Lessons from the toolbox, the path of the woodworker Here in New England the artisans who build wooden boats are known as Joiners. There is a tradition for workers seeking to be joiners to make their toolboxes from common, rugged wood, like the wood left over after a boat`s hull has been framed up and planked over. Outwardly these are just simple wooden boxes meant to withstand the everyday abuse of a busy boatyard. As their skills progress these artisans outfit the interior of these boxes by stretching their skills to include inlaying the interior with patterns created from exotic wood scraps. Some of these boxes also include finely crafted tills, drawers and compartments that are custom fitted to hold their tools of the trade. What looks like a beat up old box at first glance becomes a calling card which displays the true skills and abilities of the person who made it. I remember being captivated by an inlaid motto in Latin on the inside cover of one of these boxes. It had a form like a treasure chest full of fine tools and rare woods all fitted together with care, focus and intent. Anyone who looked at the contents of that box had no doubt it belonged to a true artisan. I asked the person who owned that box what the inscription meant. He told me that simply put it meant Life is short but Art endures. He told that as he was outfitting his toolbox he came to the realization that the box and it`s contents would still be admired and working long after he had passed from this world.He went on to share with me a few other insights from his decades as a master craftsman. Among them were; What appears common, beat down, rough and worn on the outside can hold treasure once you find the key to open it. We are all gifted, some of us just never open the box. If your Craft honors you by supplying you with an honorable way to move through this life then you honor it in return by being sure that the gifts, guidance and experiences it brought you are passed on before you leave this world. Whatever you make and do that carries you through this world should be done as well as you possibly can in an appropriate manner. Don`t invest all your time and energy in creating a masterpiece that can`t stand up to life on life`s terms. What you invest your passion in should be made with an eye to endure. It will become your legacy. At day`s end your Craft should mean more to you than making a living. If it doesn`t inspire you then it`s time to move on. Ars Loga, Vita Brevis. What have you done recently to honor and advance your Craft? What do you plan to do to ensure that what remains after your life ends endures for the benefit of others and to serve as inspiration for those who follow on? The Leo Ministry
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 18:01:48 +0000
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