Avoid Rejection

March 5, 2025February 28, 2025 Jennifred Jones

Volunteer! Who would’ve thought?!

98% (my guesstimate) of stuff that needs to be done could be done by volunteer effort!

‘I don’t know what to do with my life.’ Everywhere I apply for a job I get rejected.’ ‘Every idea I suggest gets shot down.’ ‘Woe is me.’

Yet there is a whole array of work that needs to get done. Ideas that need to be thought about and worked on. So, get started! Volunteer – somewhere, anywhere, no other people needed to tell you what to do or when to start or quit. You’re on your own schedule! You set the pace and before you know it you’ll be talking with people who see you doing useful things and they’ll ask questions etc. In the meantime, you’re developing skills, keeping your mind sharp while thinking of better ways to help and do stuff. Go somewhere and say, ‘Hey, what can I do to help out here?’ ‘I know how to do this and that…’ You’d be surprised the reaction you’ll get. Begin there and go back again to help, and again and again. People will remember your good work.

All you are doing is being a helpful human being helping other human beings. Take a brief survey of your area, where you live, where you shop, your downtown, shelters, parks and so forth and go ‘sign up’ to volunteer.

My daughter-in-law says, ‘the world is your oyster’ …and there are many undiscovered pearls waiting to be uncovered. Get out your broom or rake or gardening gloves or wash rags and look for ‘work’. You will find plenty to do and your sense of satisfaction will be huge!

Don’t let these opportunities go to waste. Volunteers are wanted everywhere!

Test Your Work

July 25, 2024July 22, 2024 Jennifred Jones

Why? Why test my work? Are you saying there might be something wrong or inferior about it?

This is a necessary part for all good work and craftsmen of all categories. We want to know what we made works and is enduring. We want to know it will be a delight in the hands of the receiver. They will appreciate it. It will work for them as was intended.

So, there’s no judgment here other than self-judgement, and that is our right as the creator to take apart and examine closely, remake or reword what we’ve made so it meets our satisfaction! We are testing our work! Will it stand?

All things made by us humans are subject to the learning curve. The idea strikes us. We plan, design, draw, make, produce and there we have it! ‘How do you like it?’ we ask. Then come suggestions – ours or others – how to improve it or redesign it completely. This way, we’re always building something, always thinking better thoughts, learning from the thoughts of others. The cycle continues from one idea to the next and progress is made, and people are helped.

Do you test your work? Are you subject to your own scrutiny? Will you allow the scrutiny of others? You will be the final judge of your work. So, what you say about it matters most.

Do your good work, do your best work and then test it. Do you like it? Then send it out, give it away, sell it, whatever you decide to do, but do your good work!

Our world needs you!

What am I good at? What do I like to do?

The Feel for Your Craft

August 17, 2022August 15, 2023 Jennifred Jones

A rough gouge in the back of the stair bannister needed to be filled; it would splinter your hand going up or down the steps.

It has taken about 4 layers of wood putty smoothed evenly by my fingers, and then sanded multiple times to feel the same as the rest of the beautifully shaped long piece of wood. Having puttied lots of wood projects, plastered many cracks, and frosted countless cakes (frosting cakes was where the skill began :)), I have developed a feel for the craft through a spatula!

So the baker can feel when the pie dough is just right to roll, the bread is smooth enough to rise, the scones are ready to shape…

The blacksmith can feel with his hammer if the metal is soft enough to pound and form, even the asphalt rollers know when the road is firmed and smoothed enough for traffic to flow.

Knitters know by feel the yarn over the needles, as do sewers feeding a garments fabric under the sewing machine’s foot.

We are made to start, learn, understand and develop crafts of all kinds. Everyone develops a feel for the work they do if they keep at it, and they will excel in their crafting!

‘It’s taking too long! It’s not turning our right!! I have to do it all over again!!!’

You are a craftsman learning your trade…whatever it may be, and no trade is beneath a person’s dignity or worth. We need good laborers in every field! (see previous posts on Laborers 1,2,3)

Develop a feel for your craft. There is no shame in the good work you are doing. No need to compare yours with another’s…all are valuable…they all fill a need for someone. There would be a void without your skill.

Make it good! Yes, you can!!

Jamie Oliver is in today’s showcase! In spite of his renown, many still don’t know his story. He learned his craft alongside his parents in their English Pub…stirring, cooking, baking, concocting with any sort of veg or herb. His presentations are lovely, appetizing and doable! Early in his 20’s, he was on a mission to change the lunch menus of Britain’s schools and raise the standard of healthy thinking/studying, and after success there, came to America to help us. Find the story on uTube Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. Check out his website and his great cookbooks written with heart and soul and health for any of us! https://www.jamieoliver.com/