THE NEEDED CENTER
CARE + CREATIVITY + CONNECTION
This is space is designed to help you find creative balance and inner equilibrium in the modern world. Join us in The Needed Center and find yours.
THE NEEDED CENTER
It started as a whisper.
A quiet knowing,
reaching through the fog,
traveling through my consciousness
like a vein of silver, catching light,
begging to be seen.
I’d like to believe that,
although I have my own uniqueness,
this longing is not mine alone.
It is the call of the quiet inner sanctuary,
the place I call
The Needed Center.
It is that agitation that you feel when these tools of pixel and light
fight to become our masters,
stealing precious time by entrapment.
Or the subtle groan when your heart feels
burdened by the outer noise and heaviness.
We should not forget that sunlight,
the swaying of trees,
the musical conversation between birds,
the heat of sun-kissed sand,
and the undulation of oceans and streams
is the right and real balm.
This poem was sparked by an awareness that I had become off-centered, unbalanced. What was the cause of this inner sense of distortion? What was or is the catalyst of this feeling of being out of synch with the values and principles that makes me feel rooted and connected to what is good, peaceful and true? These may seem like abstractions, but I am of the belief that we know instinctively what those 3 things are. What makes us kind, what allows for patience, what creates space for beneficial contemplation, that which is the essence of calm within ourselves.
Certainly, I surmised, the pandemic changed the way I interact with the world, both physically and digitally. That 4 year blip in the span of human history, left a scorched and indelible etching on my heart and soul. Removing interactions and connections, for the good of others, I might add, was essential. It also amplified the simmering background fires of introversion. My tendency to be introspective morphed into an internal chasm that has remained much larger and harder to cross than I could have ever envisioned. Paper and books gave way to pixels and bookmarks, altering the way and the quantity of how I consumed outside information. It is little wonder that I look back in regret as I contemplate the amount of wasted hours. Time better spent reading and learning, creating and doing, gave way to mindless gathering. I used to say it felt like a solar panel that has absorbed too much sunlight but never converted the power to useful energy. Now it feels more like a bogged down and flooded land, over saturated with water that is now green with algae and stale, without life.
I could spent an inordinate amount of time figuring out the why, but I’m more interested in finding my way back to my needed center. First, I had to reexamine my relationship with the digital world. The question I had to ask myself is: how have I benefited from what is offered as free?
We have become accustomed to using platforms that ask us to trade our time and attention for free access. But is opting-in really a trade off? Are we trading our inner peace and our golden imagination for easy access to an addictive stream of what is now called ‘content’? For me, contemplation has led me to the conclusion that I should not be content with 'content' consumption. I have really come to abhor that pronoun as a catchall for anything that is shared and made public. An essay is an essay, a picture is a picture. 'Content' gives the unyielding impression that everything is meant to be greedily swallowed and soon forgotten. I am not here for this. I am here, with my feet in the earth, mind full of ideas and wonderings, pulled by the leadings of a creative mind and kindness-fueled heart.
This place, this space, is called The Needed Center. It is designed to remind me and other kindred souls of the vital need to feel centered. It is a center or place where I can feel needed. It is a guide to standing still and connecting, like the center of a well-worn wheel. All my spokes centered into a heart that feels deeply and sends out its fruitage, feed by generosity and care. This is the place for slow sips, gentle musings, kind conversations, and care of self. A life of caregiving must have a centered caregiver; a rested provider, a solid tree that sways in the wind, strong, resilient, sometimes clever, always striving for peace. We radiate peace when the sun of our hearts are warm and benevolent, not cold and frozen.
Let the warmth of The Needed Center comfort the darker places and bring you to life and light.
CARE
You cannot create well without soul care. For me, one of the greatest additions to my personal journey to soul care has been discovering the power of plants; specifically those used for teas. I have compiled some of my favorite herbs, spices, and roots for tea making.
It’s best to get your teas from those who care most about how they are made, like the good folks at Mountain Rose Herbs. Most links will take you there. I am forever grateful for the herbal wisdom and education shared with me by the wonderful team at Rooted Medicine Circle. *
You’ll need a good mug for all the tea we are going to drink together. Take a look as some of my favorite ceramic artists below and grab a cup. Click on the images to go to the shops of these talented makers.
*This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please check with your health care provider if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications. It is vital to learn whether there may be drug interactions with any herbs you may consume.
GET SOME TEA
Build your own collection of tea making plants. Click on the images and discover a whole new world of calm.
Nettle Leaf (Urtica dioica) This popular plant grows wild all over the world and is known for as the 'Stinging Nettle, by many, due to its prickly leaves and stems. It has been used for urinary regulation and may help with prostate inflammation and arthritis.
Mamaki (Pipturus albidus) Native to Hawaii, Mamaki has been used by locals for all kinds of ailments, including high-blood pressure and cholesterol reduction. Studies are ongoing, but this caffeine-free tea is one of my favorites and I consume it daily.
Roasted Chicory Root (Cichorium intybus) This robust root, a relative of the dandelion, has been a favorite replacement for those looking to avoid coffee . It may help with digestion due to its high concentration of inulin. I love it for its rich aroma and flavor.
Chamomile Flowers (Matricaria chamomilla) Perhaps one of the most popular herbal teas, Chamomile is one of the most versatile flowers, being used throughout history for its calming properties. I've used it as a compress as it seems to help alleviate skin irritation.
Hibiscus Flower (Hibiscus sabdariffa) What a gem this herb is! Besides its magical ability to turn water into a rich deep crimson color, Hibiscus has been used to lower blood pressure and is an antioxidant powerhouse. Tart, tangy and potent!
Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale) Rich in flavor, with a touch of bitterness, Dandelion Root is must-have for tea making. The inulin feeds the beneficial gut flora and this time-honored root has been an aid to calmness.
Dandelion Leaf (Taraxacum officinale) What many consider to be a weed, those of us with insight know better. This extremely versatile plant has been used for centuries to aid with digestion and to strengthen intestinal health.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) Another calming powerhouse, Lemon Balm has a distinctive citrus aroma and is a wonderful addition to your herbal tea collection. Lemon Balm is often incorporated into skincare products as it is known to sooth and refresh the skin.
MAKE A CUPPA:
THE ROOTED EARTH BLEND
1 Tablespoon Ground Chicory Root
1/2 teaspoon Ceylon Cinnamon
1 Star Anise pod
Dash of Clove
Dash of Nutmeg
Dash of Vanilla Bean Powder
Date Syrup
Plant milk of choice.
Add the chicory and all the spices to your tea pot and add boiling water. Let is sit for about 5 minutes. I love date syrup as a sweetener, as its richness pairs well with chicory. This is a great blend for those looking for a coffee substitute. If you like it a little bitter, add less sweetener and plant milk. Pairs will with the IAMTHELAB Super Oatmeal Cookies. (recipe coming soon!)
GRAB A MUG
It’s scientifically proven that tea tastes better in a handmade mug. (I’m the ‘scientist’ who says it is so.)
Kindred Workshop
da forma
Florian Gadsby
Heide Clover
Matt Repster
Nic Hole
Andrea Tsang
Bert The Potter
Kaas Heger
Jono Smart & Emily Stephen
Mud Thing
Joanna Oliver
Pinched Pottery
K Ceramics
Miro Made This
East Fork
CREATIVITY
These the finds that help me to feel creative and serene.
These books and magazines have brought me great calm and nourished my creativity. Some of the book are linked to Bookshop.org, a storefront that supports local and small booksellers. These affiliate links help keep the lights on at IAMTHELAB HQ. The rest are linked to other booksellers and the websites of the authors. You can find all the books we love in The Library.
The makers and artists I’ve collected for The Needed Center create with kindness, calm, and beauty. Get your hands on real arts and crafts, made by hands. You can find all of these makers in The Gallery.
A little music can go a long way. The Calm Playlist offer a selection of tunes that work great as a wall of background love.
GRAB A BOOK
Your bookshelf and hands will be happier if they have good books in them. Click on the images and start collecting.
Chick Pea Magazine
STILL - The Art of Noticing by Mary Jo Hoffman
The Kinfolk Garden
Home Ground: Sanctuary in the City by Dan Pearson
Living In
By My Hands by Florian Gadsby
The Story of Tools by Hole & Corner (Raft)
STILL - The Slow Home by Natalie Walton
The Monocle Book of Homes
KINFOLK Journeys
BOOK OF THE MONTH:
STILL - THE ART OF NOTICING
Capturing six essays and over 275 of Mary Jo Hoffman's captivating images, this printed manifestation of her work is uncompromisingly magnificent. I know this might sound like hyperbolic musing, but words really don't do this book justice. This book is a testament to the power of both observation and the often missed intrinsic beauty found in the natural world. Very few publications can take stunning photographs and transport their quiet soulfulness onto the page like STILL - The Art of Noticing does.
STILL - The Art of Noticing is designed to gracefully disengage you from the digital madness and transport you to worlds that exist just within sight and often out of view. I highly recommend getting your hands on this luxuriously-designed tome to nature and to keen creativity-fueled observation.
GET GREAT ART
Fill your walls with art and feel inspired everyday. Great art can uplift the soul and warm the heart.
Kim Bartelt
David Shillinglaw
Bridget Greenwood
Erin Ashley
Hannah Blackmore
David Hardy
Shellie Garber
Formwork Studio
Line Nilsen
THE CALM PLAYLIST
My ever-growing playlist of soothing tunes for the sensitive soul. These are the songs that sit just beyond the peripheral, designed to keep you company on those creative days.
Updated weekly.
COMMUNITY
Join me in The Inner Circle for teatime. Convene with creatives from all over the globe as we talk art, craft and design.