’s WORK. If it matters to us, then it is Work That Matters.
I yearn for culture and kin and circumstances where we do not work “FOR” others. Rather our energy and attitude is we are engaging WITH, co-creating WITH.
I yearn for culture and kin and circumstances where we do not work “FOR” others. Rather our energy and attitude is we are engaging WITH, co-creating WITH.
Very well said Rick, Co-creation is so fulfilling and I’m glad I have a place to explore it here with everyone
