Tracework

Present suffering is not enjoyable, but life would be worth little without it. The difference between iron and steel is fire, but steel is worth all it costs. Iron ore may think itself senselessly tortured in the furnace, but when the watch-spring looks back, it knows better.

-Maltbie Davenport Babcock

     I once read that when Japanese artisans’ repair shattered items they fill in the cracks with whisper thin lines of gold.  They make no attempt to return the object to its earlier incarnation - the resurrected piece forever carries a tracework of golden lines. At first blush the painstaking process might seem like a colossal waste of time and treasure, but there is a subtle lesson to be learned from the artist’s careful labor.  When the Japanese see the subtle web of golden lines crease an object they see the damage for what it really is – the physical manifestation of the items unique history.  And it is that history that makes the object rare and beautiful.

     A few days ago my path seemed brilliantly clear, but as sometimes happens a fork appeared in the road.  At first I was stunned that the map I was following no longer matched the terrain.   Anger followed a half step behind, and for a few hours I silently raged with a fury that matched the superheated atmosphere.  What quenched the flames was a simple but universal truth - sometimes you can’t have what you want.  When that happens you can succumb to bitterness and screech at the heavens at the change in circumstance or you can pick up the pieces and move forward.  Since I’ve never been big on wallowing in pity I decided to move out.  I’m not sure where this new path will lead, but if I fall again I’ll just get back up and continue forward. 

     When we leave this careworn outpost I imagine more then a few hearts will carry shimmering veins of gold.  I know mine will.  But that won’t necessarily be a bad thing.  It just means we will be unique.  And beautiful.

Comments

[Huntress]

"What quenched the flames was a simple but universal truth - sometimes you can’t have what you want." ....it's true.."you can't always get what you WANT, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you NEED"... for your own spiritual growth. Sometimes the shortest distance between where we are and where we want to be, isn't necessarily the straightest line. .

[AFSister]

wow.... I sit here in stunned profound silence. "little traces of gold in your heart"... a powerful image to illustrate a powerful meaning behind unavoidable change.

[PrimoDonna]

Your words are beautiful too!

[Maggie]

Wise fellow you are, and a very good writer. Looking back on my life, the times that I thought were the worst in my life turned out to be the best. Got me going in a different direction, a better one.

[Kay Harrison]

Beautifully written! What lovely thoughts you've managed to express in the midst of your frustration. Would that everyone could be as thoughtful. Thank you for your continued service for our country!

[Jamie Good]

Capt B— Those events in life that give you those cracks and scratches are hard to endure, and at the time are upsetting as well as distressing. But as you have said so gracefully, you will carry the scars from these lessons with you evermore and they will build and mold your character. It may be frustrating when someone changes your terrain before your eyes, but perhaps you are not suppose to be traveling to the destination you had in mind rather someplace else, that will provide you with less painful lessons. Take Good Care-jme

[Carl Blyth, Sr.]

In the days when pottery and ceramics were important to carry water, storing food, and on occasion became works of art, there were always those who tried to hoodwink the buyer. Sometimes the pots or jars would become cracked - even the slightest bit - and they would no longer be able to carry water, etc. The dishonest merchant would fill the cracks with wax and hide the crack from the unsuspecting customer. Thus the purchaser would buy the damaged goods and discover when they got home that they had purchased a flawed product. Once defrauded they could not prove that they had bought it undamaged. The term 'caveat emptor' became the watchword of the day - let the buyer beware! As the customers caught on to this scam, they developed a way to make certain that they had a pot that was whole, without a crack. Before purchasing the pot or vase, the customer would hold it in their hands, (or set it in the sun for a time), and allow their body heat to warm the vessel, then they would examine it carefully. If it was indeed and honest vessel and was 'without wax', they could see that it was as it was offered to be, whole and perfect. The words 'without wax' are 'sine cere' from which we get the word "sincere". D, I think you are one of those vessels that in a solid 'sine cere' piece of work. Thank you for sharing your heart with us.

[David]

D, What you say is true. The goal in life is knowing what path is the one to take and when a misstep takes one down the wrong path having the wisdom to stear yourself back to the correct and one true path. You sir, have that wisdom and while our paths are not the same the destination is. I'll see you in Valhalla brother. Scouts Out! D.

[devildog6771]

"The Road Not Taken" Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth. Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same. And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. by: Robert Frost Thought you might enjoy this!

[David]

D, What you say is true. The goal in life is knowing what path is the one to take and when a misstep takes one down the wrong path having the wisdom to stear yourself back to the correct and one true path. You sir, have that wisdom and while our paths are not the same the destination is. I'll see you in Valhalla brother. Scouts Out! D.

[Subsunk]

Thunder 6, Glad to see you shouldering your burden and moving on. Nothing in life is ever perfect. But even when life throws you lemons, you can make lemonade. You and your troops will be better for whatever problems you have suffered. Just don't lose hope, and press on. You will see the end of this soon. Good luck. Subsunk

[Chevy Rose]

...forks are just part of the whole dinner setting. Don't forget the spoon and the knife. God bless and stay safe. 2:28 a.m. CST

[MissBirdlegs in AL]

Something from which we can all learn. Thanks...and God Bless!

[Edward]

T6, Thank you for the wisdom. That is a "lesson from the fire" that I will also take from you and endeavor to apply in my life.

[Chris]

Thank you for this post. Wisdom that I can use and take with me. Take Care and God Bless