Success in the little things:

Tonite I put together a new desk chair for my home office. This may seem very simple to most of you, but for me it is a HUGE accomplishment. I HATE reading instructions; I have trouble completing things in sequence (which is VERY important if you are going to sit on a chair with several parts!); and I'm mechanically challenged...I now know what an Allen wrench (but I think it's neat this piece of equipment has a nice 1st name) is, and I think I even used it correctly: does that give you any indication?

Last week I painted and stenciled a chair...another big risk for me. I'm completely inept at "artistic" types of pursuits. I can't paint, draw, sew, needlepoint or do crafts in general. When God was handing out artistic craftiness, He passed by me by in a big way. Basically, I cannot seem to grasp how to put things/items together to get a result that is attractive: or even recognizable!

I have a few things I feel confident in doing, but many more things that seem to push every "I AM SO DUMB" button. I hope I'm not the only one that feels that way. Actually, I avoid buying anything I have to assemble, or trying anything that requires artistic expression because I'm so lame at both things. HOWEVER, I have a friend who really encourages me to go out of my comfort zone. It's not because of any speech she's given me, it's because I watch her do it a lot. She's up for trying anything: painting, sewing, sawing, assembling, etc. It doesn't seem to really bother her if she makes a mistake: in fact, she seems to find great humor in those "funky failures"...Her husband does too! I love that about her, and about their relationship. It sure has given me the courage to try to do things I previously avoided altogether.

Lessons learned?
1. You just never know who is watching you...even if they don't consciously mean to be watching: it's more like being an absorbent sponge! How we handle new things; successes and failures can really be a "make or break it" for those around us. If we can handle our own weaknesses and "treks" into new territories with joy and humor, then maybe those around us will be encouraged to do the same!

2. Sometimes getting a little success in a small thing can help you move on to the next BIG thing. I don't know what that means yet, but I'm pretty sure it involves hardware!

:-)