(And don’t even get me started on all the awesome things you can do with a hammer!)
The idea being that functionality is not one dimensional, that an object can serve multiple purposes, and that versatility is a virtue.
Embracing this mindset allows people to keep their non-sentimental items to a minimum, which then frees up oodles of time to do more important things. (Like changing the world.) It’s less time spent cleaning, organizing, managing, maintaining, and hauling from house to house. Less money spent on one-use kitchen gadgets that never see the light of day.
Yet, sometimes in our ruthless drive for efficiency and functionality, we can overlook the most elemental utility of all: the capacity to evoke the human heart through beauty.
We focus on time management and productivity and frugaliciousness but living in beauty is equally vital to our well-being.
“We live only to discover beauty. All else is a form of waiting.”
- Kahlil Gibran
It is said that beauty is simply reality seen through the eyes of love. And shouldn’t we be surrounded by things that reach through our eyes to our heart? Mindfully choose possessions which will inspire and awaken our spirit?
“When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.”
- R. Buckminster Fuller






16 comments
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October 2, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Pace Smith
That’s why I love learning about design. It helps me see the beauty of everyday things on a deeper level. (:
hayden tompkins says:
That book looks insane…ly awesome! It also kind of explains you platonic love affair with Martin Whitmore.
October 2, 2009 at 6:15 pm
janice
You’re a spooky witch! The piece due out in my coaching column next week, the one I sent my editor yesterday, will ring bells with you! William Morris rules; everything I own has to be insanely useful or extremely beautiful.
hayden tompkins says:
LOVE. THAT. PHILOSOPHY. Should be a fabulous article!
October 2, 2009 at 7:31 pm
vanessaleighsblog
You are so right Hayden, again! What you say always speaks to my spirit on some level, and besides my ever diligent work at minimizing, or not getting in the first place, what we create, do, leave behind……it has to show the beauty of the love that brought it about to truly be worthwhile.
Sometimes, I have to forcibly stop, and think, that not everyone, in fact, many people, don’t see the world as I do: One great bit long LOVEFEST…..
So sad for them, good for me!
hayden tompkins says:
I love how you connect minimizing with the process of creation and, ultimately, love. Yes!
October 2, 2009 at 7:44 pm
birdie
“(And don’t even get me started on all the awesome things you can do with a hammer!)”
*gigglesnort!*
Sorry. AHEM!
I like Janice’s statement here: “William Morris rules; everything I own has to be insanely useful or extremely beautiful.”
hayden tompkins says:
Is your hammer leading a boring life??
October 3, 2009 at 12:30 am
Greg
Wish I could say I practiced t his better, but I’d be kidding myself. I need to do a better job. We don’t have a super-sized home, so space is at a premium…
hayden tompkins says:
The process never really ends, unfortunately. Humans are wired to want things and that (naturally) throws a
hammerwrench into how we live in our space.October 3, 2009 at 10:28 am
Lance
Hi Hayden,
This week I’ve really been feeling the beauty and the love! So, what an interesting post to read – and think about even further. And it has me thinking, right now, about a piece of artwork from a friend – and how deeply meaningful that is to me. It serves no functional purpose, yet it’s something that has much more “value” than the microwave, or the blender, or the grilling utensils…even though if I were to buy it, the cost would be much less….
Hmmm…you’ve got me thinking about all the “stuff” I have – and how it all fits in…
hayden tompkins says:
The relationship between love and beauty is so interconnected! I hope your friend realizes how much you treasure that piece, artists send their love into the universe like children.
October 4, 2009 at 1:40 am
Lori
Hey Hayden, I’d love to see a post from you about the many functions (and alternate ego) of your hammer. I’ll put money on that post being an awesome read.
I love your writing style/tone, Hayen. And, I’m so glad I ventured out from my comfort zone, too, and found you!
I live part of my life in a 400 sq. ft. studio apt with my man, so I *get* the whole multi-function approach. In fact, 1/2 of our kitchen cupboards house books, as well as recycled wrapping paper and office supplies and DVDs.
It’s great to see many familiar faces at your TTI tribe, too. You go, girl!
hayden tompkins says:
I’m starting to wonder if everyone thinks that my hammer is involved in some sort of illegal shenanigans. YES, shenanigans are involved, but I assure you that my hammer strictly operates in the grey areas of Black & Decker policy and procedure.
Did you say 2 people in a 400 ft. studio apartment? WOW. That kind of restraint probably inspires loads of design creativity for you both!
October 4, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Kool Aid
Forget the hammer, I want to know more about that toaster
hayden tompkins says:
Here is the awesome!
October 6, 2009 at 1:55 am
Kool Aid
awww DUDE! Now that’s a toaster!
hayden tompkins says:
Isn’t it???
October 4, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Karl Staib - Work Happy Now
I know I forget about the beauty in my day to day travels. I try to get so much done that I forget to enjoy the connections that I am building and creating. That to me that is what is most beautiful. The ability to make each other laugh, feel inspired, and expand our love. Friendship.
One day this will all be gone, at least in it’s present form and I know I’ll miss it.
hayden tompkins says:
It’s true, everything will change. But I can’t help but think that you’ll bring those connections with you wherever you go!
October 5, 2009 at 12:31 am
Randi
I was reading this post and most of the way through I was thinking, “That sounds exactly like something Janice would say,” or “Janice would LOVE to read this!” and then I get to the end and who’s one of your first commenters? Janice! Great minds do indeed think alike.
Does your toaster seriously boil eggs? I love, love, love things that can do more than one thing.
I adored the quote by Fuller, because when I finish something, I look back and try to see it from someone else’s eyes. Then I make sure that it looks beautiful to that other person.
Love the new look of the site and your new signature!
hayden tompkins says:
Thank you!
So how do you find out if something looks beautiful to someone else’s eyes?
P.S. Yes, the Franken-toaster really is that awesome.
October 5, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Randi
“So how do you find out if something looks beautiful to someone else’s eyes?”
Hee hee hee! I’m glad you pointed that out because my statement about that has to be one of the stupider things I’ve ever said! Mainly because I’m the judge of whether or not it looks good to someone else–ha ha! I guess what I meant to say is, I try to look at something with fresh eyes. That’s what I get for blogging in the wee hours of the night!
hayden tompkins says:
LOL! I was actually really excited, I was hoping to get some awesome secret to empathy.
October 5, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Blogger Dad
Yeah, ditto what KoolAid said, I want to know more about that toaster, too! I would also like a TV that transforms into a robot which irons and folds laundry – so long as it didn’t do it while I was watching TV, of course.
hayden tompkins says:
It could have a “sleep” mode: while you’re sleeping, it’s rocking the laundry!
P.S. The Franken-toaster lives here. Well, kind of! I think we got ours at Walmart.
October 5, 2009 at 3:22 pm
connie
yep, the toaster has me intrigued as well! I do not bring home anything I do not absolutely postively love…if it is not an absolute yes…it is a no!!!
too many “maybes” end up in the garage!
hayden tompkins says:
That is SO TRUE! Sometimes I find myself bringing home things that are “almost perfect but not quite” thinking that I’ll revamp them into perfection. (I never do.)
October 5, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Ian | Quantum Learning
Even those sentimental things have double uses such as door stoppers, drink mats or paper weights.
hayden tompkins says:
I love it! Not I don’t feel bad about my “table” made of books.
October 5, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Char (PSI Tutor:Mentor)
Beauty is an important concept in my life. I am always looking to create space in my home to highlight the beauty that I celebrate…birds and butterflies hovering in the front room, the curve of a bamboo vase, the texture of a book’s pages, light flashes from quartz gatherings, tropical scents of happy plants, the sleeping cat…
hayden tompkins says:
Wow, you are an incredibly visual and texture oriented person. For a second, I was right there – your description was so vivid!