My Dad has always been a handyman, one of those guys who had no formal qualifications but was able to look at what needed fixing and before long, it was completed. His support was always offered when jobs needed to be done around the house, or when I was a child he would build toys and cubby houses from scratch for my siblings and me to enjoy.
I recently asked him for some support with a project that was being set up with the local park community. They were asking residents to help build a new nature playground and for volunteers to construct a small table and a sorting box for the play space amongst the bushes. I approached my Dad and asked if he was interested as he loved to work with wood, and his backyard was a permanent display of benches and picnic tables he had built over the years.
Over the next 3 days I had the privilege of working and standing in deep appreciation of this man and his relationship with wood and the craftsmanship of carpentry.
Day One: Preparation Stage
My Dad waited patiently for the materials to be dropped off at his home from the local hardware store. When I arrived he had already placed all of his working materials meticulously on the bench: an assortment of cutters and tools that he had used regularly and that he knew would support him to design and build these pieces. He checked that he had easy access to the area and that there was plenty of workspace for him to move around as he manipulated the materials.
I sat with my Dad and discussed the design, asking him for support and possible options in ways we would start the process. I noticed that as I worked there was this inbuilt urgency to get it up and running as my Dad continued to ponder on the measurements, sizing up and spending time feeling the wood and how it would react to the cutting processes.
I could feel a bit of agitation in my body. I was going into the ‘get it done’ mode and my Dad, in his clear and calm voice, repeated the words … “Just a minute.” Although I said nothing, I sat a bit annoyed with having to wait, not taking into consideration that my Dad was appreciating the moment and what was on offer for him to learn.
Our next stage was to begin measuring and marking the wood so that it could be cut into the correct sizes to be assembled. I went into auto pilot mode and started to measure at fast speed with a simple metal ruler. My Dad asked if I was checking the measurements from both sides, as he had noticed that the wood panels were slightly raised and that this fact could alter the accuracy. I wasn’t sure what he meant and replied, “…I think so.” Within minutes my Dad appeared with a tape measure and with a steady voice showed me the importance of taking your time and measuring both sides of the wood to achieve accuracy, as this was the difference, he said, between a balanced or lopsided table.
After stopping for a cuppa and a quick bite to eat, I presumed we would continue with the cutting and assembling process. My Dad replied… “That’s it for today. I need to sit and draw the measurements and we can start cutting tomorrow morning. This will give me time to check that all the blades are working and I have all the tools ready to go in the morning.” I stood a bit confused, slightly annoyed, as I had a plan in my head of having this finished within the day. I hesitated a bit and then agreed and headed home.
For the rest of the day this agitation stayed with me. I sat wondering why there was tension in my body and what was my investment in having to have these pieces completed quickly when there was no deadline. I knew that I had given the job to a person who would produce an incredible piece of woodwork for all who visited the park to enjoy, but the speed to complete the process was leaving me feeling uncomfortable.
The next morning I woke and read the following quote from a book by Serge Benhayon “If everything is energy, therefore, everything is BECAUSE of energy.” (Serge Benhayon, Esoteric Teachings & Revelations, p 220)
A big ouch moment was felt. I was driven by the energy of doing and my Dad stayed steady in the energy of being.
I could feel how the doing was running my body whilst my Dad stayed consistent with himself and did what was needed on that day, nothing more and nothing less. Being with himself was paramount, as this was the quality of energy the work would be completed in.
Day Two: Cutting Stage
I arrived early to begin the cutting stage. My Dad had already positioned all the wood panels on the large working bench and had his assortment of safety gear ready to go. I watched how he planned each move so that he was taking care of his body, whilst at the same time working with the heavy and loud machinery. He asked me to sand the pieces and encouraged me to wear a pair of safety glasses and gloves to avoid injury and any splinters.
I had noticed that on day two as I was coming to work on the project, I was starting to truly appreciate being with my Dad in the process. There was an ease in which the cutting stage was completed. Our communication was clear and each part of the process moved with clear precision and flow. The urgency that I felt the day before was gone, as I was now more aware of staying present with the moment, and stood back openly to hear my Dad’s suggestions on how to assemble the items we had worked together to build. We stopped again for a cuppa and a bite to eat and this time I noticed that I was not hungry and did not need to numb the feelings that I had the previous day. The agitation and push was not there and neither was the feeling to distract myself with food.
My Dad then mapped out the floor space in his work shed, placed all the pieces on the floor, like a large Lego construction site, and locked the shed door saying… “Tomorrow is the best part. That’s when it all comes together and you get to see your hard work.” It was humbling to hear my Dad appreciate and settle into the joy he would experience the next day. He was in no hurry to complete what he knew was a process that would be worth the wait.
Day Three: Assembling Stage
I unexpectedly arrived slightly later on the third day and thought my Dad would be up already assembling the play equipment. Surprisingly, he waited until I arrived and said… “Jobs like these are a two man job. You can’t beat the precision that comes from two people getting the job done.”
So together, like the foundation of the previous day, we assembled two amazing nature play pieces for our local park community with ease, precision and incredible accuracy.
I sat, extremely blessed to have shared in this moment with my Dad. I stopped to appreciate the incredible levels of patience and craftsmanship he had shown in moulding each piece of wood and the steady pace that he worked at to prevent errors, and how he honored himself in each step with rest and reflection.
My Dad was truly inspiring in his actions and was a great reflection that reminded me of the works of Serge Benhayon and the Ancient Wisdom, teaching us of the true power of working with an energetic quality that serves all.
The nature playground equipment now nestles amongst the trees in the local park that I pass each day. The way in which this was made – the care, dedication and precision of my Dad and his skills – is truly a blessing for each child that engages in its true purpose to play!
By Anonymous
Further Reading:
Washing my Car: a Lesson in Appreciation and Self-Care
‘The Joy of Ageing, Esoterically’
The fall of ‘quality’, the rise of a Quality
This to me is such a beautiful sharing
‘I could feel a bit of agitation in my body. I was going into the ‘get it done’ mode and my Dad, in his clear and calm voice, repeated the words … “Just a minute.” Although I said nothing, I sat a bit annoyed with having to wait, not taking into consideration that my Dad was appreciating the moment and what was on offer for him to learn.’
I know those moments of agitation in my body and I have found to stop and ask myself what is going on? What is my body showing me is so incredibly supportive to go deeper to pick apart the anxiousness so that it has less of an impact on me. We can so easily get caught in the anxiousness, and then we are not ourselves and live from reaction not a settlement.
The attention to detail and precision of your Dad’s working and his appreciation of the materials he was working with will be felt by every child who enjoys playing in the park.
Different aspects of life touch us differently, we can all see the beauty in various things which another person may not be able to – for some people it’s working with children, for other people it’s working in hospitals and third it can be nature, wood, or even cement and concrete. Who are we to judge what is what and for whom? We can only learn and appreciate, look at it and see the beauty in places we have not before.
What a great blog, as we can all take a leaf out of the book of revelations you have shared about your dad.
Rushing a task these days feels really horrible. Giving it the right amount of space to look after yourself while it gets done helps bring a quality of care into it that can be felt by others.
So True Leigh, when we bring integrity to what we do this energy is felt, as is shared in the blog with the Serge quote.
We all could (the world), have something to learn from your dad. He sounds and feels like a very beautifull man and I concur what others have shared in the comments in that I would love to spend a few days with him too, I feel there is a lot he could teach me and certainly much to appreciate in and with him. Moments like this are so precious and magical ✨
There is much we can learn from your Dad, anonymous. Getting anything done in quality means no rush, push or drive.
Everyday I wake up loving my dad more, the more older I get the more I deeply appreciate him and all his amazing qualities.
Yes and to deeply appreciate and confirm the quality sets the standard for a way of life.
What an opportunity for so much appreciation. Firstly of the connection with your dad, secondly of the skills he brings, and thirdly of the importance of the difference between rushing a job to get it done and truly honouring the quality in a job that will last for many more years.
Lucy I agree with you the care and detail that went into the project has such a depth of quality to it that surely it can be felt and appreciated by everyone that uses the playground equipment. In the doing there is no quality the quality comes from our innermost connection with ourselves that’s the most delicious quality of all.
I love how we can be such a great reflection and inspiration for those around us, this blog is a lovely example of that.
To begin and complete a project with love, care, attention and without hurry is the way to be. We can all learn much from your father’s steady thoughtful. considered way and apply it to our own lives, from taking a shower or bath, preparing a meal or cleaning our homes. What is important is the quality we bring to each.
kehinde2012 I have just completed my first business trip abroad and what I noticed is that everyone is still in that energy of hurrying got to get somewhere, do something, so much agitation and nervous energy being used. The world stopped for 2 years by all governments and then the green light to restart was given and everyone seems to have gone straight into drive mode if not more so to try and catch up from where they left off. What is missing is the quality that we do something in and with. We want everything to return back to ‘normal’ but ‘normal’ is not working and will never work, what is still missing is the quality of our everyday movements.
It is a beautiful thing to watch a person who works in absolute harmony, their movements can reflect such precision and grace.
This is a great reminder for us all, of the truth that we are all are beholders of wisdom and the more we are open to the wisdom of another the more we as a humanity will evolve together. We have so much to learn from each other and support and inspire each other with.
I love this; ‘ Being with himself was paramount, as this was the quality of energy the work would be completed in.’ It makes me realise that I get caught up in the doing and being busy rather than staying with me and moving in my naturally gentle and calm way.
I really love reading about your dad and the integrity, precision and care that he works with – this is truly inspiring.
You’re blog reminds me of the saying everything in it’s right place. I think today we can be increasingly impatient to get things done and move onto the next thing and we are loosing the sense of when things need to be done and the art of working hard that the older generation seemed to naturally espouse.
Yes there is a sense of order and precision that comes when everything happens when it is supposed to happen. That doesn’t mean slowly, it means being sensitive to the movements that lead to the completion of the task at hand.
I love that there are life lessons everywhere, and we can if we are open learn at any moment, appreciate, love, refine who we are and our relationship with the world and humanity. In any moment.
Agree Samantha – openness is the key for us all to deepen our relationships with ourselves, with others and with life in order for us as a humanity to evolve.
I have learnt so much from my father, there is real steadiness from my parents that I so appreciate. My dad has such a great sense of humour and will always make me laugh.
Being open to the love that others share in their own way is one of the absolute magical and wonderful things about life.
In recent months I have witnessed the absolute playfulness and tenderness of my father with the arrival of a new grandchild. Showing the reflection in both the young and old of the deep delicateness that men hold!
We all have the tools to deliver divinity naturally. Just avoid getting caught up in stress and panic – stay steady with our body and we’ll help produce experiences crafted with Love and truth.
Wow what a blessing that was for you to experience with your father. I just adore spending time with our elders and experiencing their wisdom that they have to pass on. The level of integrity that a lot of them live to is a marker of their generation, the commitment to giving it your all and doing the best you can in what ever you are doing, right to the end. When I stop and look at today and the younger generations coming through there is a marked difference as to how they are living life and what they are committing to.
I love this, your dad sounds gorgeous, we can learn so much from one another – society is filled with much distrust and critic for another, when we break down these boundaries and actually see the divinity in another we can not but learn. Together we Evolve.
Reading this article makes me realise how inspiring our elders can be and what important role models they can be for younger generations. I have elders in my life that work with care, gentleness and integrity and this is very beautiful to see and be inspired by.
Anonymous, I really love reading this article. I can feel that the way your dad worked – with care, dedication and precision and no rush or drive is a beautiful way to work and a way that is an inspiration for younger generations. People like your dad are much needed role models to show that it is the quality not the speed that is important.
Living in a country like England with all the history and very old buildings it is plain to see we have lost a lot of true craftsmanship over the years as the trade off for cheaper buildings that are not built to last takes over. It is so important to appreciate true craftsmanship and be inspired by past generations not to lose this way of doing things completely.
We forget the importance of time and quality in this day and age. I appreciate reading this as it shows how important it is to focus, give something space and complete it in full. How often does that apply to society today? Rare it seems
That is very true and to notice the sense of enjoyment or even joy.
The combination of love and absolute attention to detail is very powerful.
We can learn so much from others, all we need to do is be open and willing to see Gods spark thats in all of us.
There are so many different expressions of divinity.
How beautiful to have experienced such a learning and sharing with your dad, perhaps a man with no formal qualifications but at master in living life, thank you for sharing this with us Anonymous it was a joy to read.
What a great sharing and you can truly see from generation to generation where things have become so instant that the respect, care and attention to detail has been lost in the way we are in life. The quality in which we go about life and what we do has an immediate effect on not only ourselves but all those around us.
A true craftsmen focuses not on the end product, but on the process that will eventually take him there.
This is then the quality that one receives both in the workmanship and energetic integrity.
I sincerely love this blog, reading the warmth of your Dad, his skill, your love for him and the learning you encountered through the process is gold… ‘A big ouch moment was felt. I was driven by the energy of doing and my Dad stayed steady in the energy of being.’ Re-learning to be in the quality of being, as we were as kids, can be a challenge when we have let the energy of doing take over. But your Dad is a beautiful reminder that not all adults have lost this art and have remained in touch with this steadiness.
So beautiful to read, the joy and steadiness of how your Dad worked with a quality of presence that reflected in a job well done, leaving an energetic quality for children to feel and enjoy.
When I feel a level of urgency to complete something I can often go into drive and in that quality what is done lacks the fullness of who we are.
My dad taught me how to drive a tractor… I still use these lessons in driving a car… Especially how to steer with your knees 🙂
I love this story and the unhurried way your dad approached the project, with no drive and no need to prove anything
Living each moment and being connected to all the elements is the pure gold that is then offered to those who will use this in their playground.
If we built ‘our house’ on our innate qualities instead of the skills we aquire, we’d have a solid foundation for life. Too often we take for granted what’s seemless for us yet it’s that which is important and not the rest.
Anonymous, this is so interesting to read; ‘I could feel how the doing was running my body whilst my Dad stayed consistent with himself and did what was needed on that day, nothing more and nothing less. Being with himself was paramount, as this was the quality of energy the work would be completed in.’ I can feel that it is common for us to go into the doing and completing what we need to do as quickly as possible and that this can compromise the level of care and precision that goes into our work, it can also compromise us staying in our natural rythum and enjoying what we are doing.
If we allow others space for their own expression instead of imposing our own agenda or expectations on them we can be deeply inspired by the lived quality of them.
Everything has it’s own rhythm and cycle and our body is the master of it. So if we adhere to and honour our body the beauty will unfold naturally and without effort.
How beautiful. A master class not only in woodwork but in life. It goes to show that it is never too late to get to understand someone at a deeper level, even a parent who you would naturally presume you already knew so very well.
Knowing one another only gets deeper when we are willing to appreciate ourselves in the same quality.
This reminds me of what is possible when you connect with another and understand what they bring while also knowing what you bring, and allowing the magic and all that is possible in combining your qualities to produce a value in a product that will be felt.
Imagine attending a school where there was the space to allow each child’s process and pace, and a focus on connection and feeling what is needed rather than the pressure of getting through a syllabus or passing assessments. I think we can learn a lot from others like your Dad who understands working in harmony.
To observe someone who is so present with any task or particular way of working is an absolute joy – my whole body re-configures to harmony within a very short while.
I love coming back to this blog and feeling the warmth and heart of your Dad, anonymous. The love just comes pouring through your words and it is so enriching and filling to feel. Thanks for sharing.
Our judgements and pre-dispositions prevent us from understanding the gold that is within each and every one of us.
The judgement laces the true potential to love one another that often falls short off the mark of the simplicity we are offered to live in communities resulting instead in the comparison and jealousy that riddles all forms of communication.
When I re-visit this article I am always touched by the quality I feel from the way you observed and honoured the qualities you saw in your dad as he worked. A point of inspiration for my day.
This allows us to feel and recognise the quality of the relationships we have with one another and to stop often to honour and appreciate them.
It is great when we clock and feel tension in our bodies, and then bring understanding as to why it is there, ‘ I sat wondering why there was tension in my body and what was my investment in having to have these pieces completed quickly when there was no deadline.’
I wonder if your Dad shouldn’t teach carpentry lessons? I know that I would so appreciate being taught by someone who has such a love for what they are doing and so why wouldn’t they enjoy
taking their time preparing and then there’s the delight in coming to the fulfillment of a job well done.
This blog is a beautiful sharing, how your dad built the playground equipment was so gorgeous and inspiring, and yes, he could teach and inspire many.
Who needs TV when there is so much to share, teach, listen to and learn from one another! All of those reality TV shows are put to shame by what can happen in a conversation or by watching someone work…
The inspiration that is offered by another with our daily routines and interactions teach us so much about life and what can be lived by others with no perfection or ideals to fill.
My dad taught me once how to put up fences on the farm, I had seen these fences every day of my life to that point but to be actually shown how it was done by a master was something else, there was a lot of precision involved as well and learning the way to tie up the wire so it looked neat and wouldn’t slip and the footings for the strainer posts so they would stay straight for years to come. So many things in life we can look at and take for granted without appreciating the time effort and precision that goes into them.
My Dad taught me the joy of gardening. It was never a chore as he would attend to the plants with an effortless manner and it became part of his rhythm.
I absolutely loved reading this saga on, there is so much to learn from the pace and precision your father took, I would be a bit like you ! It’s great to appreciate and learn from others wisdom and loved way.
Anonymous, I really love reading this article, it makes me appreciate the care and dedication that it is possible to work with, when I work in a careful, loving way it feels amazing, if I rush to get the job done, the quality is not there and I make mistakes and the work has not been enjoyable.
The feel of your blog is so yummy, Anonymous. The feel of your agitation on the first day slowly turning in to appreciation on the second feels such a loving process you allowed yourself. Your feeling blessed by the third day and being able to appreciate the teaching your father brought forth ‘of the true power of working with an energetic quality that serves all’ is a blessing for us all – as it is also ‘…truly a blessing for each child that engages in its true purpose to play!’ Exquisite.
It’s so common to try to run up the career ladder as quickly as possible going from better job to better job with more and more pay. But if we have not taken care of the quality of our work in each job before we move on what are we taking with us and what foundation have we built?
Sometimes we miss the true beauty of someone because it’s been there our whole life. Or perhaps it’s just familiar and usual for you to see. It’s crucial we don’t forget how exceptional we are, and keep enjoying and appreciating the beauty that comes our way. Why should it be rare and occasional when it could be our everyday? Thank you Anonymous and your Dad for this great blog.
‘ “Just a minute.” Although I said nothing, I sat a bit annoyed with having to wait, not taking into consideration that my Dad was appreciating the moment and what was on offer for him to learn.’ I love how your father wasn’t being swayed by any push to get on with things, knowing that allowing space to communicate what’s needed is actually what brings the quality of work through. This is a wonderful reminder for me as I can get caught up in doing to get things done but not stopping to align to a quality that will be supportive for all.
I would totally definitely like to work with your Dad. There is so much for me to learn here about working respectfully, spaciously and in honour of the quality of what is to be done… thank you for sharing what you learnt alongside him.
Love the space your dad affords himself, it very much ‘sets the scene’ for the job to hold the full skill and steady quality he brings – so much respect for what is being delivered.
What a beautiful learning with your father and such a confirmation that there is much that we can learn of each other. Particularly the elders have so much wisdom that they can pass on. Awesome to be able to learn and grow from one another.
I absolutely LOVE and adore the wisdom and the space I feel around the older generation. It is a sad reflection on our society that we have elder abuse.
I love returning to this delightful blog as it brings back memories of my father who used to carve. I remember being in awe of his patience, his stillness and the fact that there was no rush, no having to get it done quickly but simply to allow the piece he had felt the impulse to bring into form slowly begin to unfold. When I look at some of those carvings now, I can still feel the love and the magic that flowed from his hands.
Yes it is great to honour when something needs to be done and not rush it in any way. Because it is not only about the end result but even more so about the quality we live in each day and when we have to rush we do not have a great quality in our bodies.
Now that’s what I call family. Not the fact you are blood related by the fact that you learnt together in space.
I too have noticed this energy of doing used to creep in, and can occasionally still appear, it’s an old pattern I am saying no to, ‘A big ouch moment was felt. I was driven by the energy of doing and my Dad stayed steady in the energy of being.’ How wonderful to see and feel this.
What a powerful reflection from your father of the quality he brings to his daily life that is naturally brought to every detail of this project ,
I love your precise observations of every detail in how your dad approached the work that had to be done and how you learnt to appreciate every detail along the way in this whole process of working together with your dad.
What a blessing for you and your dad to work together and to appreciate the blessing it is bringing to the children using it in their play.
Absolutely gorgeous to read, why is there any need for drive or to strive for ideal Goals, when as you said, when each step is taken with its full care, than all that is needed is done.
“Jobs like these are a two man job. You can’t beat the precision that comes from two people getting the job done.”- I have been starting to ask for help more at work lately, even though I regularly get teased for this with statements like “That’s a one man job, even though it’s a pain in the butt, you can manage it yourself”. But this no longer bothers me and it feels great to allow myself to ask for a helping hand with my mechanic work and almost every time I do this the job actually goes smoother, quicker, and much safer than trying to over-muscle something in an awkward way. It seems like a logical thing to do, but so many men have bought into the ideal that they have to look tough with their mates, instead of honouring their tenderness.
Michael I witnessed this recently with some teenagers, the boys and young men were in that ‘pack energy’ where they feel they have to act tough when they are around their mates. It’s a horrible energy to feel, but they way they have been raised means that they are disconnected to their sensitivity when they were young. Society stereo types boys from a very young age to be tough, it’s horrible we mould boys from very young to be the opposite of the gentleness they naturally are.
Sometimes it just needs one person to show us how to be in stillness and provide space. This is such a gorgeous reflection at a time when everyone is in a rush to fit things in. There is a deep quality that comes with focus and detail of each moment, and a sense of completion that is so settling in the body.
What an inspiring read from the lived life of our elders.
Amazing, I love this blog. There is so much we can learn from the wisdom of elders and the beautiful way, knowing and steadiness with which your Dad delivered this. This reflection of quality is much needed today in our times when we are in such an ‘instant’ and ‘racey’ society. There is something very settling about the wisdom he offers.
How many of us don’t appreciate all that is there to be appreciated? So much is done these days on a budget with little to do with quality so to be shown a lesson like your dad has shown us here is priceless. Rock on your Dad and may quality and precision take back its rightful place in society.
A beautiful sharing surrender and how the space, clarity and quality are then interconnected to bring true purpose to life. Simply awesome thank you Anonymous.
Quality changes everything, what a beautiful expression of this from your Dad.
“My Dad was truly inspiring in his actions and was a great reflection that reminded me of the works of Serge Benhayon and the Ancient Wisdom, teaching us of the true power of working with an energetic quality that serves all.” Indeed, it is this energetic quality that counts as everything, no matter what we do, for it is that which communicates what another will feel and therefore respond or react to. And it is here that our energetic responsibility lies.
It is deeply inspiring when somebody brings a deep level of care and dedication to what they do. It supports and nourishes us all.
Live complete in yourself and what you’ll craft is a life which builds trust with those you meet. Completion of our every move builds a satisfaction inside that no trinket or prize can beat. Thank you Anonymous and your Dad for this moving blog.
There is something about this blog that I find very reassuring. Perhaps it’s because in this fastpaced world of ours, where everything is rushed and done on the cheap, that there are still talented craftsmen out there who are willing to take their time and care over a project, with such love and dedication that leaves a huge amount of inner satisfaction?
Reading this blog was truly healing for me since I have had almost identical experiences with my dad as a kid, but never truly stopped and appreciated what his incredible patience, timing, and care was offering me at the time. I was too busy just getting anxious about the project taking so long and not fitting the picture I had of when it would be completed, feeling he was just being too fussy. The irony is that now, in my work as a mechanic I find myself working more and more in that way that my father has, with the utmost care and attention to every little detail. This beautiful blog really helped to honour both my dad and myself in regards to the way we work, and now I ironically have other work mates acting like I did to my father as a kid!
It is such a joy to live and work in adherence to the energy that holds the essence of our being as is so inspirational and confirming described in this blog.
There are so many divine qualities displayed in this process, Anonymous, such as precision, patience, wisdom and loving care. What a blessing to have master craftsmen like your dad in the world.
I love feeling the space your dad gave to the job and how this allowed it to be the quality it was. The healing the children and everyone that uses the wood pieces will get with such care and quality is huge.
The great thing about ageing is the knowledge gained from living life and a history of making mistakes and learning from them. There are a lot of things in life that can not be fully taught from books but are always best learnt from living them.
This is gorgeous, I can feel your deep appreciation for your dad and its infectious.
I’ve read this a couple of times and really love feeling the quality, appreciation, joy, precision and love with which your father worked. So deeply inspiring. Thank you.
Care, quality and reflection.. what beautiful qualities your Dad showed you through his careful and considerate working style. Everything in its own time.
Reading your words again today Anonymous, I am reminded how Jesus was a carpenter too. Though sometimes this might seem like an ingsignificant fact, it seems beautifully relevant to what you say. For I feel what it symbolises is that each of us is building life, constructing each moment with the quality we choose. And so your Dad’s skills and way is something to which we can all relate – and understand we can take our time, bringing integrity to what we are needed to do.
Can we have more blogs about your Dad and your relationship with your dad … I really love this blog.
Yes please as it is these blogs that bring a deeper understanding of how our elders continue to bring us some much understanding about living in the moment that is missing in our current world.
Me too. I am touched by the humility on offer and the wisdom of letting things unfold naturally and without drive.
Beautiful to return to this blog, and a pertinent reminder that it is quality not quantity that counts.
I love this line “Jobs like these are a two man job. You can’t beat the precision that comes from two people getting the job done” – working with another like this brings a sense of connection to each other that is worth it’s weight in gold.
I have found that if I type on the laptop in the way I was taught at secretarial college I naturally type much more gently albeit more slowly. I feel it is to do with focus and whether my focus is in my body to carry out my movements or if they are a directive from the head.
With the seasonal pressure on at this time of year in certain work environments, like retail, this is a great blog to read to remind ourselves to not get caught up in the pressure and drive to get it all done, but to focus on our energetic quality and the work will flow.
It’s beautiful to feel your appreciation for your Dad in what you wrote Anonymous, it reminds me that we take for granted so easily the lovely qualities of those close to us, including ourselves. When we choose just to be without the pictures you describe, gosh it’s so much easier to see the bigger picture. When we go into drive, we get tunnel vision that means we forget the essential thing in life – Love.
Anonymous, thank you for sharing this appreciation for your dad and how he worked with such care and honouring, this is very beautiful to read. I can feel how so often we rush to get things done rather than enjoying the process and working in a way that cares for and honours our body.
I just loved coming back to this blog. I find it heart-warming, that the love for craft; a way of delivering it -encompassing patience, understanding and care is applied and lived by your Dad. So many of us can learn from his example.
Wow, this was so lovely and humbling to read. It reminded me of how often I rush to get things done yet also showed me that the energetic quality in which the task is carried out is so integral to the quality of the finished product. Thank you Anonymous for sharing your experience and giving others the opportunity to enjoy and reflect on what you have offered.
Gorgeous quality of detail, precision and space in this blog. Thank you.
I’m sure that the appearance of this playground equipment is gorgeous to be seen, as much as the deep care, love, joy, learning, collaboration, connection,… all what you shared together with the purpose of building it, remains there, emanating its quality for all to enjoy and be blessed by it.
What I love is that you didn’t just walk away with a new skill, you walked away with a greater understanding of life and quality in how you do things, as well as the skill of how to do it. Is it possible that our focus is too much on just gaining skills and knowledge and being able to do and perform, without consideration of the quality of that doing?
Every time I read this blog I feel blessed by the beauty in which it was written and the lesson that was learnt from your dad.
The energy of being feels very loving and surrendering and the energy of doing feels rushed and pushed. This is a very good reminder for me.
I hear so many stories of the past and how people felt like there was more time and space. It goes to show that we have asked for a society where everything happens instantly, and as a result, we feel this tension. What an amazing gift you observed in your dad -to see that quality holds such a place and purpose.
It has been brought to my attention recently how much I say to myself ‘that will do’. As long as I get by I am not taking care to do everything to the best of my ability. Where is the integrity in that? It is pure compromise. It has been a great exposure and one I will now be working with. This blog is a great example of taking care to the tiniest degree. A great inspiration.
I have learnt so much from my mum, her work ethic and experience that she has shared with me, both how to do things but also how not to do things, learning from her mistakes so I don’t have to make them myself.
There is so much beauty and healing to be had from something we have made with the fullness of us and the absolute loving quality that can only come from aligning to true purpose and a willingness to serve.
I love what you share in this blog – and the responsibility it would kindle in adults and our older generation if we made it far more tangibly obvious just how much we pass down to our children and those around us. If we took an 8 year old into work, do we want to show them that their life is going to be nothing more than a stressful grind, or living for the weekends, or for your next cup of coffee to keep you going? Would we not want to pass on integrity in work, passion and understanding and love for whatever we do – and to pass this on we have to choose first to live it for ourselves.
Your dad is so awesome and so wise anonymous. I learned so much reading this blog regarding my habit of doing without being in the appreciation of the process – for it is that very beingness that ultimately builds the quality in all that we do.
What a gorgeous lesson this story tells us of patience, and how your father shows us that with patience, there can be appreciation – and a job well done!! Some things are worth the humble wait.
Your dad is an amazing role model Anonymous and is truly worth appreciating for the quality, care and steadiness with which he goes about getting the work done without getting caught up in what is expected but staying in his own rhythm and flow to complete the job. And what a beautiful energetic imprint for the children to feel when they are at this nature playground.
I love the beauty and, dare I say, majesty of this contribution – a reminder for all of us that there is another way to work that comes from our being first and foremost, that honours the body and the product and blesses everyone who comes into contact with … either.
There is love in the details, God is in the details, I know that the more I have given gentle observation to the details in life the more I have been able to feel and connect with myself and others, there is a depth of appreciation that builds being aware of the details, order and flow in life.
I really appreciate the natural flow and order in which you describe the way your dad approaches a piece of work.
We get so much when we work with others, nothing beats true connection, the journey of working together and a common purpose.
Wow, if everyone took as much care in their work as your Dad does this world would be a very different place.
The wisdom of a life lived and learnt from is priceless. This is true elder energy.
Your Dad is a great teacher.
This blog reminds me also of times that I have been impatient with others because in my mind they are going too slow and taking their time which felt painful for me because in my head I just wanted it done and I thought I could do it better or faster, so I was in the tension of not being in control of the situation.
I just love the humility, wisdom and understanding offered by your dad in this… no university or education can give you what was shared over those few days.
A beautiful sharing and appreciation of your dad and his patience , connection knowing of what he was doing and his way of living that supports this with no compromise is very special and a real reflection for us all to simply be and honour all we are and can bring to the world.
There is a beautiful and humbling sense that I have when reading this piece about your dad and his way of working. And I can see how precision and contemplative rest can be parts of the every day in every activity. And how it does not matter the result or the outcome, whether something has been built, constructed or made. Whether there is an end piece for everyone to admire or not. The truth lives in the approach, the intent, the quality of movement and thought. This is where perhaps life really is, deep down below the surface where all our actions rise up from and in the end actually create our world in every possible level.
What a beautiful sharing and illustration of the difference of being in the moment with presence, patience, and all that is needed is offered, the precision, the quality, the joy. But when we go into doing energy, we rush to achieve the goal and override the in between. This is true craftsmanship – we are all potentially craftsmen so to speak if we are in that moment with what we are doing rather than just going for the end results.
Also is the beauty of the relationship we have with each other as the writer did with their father, that too would have been missed. How many of us miss having a real connection with another because WE were too busy rushing onto the next thing.
In the end its all about quality.
Yep, ‘quality first’ with everything and the results that follow will have the quality of connection.
The order and flow that your Dad worked with is so inspiring.
I love how your father brought equal importance to the steps along the way as he did to the end result.
I loved reading this article and I feel a lot of older people would love it too. It is deeply honouring of the wisdom. experience, care and lack of rush taken by some older people. There is a dismissal of these qualities in our fast paced society, which is not to the benefit of us all.
I learnt so much from reading this about pace and being with the task in a way that allows full enjoyment of every stage. Absolutely beautiful.
This is a beautiful reminder to bring energetic quality to everything we do, the purpose, the precision and commitment your father bought to this project is a shining example for us all. What a healing you received working alongside your father so dedicated and true in his intent, now all who visit the park are blessed with this loving imprint.
I love the patience and allowing that your father showed in these interactions. The feeling that each moment had its own natural order and flow to lead to the completion of the piece being made.
This blog is beautiful in so many ways. From the honesty with which it is written in, to the point of observing and deeply appreciating the level of skill of a master craftsman and knowing that the level of care and attention to all details not only assists in building the playground but that it will serve all those who play in their for years to come.
What a beautiful blog sharing the magic of appreciation and love with the steadiness and flow of presence in the moment and all this allows if we open ourselves to this. A powerful sharing to really appreciate others and working together with this.
It is truly inspiring to be around someone or in the presence of someone who is very steady and present in the moment so that they move with a flow and ease and know exactly what needs to happen next. What I love about this blog is how you changed your own movements to be more in line with your dad’s because of the inspiration he was offering just through his presence and his movements – beautiful.
I love this “You can’t beat the precision that comes from two people getting the job done.” When we work together we bring so much more, different angles and experiences, when we appreciate that we are very powerful.
What is shared here is beautiful – a reconnecting to how we move from with-in. Being caught in the pace of life that is outside of us is a potential set up for many unhealthy and harsh thoughts against ourselves and others. I work with people in aged care and it becomes very clear that doing one thing at a time is enough, the same as children – there is wisdom and both ends, it’s the middle years that can miss out in our hast to ‘live’.
It is difficult for most of us to be with tension. I am realizing more and more the different ways each of us have to release this uncomfortable feeling. Eating is one of them and there are so many more: having sex, having a bath, going into an argument, alcohol ect. Just being with the feeling is on my experimenting list this week.
It’s always a beautiful experience to learn from an elder in the community.
“Over the next 3 days I had the privilege of working and standing in deep appreciation of this man and his relationship with wood and the craftsmanship of carpentry.” I love how its the quality of his movements, his care that you appreciate most, its a great thing for me to reflect on as I am experimenting appreciating not what I do but the quality in my movements first.
I love this blog. It shows the importance of taking time and space to do a good job. It shows that being rushed is actually a lazy way to work.
Absolutely, it either supports us to be all of us and allows us to ‘be’, or it cuts us short and almost forces ‘push’ upon us.
What a beautiful example of making it about quality first and foremost instead of making it about the end result.
I bet your dad felt great in himself and in his body after finishing this. The body is the most precise marker in letting us know whether we pushed and got drained and or hardened or whether we stayed in flow with the rhythm of everything.
I squirm a bit reading this article because I know I would be twitchy about time and getting things done. I can also feel the blessing of working with a true craftsmen and feeling the value and grace of the space afforded to take care of every detail.
I was walking past a prefab temporary office on the set of a movie and I couldn’t help but notice the steps that had been crafted to the entry of it. I would have liked to meet the person that made these steps because, because of the fact it was a temporary setup someone could have just knocked together something makeshift but these steps are a work of precision, a true work of art and you could just feel the care that went into them. and I couldn’t help but wonder if the person would ever know how much I appreciated the care he put in, even though I was just passing or if the people going in and out of that office ever appreciated the steps or even noticed them at all. It is beautiful when true care is part of what we do.
I remember a lovely man who was the father of a friend of mine and to me he was the ‘salt of the earth’ he was what we would call a paramedic today so he saw all of life and yet seemed unscathed by his experience. He loved his vegetable garden and grew all the vegetables for the family. He seemed to have a great respect for nature and to me was as solid as a rock; there was no sense of urgency about him he took his time with everything he did. I remember he always had a pipe to hand and the smell of the tobacco when he actually lit the pipe was actually very pleasant. He never said a great deal but when he did I always took notice because what he said made sense. He was a very gentle man, who loved being in nature and working with the soil and was at one with it.
Being able to not rush and still get the job done in a quality that is beholding, calm and still is the way to work and live. It takes time to re-master if we have spent the majority of our lives stressing, rushing and pushing.
‘…I could feel a bit of agitation in my body. I was going into the ‘get it done’ mode…’ I know this feeling well. It’s when I don’t take the time to listen, to feel the space and what is being communicated that’s way beyond what my narrow agenda is (narrow because it’s about what I want to happen and how- even if this includes some rational about being about doing the best for people at that moment I’m trying to ignore what the universe is communicating to me through whatever is ‘getting in my way’).
So this is so lovely to read and feel the wisdom your father gently provided and which I can connect to when I’m starting to go into ‘get it done mode’ which can include getting impatient with people driving slower than I think is necessary!
If the elderly accept and embrace the beauty that is within them and don´t see themselves as less than any younger generation, they are such a gift for this world. Like a rock- solid and trustworthy and an inspiration for everybody to focus on what is truly important in life.
I love the way your dad made the space – unfazed by any rush from yourself, or any pressure to get it right to look good or get recognised for his work, he gave you, himself and the work the space to grow and develop and culminate at the right time into the beautiful and supportive piece for the whole community.
I enjoyed coming back to this blog today as its a confirmation that to go at my own pace is just perfect for me.
“Jobs like these are a two man job. You can’t beat the precision that comes from two people getting the job done.” We are so strong, when we unite and do things together. What a beautiful lived proof of the fact.
Reading your blog, you can see, how in this very moment true wisdom can be at play. What a beautiful life story- that carries so many teachings. Very beautiful, thank you !!
Yes, I agree, a very powerful story about letting go, respecting and appreciating others and going with the flow.
The joy that shines out from this man’s face (in the photo) shines the joy of being. Of connection and absolute warm ease. Just love looking at this teacher of love.
It’s beautiful to appreciate when someone is truly present with the task before them. It’s a loving reminder to take a moment to re-connect to ourselves and All. When we do we then allow them the space to even deepen their presence, It’s such a yucky feeling to have someone breathing down our necks because they are ‘impatient’
What a great reminder, that life is never about the process of completion but sharing our time in the most Loving way possible so that the reflection is felt. So in reflecting and taking the time to ponder on what has been shared in this amazing blog we can all learn and evolve from how amazing we all can be when we give our-self enough space to move in a way that supports what is next.
A completely different product is created when the focus is on the quality, and not an individual’s outcome.
True, there is such a vast difference between doing or being in and with the process of doing something. The first one is for self- championing in what time you made it, setting your own challenge and when you succeed you are satisfied. You cannot feel a flow and letting go. If you keep being connected with your body and appreciate the process and how you are in the process, there is this dedication and non expectation and a flow that does not fit in the general speed of society.
This playground has not only blessed the children who play in it but it has blessed you and in turn has blessed all the readers of this blog. The blessing has been magnified by your deep appreciation of your father’s care, dedication to the project.
How awesome to get into the zone with your dad – it reminds me as well how everyone runs at a different pace and thus is able to reflect that back. Pretty cool that your old man was able to do that for you – and that you had the awareness and appreciation to take note.
Interesting that as I was ‘growing up’ I rejected so much that my father said and yet now I turn to him regularly for what he can share.
I can feel the space that the dad gave to the blog writer. Never leaving or disregarding his way , she or he could align to the energy when he or she was ready. We always have so much on offer. It just needs our YES, to step into it and experience the difference.
I love this blog. Full of true appreciation and the joy of working in harmony – super inspiring.
So very beautiful to feel how your Dad’s being-ness supported your doing-ness and your appreciation of what you were being offered. When we are open to learning new ways to live life harmoniously life has a wonderful way of unfolding without the hassle of pushing and drive.
Function and consumption – how so many of us move through life. The refections of people like your father are so essential to invite us to stop and feel the magic of flow and appreciation. This is a really powerful article that shows us the magic of God in the simplest and most accessible forms. Your dad and his carpentry is religion.
The power of the elder energy is a gift that we can all really learn from. I am blessed to have the support of an amazing older man in looking after our garden. He has taught me so much about patience and the natural flows of nature and cycles and seasons. As a result I have begun to really appreciate the science and magic of nature and now get as much pleasure from a bunch of brambles (a vital habitat and food supply for all sorts of beasties) as i do from a gorgeous flower. He is awesome.
‘To get things done’ quality goes out of the window. I am learning that the quality of my movements is what matters and not getting things done so that I can tick the boxes. To have no expectations and to place my focus on being present through the connection to myself are key. This then brings a greater awareness to the ripple effect I am living in the world.
I now have a deeper understanding and appreciation for the three C’s, commitment, consistency and completion. Very cool.
A beautiful sharing and appreciation of your father and the energy he maintained in the task at hand so steadily and a real marker for us all. The wisdom gained over a life time and patience and dedication is another reflection and appreciation of our elder years
Quality rather than quantity is what sustains us in life.
I love to come back and re read this blog, to feel the steady rhythm your Dad worked in.
I absolutely love how your dad showed no judgement whatsoever towards you for how you were or what you chose to do. In this was he was able to offer understanding and this is what gives the space to see and appreciate the learnings to be had from working with such an amazing man.
I have often observed this kind of steady presence in ‘old timers’. I have known some farmers and carpenters and woodsmen who always seemed to move slowly and with presence and yet they got a whole lot done and may get tired but never seem all-used-up.
Today’s world has been speeding up faster and faster and it feels to me that as far as the important foundational things we get a whole lot less done and we are wasted at the end of the day.
I agree Jo. My dad tells me stories of his dad and how he always did everything at the same pace, never rushing himself. I see these traits in my dad as well. We seem to think that we get more done if we rush around, but observing my dad, that’s not the case. Its great to see these wise ‘old timers’ in action, and a reminder to me to not get myself into a situation where I feel all used up.
When we stay in the energy of being there is a beautiful flow and a harmony that makes work a pure delight.
To observe a true craftsmen at work, in the way you did with your dad is an honour and a blessing.
The quality of the craftsmanship can be felt in the walls and floors of my home as each stage is
completed. Yesterday, it was the floors. And as I thanked the men who repaired, fitted, sanded and polished my floors, I was filled with immense appreciation of who they were and friendship formed with them over the weeks. Beautiful to connect fully with people who come into our homes to work and support us in whatever is needed. A true education in itself.
I have often felt agitated or got impatient with people I have worked with who have been, what I have thought too slow or meticulous, so this blog has been a great lesson for me for being a bit more patient and learning to see what is really there to unfold.
Taking your time, this is the perfect example of letting life come to you, not going chasing to complete tasks. The world has got itself into a big hurry, but do we actually get anywhere quicker by being faster. There is a lovely balance to be struck and what I feel in this writing is a description of something unfolding at exactly the pace that is needed.
“Carpentry – A Lesson on Energetic Quality from my 75 year old Dad” – love the way that wisdom continues to ripen in years to remain ripe in younger years too .. if only we took the fruit of what was before ; )
This is such a beautiful and humbling story. There is much to learn from everyone and quite often our greatest teachers teach us simply by reflection and the way they move. They don’t preach or try to get us to understand, they just go about their thing in their way.
Your dad reminds me of my mum – no qualifications as she left school very young and went to night school as an adult to scrape together some GCSE’s – and yet she is very high up in aviation and traveling the world with her I have learnt so much about how to be with and care for clients first above and beyond the sale, how to care for yourself in a busy international travel itinerary – there is so much we can learn from the experiences of those around us.
There is so much we can learn from our elders when we choose to simply observe and listen. Always so much wisdom on offer for us all as long as we are willing to be open to recieving it.
This beautiful piece paints such an absolutely divine picture of the wisdom and level of purpose we can come to in our older years, that we may not have got to when we were younger. A great inspiration for all especially the young and older generation.
Your father’s rhythm may not have been aligned to yours initially but the quality of it invited you to join it and what a blessing that was. I love your appreciation of the fact.
When I find myself cutting corners at work I think about this blog and it inspires me to take the time to do things thoroughly and with care.
Spot on Rebecca, we can all take a leaf out this discussion, as when we cut our self short in any situation we are making our-self lesser, so therefore contracting away from the Love we all are.
When we come from a drive to have things done we can get annoyed we are told that it needs time but in that we forget that we are being presented with space, a space that will present to us that there is more than just getting things done in the shortest time possible and that time actually does not matter at all, but instead that it is the quality things are done in what really makes the difference.
I love the steadiness and gentleness that your dad offers here. How he takes his time and creates space around the project with no rush or outcome. This is something that we don’t seem to see much of in today’s society or workplace, and yet what a fundamental and steady support this offers.
Your experience with your Dad was truly learning to be consciously present, and the result was you arrived at the end product stress free and with a feeling of having been part of something very loving and respectful. It is always the journey towards something that is the most important, and every true craftsman knows this. Those of us who rush through end up with an inferior result and a lot of dissatisfaction.
This would be a great blog to read to children as we as humanity fail to learn the lessons of our elders and previous generations despite the wisdom and answers they hold.
This amazing level of presence and patience in building something from scratch feels like a lost art in the midst of the digital age of instant gratification. How amazing would it be for young people to spend time with people like your dad, Anonymous?
So true Janet, instant gratification can seem to be totally acceptable and even encouraged.
“look at what needed fixing and before long, it was completed” – Being able to observe life and know what’s needed as the next step is an incredible skill, and something even more amazing than an academic certificate or ability to recall information… Should we not teach this in schools?
This blog reminds me of my father when I was younger, and I would watch him build things and the beauty of how he had an order and flow was so lovely. He always made things look easy.
I love watching and seeing tradespeople or those who work with their hands do their thing when they are people who work with integrity. There is so much to appreciate and learn.
I have felt for myself, being in the energy of ‘doing’ blinkers us to all the magic, support and wisdom that surrounds us.
This is an incredible story and your community will now be blessed by the addition from you and your father, not just from the physical object but the quality in every part of it.
We can easily dismiss the experience of the generations above us as we feel we know best or they don’ t fit our picture of what we expect but in doing so we miss the wisdom and invaluable learning which can be available from those who have learnt some of life’s lessons that perhaps we have not.
It is beautiful to read about someone taking their time, to take care and to be precise. This is inspiring because in the hectic rush of life these qualities often get left behind.
This is such a beautiful blog reflecting how when we move in alignment with a flow and with purpose our bodies are left to move and be in a way that supports it to be all that it truly is without any effort or tension.
The wisdom your dad brings has really inspired me to consider how I am at work in a completely different field. Sure there are statutory deadlines to adhere to but so much is there that could have a far greater flow if I were to tune into what is needed and not get caught up in getting things done because then it’s done. I do consider the flow but this can be deepened to a far greater degree and actually reduce work-load because things are done when the person is ready to receive it.
I can’t help but feel how your Dad intimately knew that there was an order and flow that was to be honoured for this play equipment to truly serve. What a wonderful sharing – thank you.
I am finding more that, there are many people who know the order and flow of things, but are not stopping to appreciate and confirm this for themselves. We get caught in the doing and forget to appreciate.
Far more important than time is quality of movements.
That is a beautiful and humbling story. I feel so blessed to have shared your little three day experience with us. I really felt like I could relate to you being a bit pushy and wanting a fast result, your Dad had a very settled energy and remained steady, which was super inspiring. It was also awesome that you were able to settle and enjoy the process and connection with your Dad.
How inspiring to come to understand your Dad in this way – to not react but to truly appreciate him not only as a craftsman but as the amazing man he truly is.
Absolutely gorgeous to read Anonymous… life experience is so valuable and so inspiring when shared. Our elders in the community have so much to offer the world.
When we set a rhythm and our movements comply then we naturally keep things simple and never go into a rush. What is shared is that the timber is shown decency and respect so it will live in its newly constructed form to be of service.
Great point, Greg. There is respect here for the tools, the wood, his son/daughter he’s working with, and importantly, himself.
Yes I am so with you here Michelle, and I love this word ‘unflappability’ – it describes it very well.
I love how you describe the steadfastness in your dad and his workings as surely he will have felt the desire to ‘do’ from you Anonymous, yet he stayed with himself throughout the whole process well knowing the quality of what he brings in the way he does things far outweighs any urgency or drive to get it done quickly. Awesome sharing, thank you.
A truly inspiring blog about ” … the true power of working with an energetic quality that serves all.”
Anonymous, I love reading this article, it is very beautiful to read about the care and patience with which your dad worked, this seems to be a rare thing nowadays, this dedicated and honouring way of working seems almost ‘old fashioned’. From what I observe currently there seems to be so much pressure to do things as quickly as possible and the work can often be given priority over us honouring ourselves and our need to rest or to go at a pace that is natural for us.
Your dad is a great role model for energetic integrity…. to apply this in every aspect of our lives would truly be an amazing thing. The thing that struck me most was his absoluteness in the way he chose to work that was caring, considered and unhurried.
We have made ‘education’ something in a book, or these days an online course. But what your words remind me Anonymous is how much we truly learn from being around someone else and observing ‘on the job’. When we watch we don’t just get skills but the quality and philosophy the person lives. This makes a greater impression than we could ever imagine on us. This blog shows how we are all educators in the way we live and what we choose. By connecting and spending time with others we can build something more powerful than any text book ever made.
To not strive for the outcome but knowing the result is already assured through the quality and steps being done one after the other is deeply relaxing as it allows you to be and not be caught in the doing.
I love the way you have captured it Alex. “Knowing the result is already assured through the quality and steps being done one after the other”. It is so simple. The quality and the steps is all that counts and all that is needed.
I love the way you have taken the opportunity to truly appreciate the wisdom your Dad brings through his movements. I am also cringing remembering many times where I have manipulated others to step away from their natural integrity because I was stuck in the energy of doing. Doing seems to go hand in hand with stress and rushing and results in mistakes and poor quality both temporal and energetic.
Sometimes when I go into a really old building I marvel at the workmanship and skill of these old craftsmen and the time it must have taken to build with this much precision and care without all the tools available today. This blog proves we can still take the same care and imprint what we do with an energy that people will be able to appreciate for years to come.
Miracles happen everyday. After one poor experience with craftsmen who did not work with love, another team came in to repair damage done to my floors. Repaired, removed and replaced with reclaimed timber my bedroom floorboards, in the hands of two craftsmen were transformed. I am full of appreciation of these men and the quality of their work now evidenced in before and after photographs they took.
A beautiful sharing! The energy that your Dad built the wonderful play equipment will continue to bless the children that play on it. Truly a gift that keeps on giving.
I can remember being a child and regularly helping my Dad as he did DIY. I cannot say he always had the same composure as is described here bit there are now once again occasions when he asks for my help. I love this time with him as I can feel he has asked me to help, not just to lift something or support moving something heavy but because he can feel the way in the tasks at hand flow when I am there. I also appreciate this time together deeply.
I’m struck by how often I want to put a timetable on when things should happen and how. Reading this I can feel how often my need to get things done destroys the natural ease with which a project or task will unfold and flow, and provide a truer foundation that supports everyone.
A beautiful sharing and one I intend to read often as I am very much a person who needs to develop steady pace without push or drive!
I love this sharing Anonymous, thank you. It is totally relatable to many areas of life.
I love re-reading this blog as it always touches me deeply and reminds me that there is a flow and an order to life and if we adhere to it our lives are so much more enriched and so are our relationships.
We can learn so much from our elders, either as you did, we can learn true qualities and skills and experience, or equally we can learn how not to lead our lives and not need to repeat mistakes down the generations.
We have become so proud of our ability to rush around and churn out activities one in quick succession. In fact multi-tasking has become an admirable activity. Yet the depth of wisdom shown by your father here turns it all on its head. Such as:
– going at a pace that ensure a connection to self
– taking time to develop an awareness and an understanding of the task at hand
– honouring the rhythm, and flow called for by the activity, the purpose and our own body
– applying yourself with absolute dedication, care, purpose and regard for the rhythm and flow you sense is needed.
And the testament of the wisdom in all of this is the exquisite quality you experienced while working with him as well as the end product.
I am really inspired by your Dad. I totally recognise your Day 1 feelings and have certainly been blessed to work with real craftsmen who value and honour their work.
I feel full of appreciation and love as I read this blog. Thank you Anonymous.
Elaine if you feel full of appreciation and love then that is what you bring to the world. It’s very simple, whatever it is that we are full of, is what we bring to others.
What I am discovering in my own life is that there is a beautiful natural flow and rhythm in life no matter what I am doing that sometimes I connect with and allow to be there and sometimes I want to do it my way. When I surrender to the flow, life feels easier, less stressful and less exhausting for sure.
I do love this blog, its great to bring in the qualities and values that make life about care and integrity instead of always trying to get onto the next thing.
There is something so gorgeous about hearing someone appreciate another – what they bring to the world and the reflection they offer. So simple, honouring and gorgeous one wonders why we are not doing it all of the time.
Each day, we are given countless opportunities to appreciate the people in our lives.
Yes Kehinde, and how much do we appreciate what our elderly have to offer.. if we give some time and listen.
Over the past few months I’ve had the honour of working closely with men who could be called handy, trades or crafts men: painter and decorators, floor finishers, sash window installers. plumbers and odd job men. I realise that this cadre of workers are often overlooked or taken for granted yet are the backbone of our communities. They don’t seek attention or recognition, but work steadily and quietly bringing functionality, order and beauty to our homes and gardens.
Working closely with men in this way was a revelation: dedicated to their craft, understood what was asked of them, paid careful attention to detail and committed, in all but one case, to be of service to others. You’ll not see any of these guys on a ‘customer care’ course, but but most understood and lived it and flowed from their love of their craft. Each in their own way produced priceless works of art.
‘they bring life’s rich tapestry right into our homes.’ Yes they do Shirley-Ann.. And your description of the beautiful man who cleans ovens with love is a beautiful example of this.
Our elderly have so much experience and wisdom for us to learn from, it is so wrong that many are herded into aged care homes where they are cared for by staff that are often too busy to have time to connect with them. They are not receiving the respect and honor they deserve.
When Love is a part of anything we produce, everyone has to benefit as true love is all about benefiting the all.
I love the reflection offered to us by those who are a master of their trade.
When we are truly present, it can be felt that there is an order, rhythm and flow to every aspect of life. If we honour this we can co-create with the natural pull of the Universe. Otherwise just like you were doing with the time pressure and agitation, we end up imposing our own strategy, agenda and pictures and creating in isolation to that stupendous harmony.
What a gorgeous example your dad was for you and for all of us reading this blog. I was deeply moved at some points.
The magic of God is everywhere and can be seen and felt in any task we do when we bring our inner quality and love to it.
Our inner quality is the magic of God.
Indeed there is much to appreciate when someone can show patience and allow the space for things to flow in their own time.
‘My Dad has always been a handyman, one of those guys who had no formal qualifications but was able to look at what needed fixing and before long, it was completed.’ – Anonymous, your Dad offers a gorgeous reflection of the wisdom that is available to us all when we surrender and just allow ourselves to ‘be’ and feel what is needed in the moment.
Our elders have incredible wisdom to share if we allow ourselves to stop and feel.
Absolutely agree Richard that our elders have great wisdom and experience of life that could be appreciated and tapped into far more than it currently is.
You get a real sense of the calm and ease and steadiness of your dad in this blog anonymous so thank you very much for sharing this masterclass in staying present in the moment when doing any task.
What a lovely way to complete a task such as this which is to be placed in a children’s play area – true responsibility at play.
I have found that when love is express, regardless of the context, it has a strong effect on those around. This is a good example.
It was beautiful to feel the appreciation and humbleness that came with this shared activity. I love observing the precision and care taken by craftsmen, something often missing in the way things are done these days.
Gosh I love reading this. I feel like you are writing it for me in a way. Such a powerful reminder to not be ‘ahead’ in any moment ‘wanting it to be a certain way’ and to allow the magic of the moment to be with us all. Thank you.
Wow, this is the best story!! And a timely one at that. Such a wonderful reflection. I have a terrible habit of wanting to see the final product yesterday. The impatience for me feels like a lack of appreciation of the process, which brings me to a lack of appreciation for myself and even of time and what time really is….something not to be competed with.
You can feel that your dad was already aware of the end at the start so he was not in a rush to complete but allowed the completion to come to him. In many ways there was a completion happening in each moment and in the joy and appreciation of the whole process. What a beautiful unfolding and what a credit to you that you were so open to read and learn from the situation as it developed. It could have turned really nasty with you having a go at your dad for being slow or not doing it the way you initially thought it should happen, but in the end you shared a very precious time together and out of that came a wonderful end product that as you say will bless many for years to come.
The simplicity and flow of life in the most real and practical form beautifully observed and shared – thanks for the reflection and inspiration.
I loved returning to this beautiful blog as it is so real, so relatable and such a wonderful lesson in the important things in life. In fact there are so many valuable lessons encompassed in this sharing. These are everyday examples of lessons that would truly serve our young children instead of the regimented and often totally un-relatable lessons they have presented to them at school. Taking one step at a time, respecting your body and appreciating the joy of working in harmony, all essential lessons that will support our young as they grow into adulthood. Your father is without doubt a true teacher, an elder with so much still to share with the world and so very inspiring.
Reading your blog I felt such a lovely sense of connection and space. What a beautiful learning and sharing and I feel both humbled and inspired by it, Thank you.
This just jumped off the page at me
“I sat a bit annoyed with having to wait, not taking into consideration that my Dad was appreciating the moment and what was on offer for him to learn.”
This is what I feel is lacking with so many of us that level of appreciation that is always on offer but in our haste to get things done we completely bypass this and therefore miss out on the magic of God and what he is presenting to us all the time.
I’ve got a very, very full day ahead of me; I’m going to endeavour to approach it like your dad would.
I agree Michelle – there is something beautiful in seeing someone work their craft, whatever it is – the thing that they bring their all too and in doing so bring out all their qualities. If we could learn to apply the same qualities and commitment to every area and not just the one, life truly would be amazing.
I love re-reading this blog, as it reminds me how simple life can be when we stay present and in tune with what is needed from one moment to the next.
Thank you for the quality in which you have shared Anonymous.
I remember how much care my Dad used to take with his gardening. He would potter and enjoy himself, take his time and never rush. The garden was always blooming!
Nature responding to love and care. In farming supposedly the best fertiliser is the farmer’s shadow (i.e. his or her physical presence).
I used to be very impatient about making anything, always rushing the preparation or skipping vital aspects and consequently the end result was pretty shabby. However, the more care I have taken of my body and myself, the more this has naturally unfolded into the work I do. These days I fully appreciate that the preparation and each step in the process are essential pillars that support the final product, all of which contain an equal amount of care that when applied, make for a stunning end product.
Obviously the esoteric is well known without even knowing the word by honouring one´s body and inherent rhythm of how to move in and with life.
Yes. I see choices and movements in people that often blow me away – absolute proof that we are all connected to a higher wisdom and that the esoteric livingness is already innately known.
I love how open and honest you were about feeling the tension in your body, Anonymous and your choice to discover what was causing you to feel this way – no coincidence on your choice of reading that morning! You read the energy and felt how different your Dad felt in his body, allowing you to be open to the absolute magic that your Dad was sharing, from his tender care and respect for the wood, to the importance of absolute precision with all of the measurements.
What an incredibly gorgeous blog, it feel like so much was shared over the three days you spent with your Dad, Anonymous. Not just the time together, or the building of the amazing playground equipment, but incredible wisdom, learning, a deepening of your appreciation for each other and the special relationship that you both share.
The sharing shows how your father is connected to a deep inner wisdom which guides him and allows him to stay in his natural rhythm and clock without the natural rhythm getting disturbed. Thank you for sharing this.
Once we deal with drive and push in our work the next stage can then be to deal with comfort and not being fully present. This is a beautiful process.
The man in this photo has such joy in his cheeks and glint in his eyes…he emanates such ease and warmth in his being.
It’s a very beautiful sharing, I agree Gill. Our elders are so valuable in our communities and have a lot of care and practicality and simplicity to offer us.
There is so much for us to learn from the wisdom of our elders.
What a beautiful blog, I feel very touched. The love and care you and your dad took in that work will be felt by all that use it.
And the same may be said about this article Samantha, for all those who read this blog the ripple effect will transform, because of the way this blog holds you!
This is such a beautiful sharing with so many lessons for those of us (like myself) who can get inpatient at times. It is all in the detail as this beautiful man has shared with us.
I have recently been working in Hungary for a year on a project that involved lots of traditional craftsmanship with wood, leather, metal workers – also seamstresses, hat makers, knitters, felt workers – also metal workers, blacksmiths, potters, ceramicists, jewellers and all sorts of handcrafts that I so rarely see being practised in the UK where I live. It was such a privilege and a joy to see the skill and dedication and craft that so many of these men and women brought to their work. In fact, I got kind of obsessed by it and would spend lots of time watching them and appreciating them! In a world obsessed with function, it is a pleasure to observe flow.
Just reading this blog invited me to slow down, appreciate and ‘measure, sand and polish’ every one of your words.
I can also feel the Joy your dad had in spending that quality time with you and building something so precious together.
what you both built was far more than the individual parts and quite symbolic!
Your father reflected the importance of paying attention to detail, something we often overlook in the drive and rush of life.
Sometimes we hold back and feel that asking for help burdens another, whereas in truth it offers an opportunity for others to give of themselves and for us to share and work together.
That is so true – many of us are more comfortable with giving than receiving but to truly give you need to be able to equally receive.
Yes I felt that too – quality time together doing something in connection – very beautiful.
Thank you Anonymous for such a beautiful sharing – the playground equipment and your dad not only blesses all the children but me and everyone who reads this blog and even further afield than that.
Yes, the effect of a role model can spread far and wide!
I’ve loved reading about the way your dad works, there’s so much to appreciate in the time he allows himself, his consideration for the job at hand, and the care for himself and that which he masterfully puts together.
So true, and I love his preparation for each day and the different tasks at hand. Having everything ready so the job can be done smoothly and with good care, all the tools at hand.
This is such a beautiful story because it shows how important our role is in reflecting to others – through your father staying steady and strong in his knowing of how to do the work in a way that is honouring and has the highest integrity, you go to learn and grow and address your drive and tension to complete the job. Had your dad picked up on your tension and joined in, or had he himself felt any need to prove himself or gain your appreciation for doing the job quickly, then nothing more would have been learnt from the exchange apart from maybe some temporal things around wood and carpentry, but likely the final product would have been nowhere near the quality. Too often in life and in work, we make what we do and how quickly we can do it and for how much money, far greater in value than the quality of how we do it and how it makes us feel.
I loved reading every word of this, and could have gone on reading for hours! The precision, presence and care taken by your dad in the construction of the play equipment is an inspiration for us all.
Love it Anonymous, very inspiring indeed!
Most of us these days never seem to have the time to take things slow and do a job in a meticulous fashion, it is all rush, rush, rush time is money and all that, so to read how your dad still does things was a real pleasure and a wake up call.
There is really gold in this for all of us; irrespective of our profession and irrespective of what we are doing. Even the process of typing this comment can be infused with the magic of Anon’s Dad.
As always- love your comment Otto as it is directly useable in daily life – yes the energy in which we comment – do we do it quickly to ‘get it done’, or do we feel into what we like to share with others and the quality we are in when sharing …
So true Otto, we can either be part of the Love and sharing so that our expression is evolving or simply ticking a box to say this process is complete what is next.
A beautifully clear expression of the beauty of staying focused and at one with what one is doing and the resulting quality of the outcome. Thank you for sharing Anonymous.
What a beautiful sharing of the love ,consistency and beingness of your father and the job at hand. Such a real reflection into the way we truly can be with steadiness and space to allow all that is needed and no more with the quality from within. A truly magical lesson of appreciation.
Glorious, just glorious anonymous. A simple piece that speaks volumes about energetic responsibility and its effects on others.
What a joy to read in this day and age of instant every thing. A reminder that real craftsmanship cares for every little detail with a calm authority, in the knowing that everything will fit together perfectly because the love and attention that has been given has been done so with due respect of the time it takes to deliver.
I loved reading this and there is something very beautiful about the true craftsmanship that you describe. I notice how more and more fabrication processes are becoming factory based instead of made by people as you shared and I feel with that we miss out on the magic that can be felt when assembling furniture like your dad did.
“I could feel how the doing was running my body whilst my Dad stayed consistent with himself and did what was needed on that day, nothing more and nothing less.” Thank you Anonymous for being so honest about being in the doing as I can very much relate to it. I love to feel how your Dad is staying with himself and therefore knowing exactly what to do instead of rushing, pushing and getting the things done – that is really inspirational! Our world needs more people like your dad as most of us have forgotten about these wonderful quality of staying with oneself. Being in such a drive and need to get things done seems almost like a disease the world is suffering from.
This is such a gorgeous blog that way it just annihilates the ‘drug’ of ‘let’s get it done now’ (not that that isn’t a good thing if done in quality!) But the rhythm of what your father laid out in his going about the job is just so inspiring. It offers space to those involved as well as a good quality product that the children will enjoy having fun with. Space, space Space, with loads of care and love. What more could you want!
Wow, this is so joyful. The unfaltering steadiness, the appreciation, the love, the understanding and the patience that was present in your father when he helped you build this equipment is so so lovely that I can really feel what a true foundation is when one is at work. Not being blustered or swayed by anything but what the job at hand requires. No matter what job we do I am inspired.
“Although I said nothing, I sat a bit annoyed with having to wait, not taking into consideration that my Dad was appreciating the moment and what was on offer for him to learn” – how gorgeous is this.. him allowing time to savour with appreciation for what was given, and what was to come.. your father sounds like a true student of himself and of life too Anonymous… would love to meet him!!
Approaching this blog a second time I feel like I am bathing in the beauty and sense of spaciousness that comes with making what one does all about quality. There’s an absolute richness to it that, once known, is hard to deny.
I love your honesty in this blog of how you were feeling throughout the different stages and I love the genuine heartfelt appreciation you have for your dad ❤️
A truly beautiful sharing anon thank you, what a great reflection your Dad offered to you, I loved the whole process over the three days of how your Dad worked, i am in his age bracket and will certainly look at working in a much gentler and enjoyable way with myself and the process.
I work in a fast paced industry where hundreds of emails and computer documents are dealt with daily, its staggering to think just how different life is when we work together, allow space to connect with what we are doing etc. I love how much space your dad allowed for the job, its a great reflection to us all.
A great piece on parenting and learning from the wisdom of the elderlies. What a blessing.
This was beautiful to read, bringing it back to the quality of the task and not get caught up in the doing and completion. This was awesome for me to read today, as I have many different projects on the go and I have felt a little anxiousness in my body. But this had given me a reminder to just come back to the quality and work with each task at a time and the projects will just fall into place.
This holds an important message for us all. How often do we stop, reflect. appreciate and relish bringing the quality of love and purpose to what we do. This has been so nurturing to read and so exposing of the energy I can often choose to go in to when wanting to get something done. Thank you anon.
What we can learn from each other is incredible and never to be underestimated
The trees that you mention in the park Anonymous remind of how we can walk past stunning natural beauty with barely a shrug, ignore the most divine flower or tree, and rush ahead with our work in a stress. I feel we behave in much the same way with the people in our lives. Just because they are ‘always there’ we can take the quality others bring foregranted in the saddest way. It’s only when it’s too late that we stop to say ‘wow the way you are just blows me away and I’ve never met someone who supports others in quite this way’. Let’s not let it get late – we have the opportunity to appreciate and see value in ourselves everybody we meet. If we do this I can’t help but feel that our life will be sturdy rich and playful as the playground your Dad built.
Wow. This is a very beautiful sharing and one that reminds me of the many times I have rushed others because of ‘what I want’. There is so much to lose and nothing to gain when we work in disconnection.
A priceless and timeless example of the beauty, joy and magic for all when in the moment and no-where else.
Thank you for sharing your appreciation for the integrity with which your father approached this task and how he was not swayed by your tensions. Such an amazing reflection for us all about how to approach anything and deliver the quality that we would all love to be on the receiving end of.
Focus, purpose and love, all in action. Beautiful sharing thank you.
For me this is true quality of an apprenticeship. If we learned to do things this way we would not only bring absolute integrity and quality to whatever we are doing we would also live a far more harmonious life because we would understand that everything in life is connected so it is not only important how we do things when we work but that this applies to all areas of our life.
There is much we can learn from people like your father. With the world being in such a rush, drive and in nervous tension to be able to hold a quality of presence that is calm, steady and purposeful, even in resting then we would be living in an entirely different world.
Amazing that with all that precision, detail and consideration for each step of the project that it finished at just the right time, completely on target. It goes to show that time is an illusion, and that we can create the space to complete a high quality piece of work within a given time.
Such a valuable learning from your Dad, how he stayed with his steadiness, and the process of allowing the making of the pieces to develop over 3 days. No rush just a steady flow.
This is so true Doug, as these days everything seems to be mass produced in record time. It makes sense that if products were produced with the love and care demonstrated by the father, then we would feel that – maybe we would curtail this throw away society we have cultivated due to wanting immediate gratification.
I love this story and it has stayed with me since I first read it. It’s so easy to go into drive to get things done. To stop and appreciate our work along the way, respect the process and the materials we are working with is so important. The integrity offered here is amazing. It is super inspiring.
Absolutely inspiring, and one of the most natural expressions as the story really flows.
Anonymous, this is very beautiful; ‘I stopped to appreciate the incredible levels of patience and craftsmanship he had shown in moulding each piece of wood and the steady pace that he worked at to prevent errors, and how he honored himself in each step with rest and reflection.’ I can feel how in our busy lives that there is often a rush to get things done, and so this quality can be absent, it is very lovely that your dad honoured himself and the process and did not get caught up in rush and trying to get it done as fast as possible. He is a great role model for making work about quality not speed and quantity.
Imagine for a moment what the world would feel like if everybody moved and worked in the quality of this man.
What a beautiful grace to bestow these two simple pieces of work, a quality that will be felt and adored by the children who play with it. Thank you for sharing and it is a huge lesson for us all that true craftsmanship considers all aspects of the job, including the care of the craftsman, the space, pace and quality of the work. What a joy!
Reading this gave me a moment to consider how I go about my day and what needs to be done, do I bring the care and attention to detail that is required or do I rush to get things done with self imposed deadlines?
Imagine if everything in this world was done with the same care and precision that your dad displayed here, I can’t help thinking of the care and craftsmanship that went into buildings of old compared to the way things are built today.
It’s powerful to ask for help. This past year, on several occasions I’ve been called upon to ask others for help, this is one example of this. Two days ago and after some hesitation, I knocked on my neighbour’s door and asked if I could store boxes and personal items in his house for five days, while work was being done in my flat. My neighbour was immediate in his response, ” Sure” he said,”Lets see what you have to move” and was already walking towards my house. He picked up my hesitancy and doubt and said so, as if to say ‘Why wouldn’t we help you? We exchanged phone numbers, he asked me how to pronounce my name correctly and genuinely showed willingness to support me. On the day, and as we moved boxes from my house to his, an opportunity opened for us to get to know each other and deepen our relationship. I observed how gentle and kind this man and his partner were. A beautiful example of brotherhood in action. Asking for help supports not just the person asking but also the one who gives of himself.
What an amazing space your father holds while working and what a reflection of learning for you and all of us. Thank you Joesph.
Agreed, Doug. Vastly different it would be!
Anonymous, I live with a man (my husband) who is just like your Dad in his approach to… everything, and I have to say it has offered me so, so much learning. I have had to come to terms with my drivenness, my inconsistency, my willingness to be swayed by demands (imposed or self-imposed) and my need to feel in control and more over the 8 years we have been together. I appreciate it, and him, enormously. These are men who, though their very steadiness, know themselves. Utterly beautiful and humbling they are!
Anonymous, what a beautiful blog. Your father with elder energy, guided, instructed you on how to be in the world. He seemed a man of few words, but with a depth of presence, love, steadiness and wisdom that spoke volumes to you.
Why do we tend to have this rush to get things done in the shortest time possible in our nowadays society and why do we not allow to let unfold the quality of love into everything that we do? It feels as if that urge is because we are in disconnection with ourselves in the first place,otherwise like the father in this blog, we just honour each moment of the fabrication process, and mostly so, the inner joy of being one with the all that is felt from deep within.
Your Dad sounds like he knows his trade, he knows his processes and he respects his body, it also sounds like he deeply cares and isn’t afraid to stand by his principles. Isn’t it brilliant to be around such people and allow ourselves to soak in their wisdom.
Gosh, I really love this piece. What a huge inspiration about coming back to the simple care and attention to detail that life can offer with each and every task.
This reading has inspired my day to reconnect deeper with the quality within us all, how very beautiful. Just being in our natural quality with steadiness impacts on everything and everyone around us.
After reading your blog it is so clear to me how much we can miss out and even get agitated when we get caught up in the images/pictures in our head of how things should be. I still do this quite a lot and it is something I am aware of and learning to accept, surrender and appreciate. Taking time out to reflect on why we feel agitated or frustrated in certain situations opens up opportunities for us to learn, especially about ourselves.
it is beautiful to hear of such quality and care and rhythm in an age where ‘don’t-care’ mass-produced products from people who just want to make a few million bucks, flood the market. Six months ago I bought a quite expensive skirt from a big name designer company and the hem was down in two days, and not from anything I did to it! IT is great to be learning that the energetic quality of a product is the all and for the all.
“I was driven by the energy of doing and my Dad stayed steady in the energy of being” – what a rock and a monument your father is Anonymous, and what reflection he is.
You speak here of a true Craftsman Anonymous . Not only a Craftsman but an obviously truly connected man who shares his wisdom naturally. A beautiful sharing.
This gorgeous blog reminds us that it is never about the end result, but absolutely about the quality of each little detail. This is where our divine impulse to serve, naturally comes to the fore, and your Father was in absolute alignment to this service.
What a great story and also a blessing to have something made in that quality sitting or standing for all to see and use. I can almost see the park and what it is like to pass by and get a sense of what has been built. Yes something is physically there but also the quality of the build, the feeling is also tangibly there for all to see and appreciate.
The way in which this was created, the methodical process, the grace, the patience, the presence, the joy, will be felt by all that use this new equipment. I have heard the expression a loving imprint before, and this story has really deepened my understanding of what that means and how important it is.
The love and care your father has offered an entire community to feel whenever these pieces of equipment are used is gorgeous. So often furniture is made to be as cheap as possible and the priority on every level is financial based. In this project, it was nothing about money and all about the absolute care and dedication needed to produce well made woodwork. I would love to meet your father and observe him at work, this quality is not often found and it is what the world needs more of.
We have so much to learn from someone who has the same qualities of steadiness and wisdom that your father so obviouly has. Taking the time and allowing the space to lovingly do what needs to be done without any hurry sets an example for anyone who feels they have to rush into something to get it completed, and is truly inspiring.
So lovely that you didn’t push it with your dad or interfere with his process but allowed your own awareness to show you what you were bringing to the table and then to let go of that and surrender to the wisdom and rhythm of your father and the blessing that he brought to the whole project.
This is very beautiful on many levels. I love the steadiness your Dad offers and what comes when we do not waiver in our commitment to ourselves.
What a gorgeous blog to read and what a lovely man your father is. I could feel his dedication and commitment to his work and the quality that that produced – such a beautiful reminder for us all that this is the true manner in which we should approach our work regardless of what the job is.
What an amazing sharing, I loved reading your post and its given me a lot to consider as I often want to get things done rather than be with me and whatever it is in that moment.
Thank you for sharing the care and quality someone is able to put into a piece of work. Wow it would be amazing to be a child playing on that equipment. It shows that we can have the space and time for everything and that what comes back is the quality of our work.
We can get so caught up in the rush and pushing, it’s a real blessing when we get those stop moments or a break in the momentum. Rather than trying to push past these days I am more willing to surrender and breathe for instance when getting caught on every red traffic light.
It can be very frustrating to watch someone doing any job with care and precision when we just want to see it finished, but to someone who cares about doing a good job, rushing is an awful thing. So we can learn patience and understanding and watch as some beautifully crafted piece of furniture or food appears and we can delight in its beauty knowing the love with which it was created.
Beautiful story. This is what elders are here for – to teach us the lessons they have learnt through their time and wisdom.
Dearest Anon, thank-you for observing this interaction with your Dad, for trusting in how it unfolded and for being humble enough to clock what this experience bought up for you. The space that your Dad offered here feels deeply honouring and as you say his integrity is what blesses the finished piece.
This blog has reminded me of the steady way I see my dad carry out his daily tasks. I have never seen him rush and love how he takes his time over little things like writing an address on an envelope, drawing fine pencil lines that he later rubs out so that each line of the address is horizontal.
Anonymous, I so enjoyed reading how your dad went about the project you were working on. I especially liked the bit where he called a halt to the activity on day one so that he could check the measurements. No rush and a real attention to detail.
What a beautiful experience with your Dad and what precision, focus, dedication and detail he brought to the job at hand. As I read your blog it felt like the natural process a plant takes to grow from a seed then develop into the most beautiful flower at it’s own natural pace.. the pieces he made for the park. The quality those pieces were made in will be felt and enjoyed by every child playing there. Thank you for sharing, your appreciation felt.
This is gorgeous Anonymous. Our elders have much wisdom from lived experience to share with others.
Just gorgeous! We can learn so much from so many. We just have to be willing to observe.
What a most beautiful description of the joy, love and beauty there is when the focus is the quality and not the outcome.
This is a very beautiful story.
What a beautiful story and lesson in staying aware of the actual quality we are doing things in rather than just getting caught up in the doing part.
It is interesting how we can go into pushing ourselves to get something done even when there is no deadline set. I have observed this behaviour in me too but recently I realised I was creating deadlines and it was affecting me in more ways than one. Because of the dead lines I was at times going into overwhelm and exhaustion but it wasn’t long before I clocked what was going on. I became aware that the deadlines were taking me out from being present with myself. I was setting unrealistic goals. It made me realise that I may think that I am committing to life but unless I am committing to myself first as in the case of Anonymous’s Dad then I am not truly committing to life. Thank you Anon for sharing such a gorgeous blog.
Great point Caroline. I have found I push myself when I haven’t appreciated the quality that I bring and go searching for recognition instead.
This is quite a learning – working harmoniously with your tools and at a pace that allows quality to happen.
I agree Christoph. The harmony that was brought to the relationship and the work that was being completed is alchemy in action.
Your Dad is an inspiration and through your sharing, has offered us a way of being that we can apply to all aspects of life. The quality he brings in the way he works with wood is the way we can be in our own fields of work and in simple tasks like taking the rubbish out and cleaning the house.
Imagine how many incredible moments like these are there to be had through asking for support and wanting to see more about the world, different jobs and the details in each field. Asking opens up the possibility for an enormous expanse of resources and inspiration.
Yes Susie, asking for support is true brotherhood. An acknowledgement that we are not lonely islands in the sea. but connected to each other and part of something much bigger. We evolve by opening up, allowing people into our lives, and for the one or ones invited in, they too learn how to support another and in doing so share something of themselves.
“I could feel how the doing was running my body whilst my Dad stayed consistent with himself and did what was needed on that day, nothing more and nothing less. Being with himself was paramount, as this was the quality of energy the work would be completed in.” I so recognise this one, in my ‘doingness’. What a beautiful reflection from your dad in his ‘beingness’. Thank you for sharing this – inspirational.
Great blog, I’m super inspired to look at how I prepare for the things I do in life. Earlier in the year I did a course that I knew would change my life and I was meticulous in how I prepared for it in folding my clothes, preparing my bag, every detail was cared for – I’ve never before or since cared for and prepared for anything like that, but your blog has inspired me to check out how I prepare dinner or for the day or for any job that needs to be completed – is there the care of preparation beforehand or do I just launch into it?
I hold the same appreciation for the man who plastered and decorated my bedroom. I may have been in a hurry, he certainly was not. He was steady, clear and put equal effort and thought into preparation as the final stage of painting. What I felt was a simple painting job began with careful assessment of window panes, walls, ceiling. He pointed out defects that would affect the final finish, if not addressed before he started work. He offered a way to save me money on materials (and we did!) He thought ahead and advised me to buy floor protection for the next stage of the work. After two weeks, I returned to find my bedroom beautifully painted. When we met, he showed me the photo diary he had made of every stage of the process, including cracks, and deeper damage to walls, each stage of repair was documented. He plastered two walls instead of one, because it needed to be done. I was blown away. A true craftsman who loves his work and works with love.
What a beautiful sharing, we can learn so much from the older generations as these days things are usually all about profit and less about quality. This was also a good reminder for me because I still go into drive and finish mode when working, letting the energetic quality lapse.
Wow anonymous, this is very beautiful to read about the care, attention to detail and honouring with which your dad worked, I can feel how it is more common for us to work in a rush, to get the job done and that this level of love and care often does not go into work and so what imprint are we leaving behind? So it’s very lovely to read this and also how your dad really enjoyed this work and had appreciation of himself and the process, truly inspiring.
The quality of the energy of love will be felt by all the children in the play park and a reflection of the deepening honouring and respect of your relationship with your father.
I can so relate to your feeling annoyed initially towards how your dad was getting on with the task, and I can learn so much from how you allowed both yourself and your dad to be where you were at and coming to appreciate the whole process and the wisdom that was being offered through your dad in action. There’s so much our elders have to offer but us the younger generations coming from our own ideals and beliefs we often do not allow that and even judge them, or we sometimes have this patronizing attitude with false niceties. Thank you, Anonymous, for sharing your experience with us all.
Very beautiful to read. Life has so much become about doing things quickly that it is easily forgotten that it is first and foremost about quality – that is the thing that lasts and will be felt in the end result. Why not enjoy the process of producing what we are producing instead of just appreciating the end result?
I cried reading this blog because the love that your Dad built this in is so palpable and gorgeous that it has touched me deeply. This is what it means to work in quality and with quality. I have been blessed from reading this blog so thank you. I will read it many times over.
Aww Anonymous, what an absolutely gorgeous and beautiful read, I love your father’s steady and loving disciplining way, it’s so settling, and i also love how you appreciate him, his expression and his being so dearly too. Just beautiful.
I agree the steady and loving disciplining way was beautiful to read, it reminded me of my father who works in a similiar way.
And writing about it is a blessing as well as the presence, dedication and commitment come through so strongly that it gracefully imbues the act of reading about it.
I agree Michelle, he is very inspiring. I can feel the love, joy and care in every part of the design and construction process and so will the children who gets to use it. What a blessing this is for the community and for everyone who walks past this piece of artwork that was build from love.
Gorgeous blog, what a beautiful reflection and reminder to stay with the quality of being and not get caught up in achieving and getting things completed in a rush. This reveals how much we miss out and the tension we feel when we are rushing or have expectations. I love what you’ve shared, your father is absolutely inspiring.
What a great lesson for us all, that nothing ever done in rush or push will leave a loving imprint. Every moment we have a choice to move in a quality that supports us all. Thank you for sharing.
Yes, learning that is a really big deal.
Yes and nothing done with a rush or a push feels either good or true from the body.
Beautiful to feel the loving imprint you Dad brought to the playground, this attention to detail and the love will be felt and enjoyed by many children. The quality we bring does not have a time frame.
What a divine blog. I love the way you describe your Dad’s attention to detail, and the love that went into the construction process of the art of building a table. It is the old dog teaching the young dog old tricks that are forever young!
How lovely, just reading about your Dad slowed me down! I had to laugh at myself reading because I often have that sense of urgency or rush, but there is no true purpose to push and drive myself that way, and there is certainly no learning or savouring of the moment like your Dad does. There are so many awesome people in the world that we can learn from, thanks for sharing your Dad and his very special qualities.
A forever practice to be in the energy of being rather than doing. Thank goodness we can be inspired by observing and feeling the difference in another.
A practice worth making as there is more flow in life when we remain with ourselves.
So beautiful Anonymous. What your words remind me is that one of the greatest crafts in life is the ability to understand and appreciate what we all bring. We each have a different angle, a different flavour to share – to think that there is a right or a wrong way to be is so harming to us and stops us from realising what we all have to offer – it is so beautiful in its own right when it’s brought through with our light.
This is a beautiful example of what appreciation can offer. When we connect to it, any feelings of agitations, tension or conflict dissipates, and we get to see and experience the magic of appreciation unfold.
I love nothing more than watching one who has mastered a craft in true quality. The love, appreciation and beauty is felt and seen in the end product.
Very true Kim and that is exactly how you are in your craft.
This reminds me of my grandmother and how she would go about projects with a steady consistency. No rush just precision and care with a dedication to what was needed. I feel we have so much to learn from this generation.
Yes there is much to learn from this – and imagine what the world would be like if everyone worked with this steadiness and consistency.
This is such a beautiful piece about your father Anonymous, who most definitely knows how to work in a rhythm that supports him to a tee in what he does, and is in line with the rhythms of the Universe. Such a huge inspiration for us all so thank-you for sharing.
Very cool to read this, not being in drive to complete tasks is a big thing for me, and so to read of that energy of wanting to get things done, get them over with is very familiar to me. I am learning to not rush but focus on the quality of how each task is completed. I feel an anxiousness to get things over with, and I can see how this can be really detrimental to the outcome of the task, but also my own body. It is great to have that reflection of your Dad staying in the quality of energy that serves the plan, and how you embraced this over the course of the days spent working on this project.
I was moved to tears reading this today. And mixed one at that – lots of joy and some sadness. I can so relate to you, wanting to get things done and having set pictures about what it should look like and how long it should take. And the sadness was around how limiting that is, and how it does not allow the beauty and the grace that is there for us in each and every moment, of the lost opportunities.
This line particularly struck me – “my Dad was appreciating the moment and what was on offer for him to learn” and I reflected on the frustration that can arise when I am learning something new. Oh and resentment. I found the line very inspirational.
And tears of joy of the incredible steadiness and wisdom of your father and his respect for the process. and for you being open to the joy of that as well. Surrender is a beautiful thing.
A true master craftsman knows that the quality of the final piece is determined by the quality of each step taken in the process of the construction. Just like your Dad, we too can learn to move in this way with each moment building on the quality of the last so that when the day closes we are not left burnt out in an exhausted heap at the end, but stand fully restored by virtue of the movements we put in place that were made in connection with ourselves and whatever task may be at hand. We are the builders of our own reality creating the quality of the day through which we move.
I loved reading this, thank you for the sharing. You can feel the quality of craftsmanship (in carpentary and in life) that he brought to the situation and how needed this reflection is in the world today when we are all so busy rushing and racing.
Reading this it becomes evident again, that we have moved into an age where this form of appreciation of a skill and craft is overridden by the need for things to be done quickly or happen fast. If your dad is anything to go by, that generation were clearly hard working, skilled and knew how to bring a quality and focus to the job at hand – without the distractions of 100 other things going on at the same time. Lovely to read about this process, – no drive or need to impress, yet it was fully appreciated.
Genuinely thank you so much for sharing this it is deeply touching to feel the connection between you and your dad and how you worked together. Your dad sounds like a very beautifull man. Our elders can teach us so much, especially patience! One of my ‘things’ has always been I would love to be able to make things with wood and would love to be taught by someone like your dad so I truly enjoyed reading this blog.
What a gift we have all been given by this process of building something for your local community. The patience, the energetic quality, the connection, the sense of purpose that did not need to be hurried. Very transferable lessons and skills.
Yes agree Lucy, imagine if we bought this level of detail, true purpose and quality to everything we do in life – this blog has offered us a beautiful reflection that has inspired me in many ways.
I’m always enthused and inspired to read stories of absolute joy being expressed through a natural expression of someone’s care and precision in what they do. It’s a celebration and cherishing of life.
That steadiness and commitment to staying with the process and not rushing is felt by all as it stands out from the normal rush of life, and is very inspiring. Quality first.
Love this blog, and it is a great example that we still have a lot to learn from our elders if we take the time to stop and listen, and observe.
That is so gorgeous to read and there is a lesson beyond carpentry here. Everything about the way your dad worked was in the moment, not rushing or pushing, and doing things in quality first. How awesome and rare to read how the simple things can be done so simply. We are in an age of getting everything done yesterday, but we miss out on the relationships and quality that comes with allowing the space.
So true HM, for when we allow impatience to creep in the subsequent rush will always compromise the quality of whatever it is we are doing.
Speed does not necessarily equal quality, and nor is it an indicator of efficiency. Presence of being is all that is needed.
And is everything. The rest just naturally and supportively follows from here.
‘He was in no hurry to complete what he knew was a process that would be worth the wait.’ Why hurry when you appreciate every step in the process and just know the completion will be the confirmation of all the work that has been done with care and love.
To Love the process not only the result. This is beautiful and reminds me of how important it is for us to enjoy the in betweens in life and savour the flavour of us and our movements in the present moment.
I agree Annelies, we are always so focused on the outcome that we dont see the growth we can gain from the process
This nearly brought me to tears, every stage, every moment, every step was steeped in the utmost consideration, care and joy in direct reflection of what the pieces were going to be used for. How amazing for anyone playing in that park to feel and enjoy. Thank you for sharing this masterpiece with everyone.
Aimee the same for me, to feel the tenderness of a man working in connection with the flow of the universe and with people.
I have so much joy reading this blog. Man what a beautiful relationship you and your dad share and what an inspiration he is in the way he works. Our education system does not offer credit enough to the importance of such small detail and quality of energy.
That is so true, as long as it ‘gets done’, no one asks about the quality in which it was done, and sadly we see this in many aspects in our lives and surroundings …
This was a lovely read thank you. A job worth doing is a job worth doing well .
Love this – it so is, and as most jobs are worth doing either in service or something else, then most jobs (if not all) are worth doing well as all others will feel exactly how that job was done through energetic imprint.
This is such a beautiful lesson for all. It’s all too easy to want to push on through to the ‘fun’ bit but if this is not done in consideration of the body, there really will be no fun or joy in it – just push and drive. There’s a wonderful completeness and honouring to the process described here. Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful – to appreciate the power of being and letting go of the drive and push so many of us live by.
Gorgeous to be open to the lessons of others around us.
I put my hands together for your dad. Sounds like a true master at play.
How wonderful would it be if we really saw and acknowledged the mastership that we each bring to others and through our chosen area. The world would be a different place.
Quality work is a little bit of experience, but a whole lot of quality energy. So a rush job is still a rush job no matter the skill of the person rushing and without doubt it takes longer because you have to go back and fix the bits that were rushed.
Jennifer when I read your comment I had the image of seamstresses frantically running up dresses and then pondered on the energetic quality of clothes that have been rushed and poorly finished.
Well put – exactly – a rush job most likely will end up with untidy parts and flaws that, if not fixed in the moment and with diligence, will for sure show up later exposing then the energy in which the job was done. Being connected and working in that connection is a true and loving imprint that all can feel when they get in touch with the finished job.
This is a great example of a man who is totally connected to his soul when it comes to building stuff…love your blog anon. very inspirational.
I agree and I’m inspired to stop and appreciate the steps and moments it takes to complete anything in my day. I love the wisdom from elders and the learning in this gorgeously written blog.
And just shows how each of us bring this detail to very different things in life. Someone may connect more with cooking, or building, or cleaning, or gardening. I love how there are so many activities and expressions for us to connect to on earth that ultimately support is to bring our love and care to from our soul – even perhaps if we have not yet mastered bringing that to all areas of our lives. What an amazing support.
Love it, it has made me think of my dad and how amazing he has been at building, fixing and making things work!
Often we are brought up to be in gratitude or to appreciate the things people build or do for us, but how often do we actually get supported to appreciate the quality of those around us, who love us, for the work that they do for us. A game changer really.
Such a sharing brings to me the absolute importance of having our elders as active participants in our communities. The wisdom, and patience that many deliver their knowledge with is a true gift to all of us.
I couldn’t agree more Leigh. I feel that the general lack of valuing of the elders in our society is a sobering and exposing reflection of how little the majority of us value ourselves.
Yes so true, and this blog is so inspiring in that it shows us that all we need to do is approach our elders with projects that they can get involved in, bringing their steadfastness and wisdom to us all.
What a gorgeous blog of appreciation! It just shows that we have a natural and intrinsic ability to be steady, calm and to not rush. It’s not something that needs to be taught but is within us. Your Dad is an amazing example of that.
And this allows us to appreciate the different flavours those around us, be it friends, family or work colleagues are there to offer us. It’s gorgeous that anonymous allowed the appreciation of this rather than overriding the beauty his/her dad was presenting.
This is so beautiful to read and at one stage I could feel some joy-filled tears rising at the valuable lesson your father was offering you. And how equally wonderful that you were finally able to take that lesson with an open heart and to connect with him in the joy he had as he progressed through the stages leading to the completion of this project. It was certainly a true example of the Ancient Wisdom in action.