Essential, Random and Frivolous Thoughts of a Cabinet Maker

It’s always amazing to me to come to the realization that you don’t know what you don’t know . . . until you know it. It seems to reveal itself once I come across an idea, principle or approach which informs me with powerful information I can use in my life.

That sounds so elementary and yes, just common sense, but it’s true. And the only way I’ve come across these gems of gold is by putting forth an effort and searching for them. Another words, it’s not very often that I stumble across such treasures when I’m on the couch watching TV or scrolling on my phone (Actually, there have been very educational rabbit holes I’ve explored due to some of the algorithms I’ve got tangled up in). However, it’s because I’ve sought them out. I’ve made a decision to learn, grow and evolve.

Sometimes, I can drive myself crazy as I scold myself for not knowing that particular information earlier in my life. Although there are only so many hours in the day, I long for having more knowledge in different aspects of my life. Not because I’m looking to be a “know it all,” but because I feel like it can be a cheat code at times. It’s then when I’m happy I put in the work.

The key is always in putting in the effort to search new horizons and explore untouched frontiers both physically and intellectually. Lord knows I could use it.

I’m not interested in merely scratching the outer-most layered surface of life experiences, although that warm bath can be so alluring.

Traveling down the popular worn path doesn’t satisfy my curiosity, however its’ resistance free nature and known destination is hard to deny.

Communicating with others about frivolous topics and meaningless gossip doesn’t nurture my soul nor stimulate my mind to learn new perspectives or concepts.

It’s the intentional high-dive head first into the deep pool of the unknown – the unrefined and raw experience that captivates my attention. The contemplation of risk. The stretching of all my skills that keeps me at wonder. “Can I?” “Would it be possible?” “Is there any way I could. . . ?” And “What if?”

It is these questions that enchant my imagination and test my physical and mental capacities. This, we do alone. A lonely journey. Find your people to help you. I definitely need mine.

Although I don’t understand and often question the forces that entice me: I feel compelled to live a life less ordinary.

Our life, our choice.

We can’t choose our parents, but we can pick the path to follow.

We can’t choose our countenance, but we can love ourselves.

We can’t choose our family, but we can lean into patience and empathy.

We can’t choose how others view us, but we can work on our character.

We can’t choose conditions out of our control, but we can certainly choose how we react to them.

We can’t choose our boss, but we show up early and stay late, while treating others with respect.

We can’t choose every situation in life, but we have the power to choose how we show up daily.

I’m not sure, but I think one of the reasons why I love music so much is because of the short journey it takes us on. Audibly, emotionally and the images we create in our minds while riding this melodic wave.

There are other ways to journey through similar stories, but not quite like a song. And I guess I do see them as short stories. Maybe it’s the visuals created within me along with the fluid movement and sounds of the instruments that capture the attention of my mind and body – as short as it can be. It’s the perfect mix. Words and melody.

It’s a structured format – the framing of the words that tells the story – that seems to reach deep within and stir our emotions while the melody and rhythms of the chosen instruments seep down to our core and hijack our psyche as we replay the melody in our minds over and over throughout the rest of the day.

It captured my attention even at a young age. I’m not sure there is anything else that can create and envelop us as thoroughly and completely – saturating so many of our senses like music. What a gift.

And being able to play an instrument and participate in that story is a very significant ingredient for me. And something I don’t take for granted – no matter how average I am. I’m not just audience member, I’m creating that journey and maybe just maybe, stirring some emotions within someone – if I could be so lucky.

I chose this title because of the dichotomy of these words; Creative and Grind. One of them should bring about curiosity, playfulness, exploration, free-form experimentation and freedom. The other, a repetitious act of trudging through a task – more times than not, begrudgingly – in order to gain a desired outcome.

They seem to be at opposite sides of the spectrum. Yet, sometimes we can view our creativity as such. When I resist the act of creating, I believe it comes from having the wrong expectations. I’m a bit obsessive and a control-freak or whatever other word applies to someone who goes into a situation with – much of the time – unrealistically high expectations of the results.

However, having that attitude is most contrary to entire creative process. Now, don’t get me wrong, there is real value to “the grind” and here is how I would define it today: Showing up daily to put in a full effort in order to accomplish a desired goal or outcome regardless of how you feel about sitting down and doing the work. And yes, baked into that grind is a discipline that brings you back to that same desk day after day.

This seems to be one of the key lynch pins for me as I stack these creative bricks one at a time. Or another way of saying it, is climbing the grand staircase one step at a time. And yes, that one step can seem so simple . . . we skip it. However, after keeping your nose down day after day and stringing these daily wins together for a decent amount of time, you might just lift your head and see how far you’ve come – one step at a time.

This is progress.