So What
As a woodworker, my day to day concerns include materials, design and execution. What does this matter in a world where our environment, political structure and economies are facing rapid and radical changes? My friends and family members share their fears for our future and that of our children and grandchildren. From where I live and work, there seems to be no way to impact these more widespread concerns.
This assessment, though, is mistaken because I am wearing the blinders of unforgiveness for failings. Remove these and I can realize my opportunity for a meaningful and good “so what.” Take them away, and my true place in this world, my why for operating, becomes clearer. Leave them on and my only choice is selfishness.
With the blinders on, my family and my work seem only to connect at my assets. The overriding concern is whether I can amass and sustain enough money and other resources to support myself and my family now and to some degree after I’m gone. Take away the blinders, and all sorts of interrelationships appear. It is important that my family and community see me as someone who does his best technically and is honest and just with them and others. Can they authentically live with me?
Forgiving in the face of failures is my road to realizing these interrelationships. I have a choice: forgiveness or punishing myself, my family, friends and larger community for the failures around us. Avoiding failures is not an option either in my work or that of others. My realistic course of action going forward is to rise and try again. Likewise, I can help others to carry on.
After all, what is it to impact my world in a positive way (to establish a “so what”) but to try to grow from where I really am. To do this, I must meet failure with forgiveness and keep coming off the mat when I can. This is my road to my “so what.”
Come and see Bourgeois Furniture at Berkeley Art Works in Martinsburg, WV, the ShenArtsGallery in Winchester, VA, and Bent River Trading Post in Capon Springs, WV.
See you there.
Joe