Words matter

Look at the words that Donald Trump uses and their divisiveness. Look at the inclusive words used by Bernie Sanders. There, I've done used words to let slip my political leanings. Words matter. I've been calling my habit change projects ‘goals’. This invokes a certain feeling tone. A newer and possibly more helpful feeling tone is associated with ‘intention’. An intention is very pervasive in that it also invokes its opposite. As an example if our intention is to improve our eating habits then with that intention comes a recognition of the times when we slip and make poor eating choices as a counter intention. This adds responsibility. Words matter, don't you think?

Newest Box. A box without a lid. A dresser valet. Oak and Maple. 2X8X10

Ordinary Mind

This is who I am. I’m not special or original, or different, not here for a reason. This is me. Truer than true, as the good doctor says. Just settle and sprout ordinariness. Don’t be confused. Enthusiasm develops with interest and interest develops through investigation. Investigate the ordinary. The ordinary is not the usual, not the mundane. It is what leads us to discover our presence or position. Are we host or guest?

Boxes

Two more done. I learn a lot making these. Some aspects I'll repeat and some I'll avoid. The wood was given to me by Dan at SHS . It is Ancient Kauri , a wood from New Zealand, preserved in peat up to 50K years ago and now dug up and milled into lumber. It is soft and easy to work. These were big trees when buried by the peat, some up to 40 feet in circumference and 200 feet tall. I learn the importance of a proper fitting lid. The shorter one has it where the longer skinnier one doesn’t. The handles were easier than I thought they'd be. The finish was better, shellac then wax, but still not what I want. On to the next set of boxes. This time I want to make a box with a hinged lid. Mahogany body and maybe White Oak top and bottom. We'll see.

Relax

Jeri, Will and Mary having fun.

Jeri, Will and Mary having fun.

Trust the universe. This is where life happens. I can choose trust and take responsibility. Otherwise, I suffer distress. There is no way out. It seems so simple but is hard and we all are struggling. We struggle against the universe rather than trust the universe. Relax. Try, try, try. Only go straight. This is some wise advice I read in “Only Don’t Know” a collection of letters with Seung Sahn.

Bayesian

Experimental selfie.

My motivation ebbs and flows, waxes and wanes like the moon. Currently waxing. We’ll see. I like to consider myself a Bayesian and remind myself of this often. I revise my priors when new evidence come in. I’ve heard it said that a wise person proportions his beliefs to the evidence. There were no welders or woodworkers at the last Zen retreat I went to. I know of no others besides me. The last Zen retreat was a psychoanalyst convention. Zen seems to attracts them like flies. 


Tidbit from “Better than Before” by Gretchen Rubin

"Some people say to me, “I want to learn to go through my day making healthy choices.” And I answer, “No, you don’t!” Every choice is an opportunity to make the wrong choice. Every choice is a struggle that requires willpower. Choose once, then stop choosing. Make important behaviors into habits, and save your willpower for complex, urgent, or novel situations." 

Stir

Just finish the book ’Stir - My Broken Brain and the Meals That Brought Me Home’ by Jessica Fechtor. ‘Beginnings happen all the time.’ She is struck by an brain aneurysm in her 20's. Each event leads to an opportunity. Engaging writing. Shows how meals are community building, an expression of love and commitment permeating life if we allow it. She tells this story for the point of view of a sudden loss then a long slow twisted rediscovery. The trials are heart breaking but the attitude she brings to the table is brave and very mature. There is no mysterious cause or blame only fact. Move ahead and be thankful seemed to be her mode of operation. She never loses sight (except visually in her left eye) of many friends and support. Mixed with great food writing and some interesting recipes.

This is in contrast to the hugely shallow “Wild” movie. The trials are not the same and the journey has no comparison.