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DAVID BENTLEY'S WEEKLY COLUMN |
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WHAT KEEPS ME GOING
I'm a knitter. That is, I'm a person who knits. There is a photograph of another male knitter and myself in the local yarn shop. We were both knitting when his wife snapped the photo. Below the picture is a phrase that has become a sort of cliche among male knitters. It says, "Man enough to knit. Strong enough to purl." However the caption, "Knitting ain't for sissies," might have been a better choice. Although much has been written on the philosophy of knitting, I've discovered that knitting itself is a great teacher. I've learned to take whatever happens with my knitting as a metaphor on life; and, as we all know, life ain't for sissies either! Knitting requires that choices be made, and decisions about new projects can be confusing. Patterns must be selected, and appropriately textured yarns in pleasing colors must be chosen; but if I don't like the results, I can change my mind and start over. I will likely make mistakes, but mistakes can almost always be fixed. Sometimes there is a simple solution. Other times I have to rip out a lot of stitches. I must be willing to do whatever it takes to correct the mistake or else live with it. My emotional state affects my knitting, too. If I'm anxious or upset, my stitches will be tight and uneven. If I'm gloomy or inattentive, my stitches become loose and sloppy. When I'm in the flow, my knitting takes on a meditative rhythm. When I'm in a hurry, I end up ripping out more rows than I knit. If my knitting goes so well that my ego starts to swell, I can be sure that a dropped stitch (or worse) will reveal itself shortly. Can knitting be frustrating? Absolutely. Like any process, some parts are easier than others. In the final analysis, however, I keep on knitting because I enjoy it.
© 2006 David Bentley David Bentley, M.Ed. & Personal Coach, coaches clients through the game of life, helping them find balance, clarity of direction, and purpose in an ever-changing world. You may contact him at 360.378.8436 by e-mail at david@coachbentley.com or visit his Web site: www.coachbentley.com |
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SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008 |
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