Month: July 2023 (Page 2 of 2)

I was quite close to my Grandparents as well as my great Aunt and Uncle while they were alive. Unfortunately, I lost them numerous years ago. So many fond memories of playing horseshoes with my Uncle Paul, baking homemade rolls with my Grandmother, making vegetable soup from scratch with my Aunt Pauline, picking raspberries in my Grandfather’s patch and eating them on the spot or making wooden boats in his workshop to float down the small creeks winding along roads and under culverts as we ran beside them on the grassy banks.

When I was young, I had a hard time being alone with them at the beginning because I wanted to stay with my Mom. I cried for what seemed like hours after she left me with my Grandfather or Great Aunt. But, what I remember even better, was the space they all gave me to feel sad. To cry. To stew, brew and think. They would never force me to taste the homemade vegetable soup I adamantly and repeatedly said I wouldn’t like. My Aunt Pauline would just say, “You might just like it” and then she would slowly dip her wooden spoon into the large pot on the stove and take a test taste as I watched the smile come across her face. “It’s quite delicious.”

On one occasion my Grandfather came to our house while my Mom ran around town doing adult things. After being left with my Grandfather, I felt sad and knew there was no way I could survive until the afternoon. He wanted to build us a bike rack made of wood so we could store them with some semblance of organization. He told me what he was doing and he could use my help, but I wanted no part of it. He didn’t force me or shame me for feeling sad, he just kept going about his business until I was able to get out of my own way. My curiosity grew. I wanted to help him. I eventually got engaged in the work and we built the rack together. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and spending time with him.

When I looked over my shoulder, my Mom was home. “Home so soon?”

Maybe we can all give some space to others so that they’re not only able to feel what they’re going through in that moment, but rise to the occasion and find the best versions of themselves as well. I was given that opportunity and will be forever changed because of it.

Patience is a virtue.

I wish I had more.

Patience is an act.

We actively choose what we actions we take throughout the day.

Therefore, I do access to more.

It’s a choice.

Yaayy!

To be totally honest, I’m not exactly sure what Living a Purpose-Driven Life means.

I’ve heard people say that having a farm using traditional methods is a way to do it. Others say, being the best version of yourself everyday is another form. And yet others say, being kind is also living a life of purpose.

Does it mean that every task I engage in throughout my day must have purpose? Or does it mean, don’t float through life taking, taking and taking with our only concern being: What’s in it for me? I’m not sure.

My instincts would tell me that doing something that will not only benefit us as well as others is a good place to start.

Is building custom cabinets for my clients a purpose-driven life? I don’t know. It doesn’t feel like it sometimes. And yet other times it does.

I would – as I think many others as well – would like to change the world for the better in a big way. End homelessness. Cure cancer. Or rid the world of poverty. But, maybe if we can start by individually engaging in an act that has meaning to us – that benefits our well-being – we might just find that it too helps others as well.

But what the hell do I know. I’m just a cabinet maker.

I’m constantly fascinated and intrigued about people’s perspective when resolving problems. Especially the greatest minds in our history.

There is no doubt I could use help. It’s a skill just like anything else. If you’ve modeled a behavior that shows you frustration, panic and anger, more than likely you will have limited strategies to resolve your obstacle in your tool box.

On the other hand, if we can mentor and learn various strategies of not only how we arrive at problems and overcome them, but seeing the obstacle as an opportunity for growth and an awakening to wisdom, we may be a bit more welcoming to the whole idea. I know I would.

More than likely, someone in the history of mankind has gone through and resolved an issue we are going through. What did they do? How did they view the hurdle? I’m willing to bet it didn’t have a negative effect on their mindset.

In fact, I’m willing to bet it didn’t even break their stride. They probably look forward to them. Imagine that. Why? Because they can get beyond the problem to the solution and they have the foresight to know what person they are becoming.

With some effort, research and trial by fire, maybe I can get to that place. Maybe we all can.