A Philosopher’s Adventure #6

Episode #6 -An Ugly Table in a Winter Wonderland

After three weeks away, Martijn comes back to the cabin, and it is a winter wonderland. We listen to an update on the property's condition, specifically the roof. There are some leaks in the larger cabin, but Martijn “put a tarp over the tools,” and everything is fine. This is an innocuous update, but the lesson I take is that a simple solution can be a set-and-forget solution. Martijn can leave his tools for a few weeks and know that regardless of anything happening to the roof, the tools that will later fix the roof will be protected from the elements.

What are the things in our lives that we can set and forget? What are the things we set and forget but should probably actively maintain?

As I am restructuring my schedule and creative time, how can I set up a future Chris to have an easier time with his tasks? When I think about these things enough times over a more extended period, it becomes easier to build shortcuts for myself. A current example is the use of a calendar app on my phone. I get to work an hour early when no one else is there. I set up my weekly tasks, incorporating sports to watch, activities after work, and errands that need completing. The time around that gets filled with writing tasks. This helps to keep me focused when reminders pop up on my phone. Set and forget my schedule on a Monday morning so that the rest of my week is provided with focused reminders.

The Start of a Long Project

With Persistent Effort, Here is a Sneak Peek

The Basement Project

The basement project begins, and what a transformation this place goes through. The change you see from episode 6 to episode 102 is done one shovel, one stone at a time. Many hands get involved in this project. I see this and think about the idea of persistent effort. None of my creative pursuits will be finished on their own, and none of them will be done in a day. However, one step, one letter at a time, my own visions will become a reality. Important is the reminder of the difference between tangible and non-tangible rewards. Martijn pours some concrete or fills grout into a stone floor, and it’s done. My concrete retaining wall is like finishing a story outline or editing a piece in the evening. I must remind myself that my rewards are not always visible. I must be my own hype machine because I am helping myself when I take the time to outline or edit. We all have to do that, whatever our endeavors may be. To see and learn the lessons from others only works if we take the time to translate them into our own language.

From Humble Beginnings

“The Ugliest Table I’ve Ever Built”

A simple table demonstrates a simple lesson. Sometimes, the simple thing you need is a lesson we repeatedly learn during this story. There is a moment when Martijn describes the table, and he smiles and laughs at the idea of this ugly table. He is proud of the way he slaps the table. The table might be simple, but it sounds sturdy.

To A Complete and Sturdy Table

Outro

Martijn returns to the camper, where it is warm at night, and we hear the plan for the coming months. I will leave the details for you to watch, but the takeaway is the plan to have as much flexibility as possible around what he wants to work on in the early months of the year. Flexibility is something I am mindful of when building my schedule. I must be flexible around my physical recovery and chores and life. Plans are great, but when they are inflexible, they will fall apart.

Thanks for reading, see you next time.

CHR;)