Take the Wheel!

A few weeks ago, I started a pottery class at our city parks and rec department. It's something I've wanted to do for years, but I could never fit it into my schedule or budget. Then, a few weeks ago, there was a class listed in the spring activity guide, on the one night I don't have to struggle to make time, for a price I could afford.

Squee!

I signed up right away and got the last slot (whew!). We've had three classes so far and it's been so much fun! The teacher is great, the other people in the class are kind and encouraging and funny, and learning something new - especially something creative - has been much a much-needed respite from the same-old, same-old.

But it's not easy. 

I realized tonight that making pottery - or attempting to make pottery - is a lot like Life. 

1. It's messy. Lord have mercy, it's messy. 

2. If you don't prepare well, all the flaws in the clay will show... and weaken it.

3. It requires an amazing amount of strength. I never would have guessed how much. 

4. It also requires water... so much water.

5. Your right hand has to know what your left hand is doing at all times. You have to stay connected to yourself and to the piece you're creating in order to be even remotely successful.

6. You have no idea how it's going to turn out. Even when you think you do, you don't. 

7. It can be going along just fine, and then it just collapses. Or flies off the wheel. 

8. If you mess up, you can pretty much always turn it into something else. It might not be what you expected or what you wanted... but it'll be something. 

9. You start with nothing but potential... and you end with something tangible. It might not be what you expected or even what you wanted... but it'll be something. 

10. It can be scary to start... you can be all thumbs and have no idea what you're doing... you can spin way too fast and feel completely out of control one minute and then drag so slowly the next... you can turn out something nearly perfect and the next piece can look like a lump of nothing... it can be so frustrating... you can worry you're going to mess it up... you can completely mess it up... 

And then you can throw another piece of clay on the wheel and try again. 



My fourth piece... and the worst one so far. Go figure! 

"We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want." Tao Saying

I hope your clay pot - whatever it may look like - is holding love, laughter, and oh, so much Life!

XO,




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