Thoughs for this day

Today is my 58th and it occurred to me that it is the VERY first time I have been 58,,, Like my whole life up to now I have enjoyed many firsts,,, Each time I do a carving and I have done hundreds of them it is still a first, each time I have done a piece of furniture it is a first, each time I do a drawing or painting they are first time events,,, Some refer to me as an ARTIST  or a Carver or a furniture maker or a cabinetmaker. ,,, very flattering,,, These are all descriptors of some of the things I enjoy doing not who or what I am, simply things I do. The most important to me is that I get to enjoy each as a first time experience of creating something for the first time,,, Somewhere along this journey of discovery I learned that the limitations to my abilities are directly related to my belief that I can do it!!!! Wow what a freedom!!! It is not the question of can it be done or not that concerns me, for I know others have most likely done it and that at some point it was their first time.  It is important I believe that I can from the very start. All I have ever needed to do these things is the material, time, space, and the general idea as to where to start,,, usually I just start and hang on for the ride. The opportunity to do anything is as creative as the doing sometimes. Sometimes I first have to create the opportunity and then just do it. Sometimes the oppertunity just seems to appear and the next step is to decide to start,  not to stand around and ask questions such as" can I do it or not" I simply ask do I want to or not. Sometimes people say "Well, have you ever done this before?" and I answer "NO" and they then suppose I can't because I haven't yet demonstrated my ability ,,, What a silly notion I would never accomplish anything if I followed for one second that thought. Man would still be in the cave, the earth still flat, never sailed an ocean, flown, or walked on the moon,,, SILLY ME I just know that my God gave me a brain to use, hands that work and an attitude. I am more then willing, in fact eager to make mistakes in order to discover the knowledge that "O that doesn't work" and try again till I have exhausted every other avenue if necessary. That is very valuable information it takes a lot of time and energy to gain that knowledge and maybe as valuable as HOW TO DO IT! As in, if I know the difference between the two I waste no time repeating the mistakes and focus on the successes and I am then able to go directly to accomplishing my challenge what ever it may be. Yes success depends on trusting there is a way. Yet is so many more discoveries to make along the path each adding strength. As I can ask questions of others find someone else who has done what it is I wish to do,,, Do what they did get what they got,,, SIMPLE,,, not always easy though everything becomes easier with practice and a desire to do better,,, That is how I have developed any skills. Skills that are transferable to many many things that may only be related in my little mind. Then the thought goes back to do I really wish to do this or not, the chose is then only when do I start,,,