Hi, I need more of this... 🙂

Published: Sat, 09/18/21

Hey there, .

I'm at my dad's house in Wisconsin right now. You see, he had a fall and I'm here now helping as best I can so he can resume living alone.

I've been thinking about the role of patience when it comes to recovery from an accident and how patience can help you become a better chip carver.

1. Patience is needed for bones and muscles to heal. My dad fractured his hip when he fell. Thankfully it wasn't a serious fracture. But no matter the break, fracture or muscle injury, it takes time for complete healing.

When learning how to chip carve for the first time AND when developing a new chip carving skill, a certain amount of time is needed for you to feel confident with your progress. Learning the basics of chip carving does NOT take a long time. But getting to the point where you can successfully execute chip carving techniques over-and-over again does require patience. Go easy on yourself! You'll get there!

2. Be patient with those trying to help you. Today the Physical Therapist came to help him get started with his exercises. My dad is very dedicated when it comes to PT which is a good thing. But it took a few days for them to get here, which is understandable. He would've like to start his PT on Sunday when he got home. That's where patience comes into play.

Several new chip carvers I've engaged with want to learn how to chip carve letters and numbers. This is a good goal to have. But when they want to carve their fiancé's name on a box for their upcoming wedding, in TWO weeks, I know they won't like to hear what I have to tell them. In so many words I'll tell them that they "have to learn to walk before they run". Immediately starting with the Letters and Numbers Course before the Chip Carving Essentials Course will most likely cause frustration and lead to defeat. Practicing patience will lead to a calm feeling of success.

3. I read several quotes on patience and this one stood out to me...

Patience is not the ability to wait. Patience is to be calm no matter what happens, constantly take action to turn it to positive growth opportunities, and have faith to believe that it will all work out in the end while you are waiting.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

Very challenging!

When it comes to chip carving, this quote puts our craft in perspective. There have been times, thankfully not often, when someone I encounter is miffed and angry about something. Maybe it's a comment made, a product, a service or something else they are very unhappy about.

Remember, this is woodcarving we're talking about! CALM DOWN!

A pastor friend once said, "A lump in your oatmeal is not the same as a lump in your breast."

I've never forgotten this although I've not applied all the time in my own life.

I think I can confidently say that all of us get used to having life a certain way and when that "way" gets changed by a cracked bone, misplaced wallet, or crummy looking finish on that carving you've worked on for the past month, it's way too easy to become impatient and unpleasant to be around.

4. Finally, a faithful mascot helps keep things in perspective when we're not feeling patient. 🙂 Yay, Chip!!!