Tag: work

In Any Land

Jennifred Jones

In any land you have a mix of people. You have a mix of thoughts.

  • The positive thinkers the negative thinkers.
  • The good doers the bad doers.
  • Those who have direction and those who’ve lost their direction.
  • Those who have hope and those with no hope.

All these contrasts and differences; how can they work, live – even be together? We who are strong are to bear the infirmities of the weak, yet each man must bear his own load. How does this all work?

That’s why there are standards/guiding principles to help us live even when we don’t feel the best or want to do the best. I’m thinking of two right now:

  1. In as much as possible with you, be at peace with all men. You do what you can, and let the rest be, and continue on with your life.
  2. The Golden Rule: Treat others as you want to be treated. Again, do your best and leave the rest.

If in our little areas (our ‘campsites’) we abide by these guidelines, we will find ways to work together and meet the needs of others.

Let’s work together.

Test Your Work

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?

Work with Your Own Hands

Jennifred Jones

I believe this is the key to the most successful products. They were first made from the work of someone’s own hands.

Careful analysis, observation from start to finish ensures success of the project begun. Which materials work best? Will this weave of fabric work with that one. Do the colors complement each other? Is the design pleasing to the eye? Is the wood chosen strong enough for the build? is it the right density to carve what I’ve planned? Is the paint thick enough or too thin for the picture I want to paint and is the canvas correctly prepared? Am I using a quality butter filled with flavor to enhance my cooking? Are the fruits and vegetables at their peak ripeness for the best taste? Maybe I need to start over again.

All little things which add up to big things – the final product. Did we skimp? Or did our hands tell us we needed to work a bit harder or longer on the lump of clay turning on the wheel? The fabric didn’t hang quite right…the wood was warped and knotted…the paint was low quality and didn’t cover well or was not a rich color…it was margarine, not butter…the fruits were picked too early and never ripened.

Our good hands will tell us about our work if we train them and let them speak for themselves. From the butcher the baker and the candlestick maker, we can learn from working with our own two hands.

We can experience satisfaction from a job well done – one that others will enjoy using and be the better for – having your product.

I think we’re in another creative revolution of sorts. After being held down and back the last four years, people have risen to the occasion and begun to do what they are best at…thinking and making things with their own two hands.

The ideas and products have been phenomenal! We are making, selling, buying what we want again from person to person, small business to small business. All this ensures quality, originality, and good customer service. Our work depends on it.

How do you feel about your product?