Pumpkins

This week-end, I did a two-hour workshop at the wonderful Wabi-Sabi, the goal of which was to create a felted pumpkin. Something just for fun. A little harvest themed bit of "me time."

The instructor showed the three of us how to wrap our wool to make the pumpkin shape. It was all very herbal tea and hand-knitted sweaters. Not one of the six women I encountered that morning wore an ounce of make-up.

I was pretty sure I'd be able to finish my pumpkin first, once I worked out a hold for the form that allowed me pierce the thing faster. I moved on, before anyone else, to the gussets and stem. Unlike the others, I fashioned my leaves without resorting to cutting. Everyone oohh'd and aaah'd my final product, as they continued to finish their own.

Of course, I concealed the ridiculous amount of pleasure this gave me.

I have a problem.

I'm working on it.

The Mark

You know that thing about how 90% of success is showing up? I thought about that as I hustled to Pilates class the other day. On my way to showing up,the way I do every week.

On my way to showing up, exactly three minutes late.

About 20 minutes before class, the bargaining starts. I know its time to go. A voice whispers to me about one more phone call, or an email. Or maybe the voice just tells me to stare out the window. I obey that voice. 7 minutes later, I'll be flying out the door, still deluding myself that I won't be late. Again.

"How can I always miss the mark?", I wondered. Until I saw that I was right on target. Every time. Precisely, predictably 3 minutes late. I just hadn't seen where my real mark is.

My real mark isn't failure. But it sure isn't success, either.

Time to move the mark.