A Philosopher’s Adventure #21
Episode #21 - Complication Made Simple & Failure to Success
It’s Only Complicated If You Look at Everything at Once
Martijn stops to explain the deck. He opens by debunking what I was thinking: “This looks complicated.” He explains the process for creating the deck in a program and how simple it is to build the rings of the deck and then add supports. Only one angle must be added to certain boards; the supports are 90-degree cuts. When looking at all the steps involved and the project size, it is easy to be turned away by the idea of building a deck. The projects of life don’t have to be accomplished all at once. When they are broken down into their parts, and the requirements turn out to be quite simple, there are probably many things in my life that I would be less scared of if I took the time to understand their parts. I’m not going to build a deck anytime soon. However, I think this lesson can apply to something like “complex” baking recipes. I have a novel that I need to redo the outline and refamiliarize myself with the headspace I was in when writing the first draft. The first step is to reread the first draft. It is a long process, but required, and small steps will get me there over time.
It is easy for our insecurities and the unknown to prevent us from growing our skills and confidence. I know I’m guilty of falling into the trap and can’t be unique.
The Failure and Rise of Breadmaking
Breadmaking becomes a regular feature in this story, and I love the journey it takes in this episode. The first try fails spectacularly. The second fails off camera, and the third attempt gets close; it has some burning on the bottom but is edible. The theme of try and try again is shown here. Over the life of the story, we will see Martijn get into artisanal breadmaking. The development of the skill is on full display. The willingness to fail and try again. The analysis of what went wrong. The first loaf in this episode, the fire was too hot. In the second, a wet dough and hot fire made for a weird loaf, but the third try was the charm.
It’s bread; is it really that big of a deal? No, but there are so many “keep going, keep trying” lessons we can take from projects all over the homestead that when we return to something like breadmaking, the core lessons learned in sticking to the goal show their rewards. This is something we can try at home. I say that knowing full well the starter craze of the pandemic years. Lots of people are making bread at home. Be it bread or painting or novel writing, the failure of a previous attempt is not the reason we should quit our pursuits.
The Moments that bring Calm, Growth, and Potential
Martijn is an excellent filmmaker. The first 90 seconds of the episode make you slow down. You are in the space as he does some shores while we are shown a b-roll of nature as a backdrop of calming music that slows our breathing. It all fades into the continued construction of the deck filled with the sound of birds that play an ever-present role in this story.
I always enjoy a good “OSHA violation” when I see one. Who doesn’t enjoy seeing a drill pointed toward the operator’s shins? Yes, the angle makes this look worse than it is; don’t ruin my good time.
We see concrete being made for the first time. I’m writing this when episode 117 is about to be released, and a ton of concrete and/or mortar has been made over the course of the cabin restoration. I didn’t think about the significance of this moment the first time I watched it. Knowing what I know now, this is a moment I can look on with some nostalgic significance.
Thanks for reading, see you next time.
CHR;)
