My husband would be the first to tell you he is not particularly handy.
Even though the Handyman Club of America sent him a card in the mail designating him as a member in good standing. How that came to him is still a mystery.
When he was in school, all ninth grade boys had to take general shop.
He hated that class.
He nearly sawed through a sawhorse during the woodworking rotation.
One day the teacher gave the students pieces of plastic. They were to cut out a design and then buff it smooth. You had to be careful, Dennis tells me, because if you buffed too long or too hard, you could burn the piece.
He cut out a small dog and began to buff.
He showed it to the teacher. “How’s this?”
It’s worth a C.
More buffing. “How’s this?”
Now it’s a B minus.
More buffing.
They repeated this “dance” until the teacher pronounced the project A minus worthy.
“Good enough.”
My husband put down the buffer.
He was done.
Not finished necessarily, but done.
Like a biscuit, as Matt Appling would say.
When a student tells him, they’re done, Matt says, they are really saying they want to quit.
They are not really asking me, “Is this good?”
They are asking me, “Is this good enough?” ~p. 49
If you are living life by a “good enough” philosophy, then you are living like a teenager who only tries to get a passing grade or a worker trying to do just enough to not get fired. You will never discover your true potential at “good enough.” You will never exceed expectations at “good enough.” You will never surprise yourself at “good enough.” And no one will be more hurt than you by “good enough.” ~pp. 49-50
I frowned a bit when I read this because I’ve struggled I struggle so much with feeling less than enough, with not measuring up. So I’ve had to learn to say “enough’s enough. In fact, if I ever find the courage to write a memoir, I’ll call it Still. Enough.
Back in the day, I loved wrapping gifts. I’d get all creative. Maybe I’d tape an ribbon in the form of an angel and top it with angel hair. But it didn’t take the recipient any time at all to rip my creativity to shreds. So I got lazy and stuck to tying bows–and then just slapping on paper.
I gave up other creative outlets–cross-stitching, crocheting, quilting. They didn’t seem to be as worthy of my time as other pursuits. And I tired of the messes.
Besides, there were others who were much more talented.
I’d stick to writing.
And maybe try to see life deeper through the lens of a camera.
Even though there are others who are much more talented at both.
I lost the joy of simple play, the chance to overcome life messes by making messes, and the opportunity to use art to open the flow of words.
Though I’ve decided to accept myself as enough, I’ve decided not to accept a “good enough” life.
So I’ve said, “enough’s enough.”
I chose “create” as my one-word for the year.
I’m taking classes to chisel off the dried dust that coats my inner child.
I’ve bought sketchbooks and paints and colored pencils.
And just this morning, I rummaged through my leftover quilt supplies.
Let’s play.
Still creating,
Sandy
Joining The High Calling’s book study on
Life after Art: What You Forgot About Life and Faith Since You Left the Art Room
This week Glynn Young leads us in a discussion of the introduction through chapter 2.
Join us here.
You know, I love to create…with anything, paints, paper, scissors, brush, fabric, yarn, thread, with keys and strings and hands….in the kitchen, the yard, the craft room, at the sewing machine or blender, it is all such joy to me! With others, with God, or alone….But I feel that I am not the master of any one thing….just a student of all things creative. I love to play and I am so glad to hear that you are “dusting off your inner child” and having some creative fun! I loved relating to this story Sandra! Thank you!
Hugs,
Kelly
“I love to play.” I remember one quilt class I took. Everyone was so chatty, and someone commented on my “seriousness.” I was deep into focus on the project at hand and had no room for “chatty.” Maybe I would have enjoyed that class even more if I had learned to loosen up and just play.
I’m with your husband on Shop. The only difference is, I never would have darkened the door of the class to begin with.
Too bad he didn’t have a choice. He really should have taken home ec. 🙂
I love you are writing “create” on your life this year and getting in the mood to make messes. I have been having this crazy idea to get those new crayons that are in color hues and use them on a big blank canvas that I have. But haven’t done it yet… The red hues will probably be used in the Pinkalious coloring books before I get to it.
I had to look up Pinkalicious. I should have known that with a wee grand girl. Get the crayons, Dea. Hide them. Use them. And show me your creation. 🙂
I’m so glad you’ve decided that play needs to be in your life. Yes, it does! I know my granddaughter has had a lot to do with me getting back to play time; what a joyous experience!
Blessings, Sandy!
I got Grace a stone polishing kit a couple years ago, but I’ve never been able to get myself interested enough to help her. It’s still in its box. I find the beads and the toy oven oven overwhelming. And I’ve never liked doing crafts with kids in church when I’ve had to. I really need to loosen up.
I too need to just create with no intention of it being a masterpiece but just to enjoy the process and have fun! I have numerous scrapbooks, material to create photo albums of my grandkids and family. But do I try to make up a page or two? I’ve procrastinated, thinking of all the layouts in the books that are stunning. My efforts seem futile and so I let the project lapse. Your article and the urging to create has tempted me. I’ll just do one page today. Thanks for your encouraging words.
Oh, scrapbooks. Yes. I started out so well at least getting photos into albums when my daughter was small. Then my son came along, and now I’ve got bins and bins of photos and mementoes to organize. I tried to do a one-year scrapbook for Grace’s first birthday and still haven’t finished it. My niece suggested I do Grace a decade scrapbook for her 10th birthday. I thought it was the best idea in the world. I never did it.
Do your one page. That’s all we need to do, right? One page at a time.
Nice thoughts. I loved Matt’s book. That section was particularly powerful too.
I love how he uses art to look at deep life truths.
What a lovely perspective. As a recovering perfectionist, I’ve learned to see “good enough” as truly “good”. I want to always enjoy the process of the mess and let go of having to be the “best” in order to play.
Yes, Ginger. Yes.
Let’s see now. . . when we sold a house once, there was an entire closet full of cut out patterns – nightgowns for my then-grown daughters sized 8 and 10, children’s. And right now, there is a large bag of crochet yarn and an afghan half finished. Been that way for about 4 years, I think. Sigh. Oh, and I packed water colors and postcard sized paper for that month in Hawaii – never cracked them. Not once. I’m pretty much a bust. But you? Goodness, Sandy – look at your photos, read your words. Look at how you love your grandgirls. You create every day.
Step away from the screen, Diana, because I’m coming straight through it to hug you.
I never got into sewing clothes. Nothing but straight lines for me. 🙂
This weekend, pick up those colors and that paper and just spend 30 minutes outside. K? Then show me what you’ve got.