The Road back to the Way of the Craftsman. . .

Weird angle but still a shot of one of my recent windows done for some incredibly nice folks who built their dream home on TableRock Lake near Blue Eye.

As we get closer to 2009 I am thinking more and more about how when I think about things and how I talk about things. . .that I tell a better story.  I had a hard day today concerning money, but that is not a good story.  I learned from the proceedings of the day so it wasn't a total loss.  It was reaffirmed to me today, that I don't "fit" coming in through the front door.  I'm not saying that I'm not worthy of the front door, it's just that when I use it, it doesn't work for me.  I'm better served, I AM BETTER SERVED, observing people, not signing up for "good deals," and just slipping into the party, in the back or kitchen door.  When it comes to rules and regulations - just doesn't work for me, never really has.  

When people tell you that you NEED this or you NEED that. . .really think about what it is that you really need.  There are salesmen everywhere.  There is a place for salesmen - they keep commerce going.  But salesmen, salespeople don't make things.  They sell things.  I make things.  Quark from Deep Space Nine was a salesman and he lived for the thrill of the sales "game" and to see how much he could "get over" on people.  So QUALITY didn't enter into the equation. 

The next time I hear my brain telling me that I NEED something - think it through about what you really NEED and whether or not it is just something that you WANT, or more importantly - is it important because of the salesman who is convincing you that you NEED it?  I am so done with the rules that other people set up for YOU to jump through their hoops for. From banks to cell phone "deals" to signing your life away to someone else's idea of how to keep hours.

What I need to focus on is the Road back to the way of the Craftsman.  In the Ozarks it is important to keep your overhead down.  Get by on as little as you can, while you build up your inventory, advertise your services to other people, and build up your own reputation.  I'm looking forward to having less obligations per month, to clear out more and more clutter of objects that I truly don't NEED, and to begin 2009 to be a year when I create some wonderful new things.  I'm too good to NOT keep creating new things.  I'm a great teacher too and I do love showing adults how to become skilled enough to start creating their own masterpieces - as easily as they can.  I have been able to teach people how to cut glass and to assemble windows in such a way - that they really thank me afterwards, and during the process they have a LOT of FUN and are amazed that they can actually DO the things that I show them how to do.  THIS is a much more fun story to tell, to focus on for 2009.  

I need to paint a sign and put it in the yard, to let people know that they can call to sign up for classes. . .now THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I "NEED" TO DO, ha ha ha ha!