Essential, Random and Frivolous Thoughts of a Cabinet Maker

I think it would be safe to say we all have a distorted view of ourselves. I guess that goes with out saying. For me, I’m sure I think I’m more adventurous than I actually am. Maybe, many of us feel that way.

To be truly open to new ideas and to see ourselves in an objective way in order to assess our direction, progress and pace on a regular basis is a real skill. A skill I believe is worth honing consistently.

Why? Because nothing is more valuable than objectively knowing how you are showing up in the world daily. At least for me. This is important to me.

Often, I need a swift kick in the @$$ to get back on track. Or in some cases, a gentle persuasion in order to intentionally jump off the tracks and take a sketchy and arduous trail uphill into the thick of the woods where you don’t the destination.

Why not?

If there’s one thing that I have to come learn as I get on in age is that nothing is written. I know that sounds like a real cop out. “No kidding, Jim. You’re really going out on a ledge with that comment.” But, in coming to that conclusion and fully accepting that truth, I’m able to engage in each and every moment as much as I’m physically and mentally capable of doing. Or at least I try.

Getting out of a warm bed early in the chilly darkness of the morning in a sleepy slumber during the week can easily be dismissed as a task to move through as quickly as possible in order to get to an activity I enjoy much more.

But, if we’re able to form an intimate relationship with our mortality and our brief time on this earth, maybe – just maybe, we can embrace all moments in our lives. No matter how many times we feel like we’ve repeated that same task before.

Because the truth is: there is a finite number of times we do anything in our lives while we’re here. No matter how “enjoyable” or “mundane we claim that task to be.

One of my weaknesses would be leaning into – not only the grind – but whatever is challenging day after day. The idea of getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is something I need to work on constantly.

I’m – just like many other human beings – always looking for the path of least resistance. The hill to coast on. The “down” time. And I know better! It’s not something I beat myself up over, but I certainly have that awareness.

I have learned many times over that the most growth I receive is in the moments of discovery. The times when I choose to challenge myself and push the envelope a bit. And even though I may complain or find those times difficult, I always look back to them with fondness.

Whether it’s deciding to run a half-marathon and training for 4 months or choosing a creative project with a deadline and working to get it right. The idea of self-inflicted pressure does the trick for me. It forces me to rise to the occasion and dig deeper.

When will I realize this is how I want to live my life on a consistent basis? And will it ever get easier? I’m not sure. Maybe that’s not important.

The idea of this title is that we are forever evolving. Our ideas. Our perspective. Our opinions. It’s no more rational than retaining antiquated beliefs and ideas that don’t serve any of us in modern times. Such as: the earth is flat or the moon is made of cheese.

Politicians call it flip-flopping. I would say it’s more accurately an intelligent empathy and evolvement of our ideas and beliefs. To remain tethered to an idea because it feels familiar/safe, is to stop evolving.

Scientists are at the forefront of such discoveries. They only serve the scientific method when addressing new possibilities. If the results are different than what they expected, they run the experiment again and again. They don’t have an emotional attachment to a belief because it serves their narrative.

Maybe we can all accept the idea that world is vastly changing at a rapid pace and our views/perspectives/ideas should evolve with it. Not compromise our integrity. Or fast-track results to stroke our egos, but to genuinely to understand others before looking to be understood. To magnify empathy instead of bludgeoning others with our stance.

Maybe we can settle into and enjoy the process rather than a fixation on results. And in doing so, hear what others truly have to say.

I’ve witnessed it first hand: Someone goes through an experience in life – and whether they enjoyed it or it was a miserable ordeal for them, they chose to remember it differently than what actually happened.

Why is this so fascinating to me? I think it’s because it’s human nature’s way to protect ourselves from our poor decisions. From our past that we would otherwise have a difficult time accepting. It’s essentially a lie we tell ourselves to make ourselves feel better.

I know this because there are family members that have done this repeatedly. I’m sure I do it too.

Why are we unable to accept ourselves faults and all? Are we afraid of how we will be portrayed. Or maybe we would have to look in the mirror and accept that person for who they are that’s staring back at us.