Carving Pencils

Rules of Engagement

Carving Pencils

Dalton Ghetti carves the tips of pencils. He has carved a tiny alphabet on 26 pencils, and one features Elvis. One pencil has the original lead tip, but inside the body of the pencil, he has carved a small chain with a heart hanging from it.

I often wonder where people find the passion for the things they do. Some people might call them fanatics, but when someone has a real desire to do something, logic, the cost, the consequences are often ignored. We may criticize what their desire is doing to them or others in their life, but we can’t fault their dedication.

Is there something which you are willing to dedicate the rest of your life? Like Gandhi, would you spend your life gaining independence for India? Would your quest involve climbing the tallest mountains? Would you build a house for a needy family? Would you do that thing you are sent here for, no matter the consequences?

Carl Jung coined a term you may want to learn. When there is a coincidence which appears in your life, when the series of events seem related, but are not obviously caused by one another, you are experiencing synchronicity. I like to think of synchronicity as the way the universe tries to get our attention, not like a slap to the face but more like a gentle nudge. When you experiencing a synchronicity, others may not know what is happening. They might not see the connections you are seeing, but don’t let their blindness to it cloud your vision. Sometimes it is two people meeting in the right place at the right time; often it is someone taking two different ideas and combining them into something new and wonderful everyone will want to have. Sometimes it is just a point in your life where the light bulb goes off and you discover an idea which has been bubbling just under the surface of your consciousness, you may be ready to take the leap from being an observer. From being a watcher to one of those other people shake their heads at, and wonder what madness has overtaken them. Pay attention to synchronicity; the universe is trying to send you a message. Are you listening?

One of the reasons we ignore our gut feelings, our real desires or our dreams is the path they may set us upon may look like work. The second step to finding your own path may seem to require so much effort it seems overwhelming. We get discouraged and quit before we begin. The amount of work required to get from here to there is ridiculous. But changing the world is a lot of work. I’m sure there are many, many people who have started out with their seed of a dream and as they chiseled away bit by bit trying to get something accomplished, they discovered there was a long road of other seeds to be planted and obstacles to be broken away. This is the place where most of us decide whatever it is we are trying to accomplish really isn’t worth it. Maybe that is a good decision, but maybe it isn’t. Only you will be able to tell if it is time to stop, or venture boldly into a different future.

But somewhere along the line, the work aspect vanishes, and the joy of the process makes what others would perceive as insanity. We have then crossed into the rarified region where we are sure we are doing what we are sent here to do that others may consider fanaticism. Our passion may scare or confuse others, but once you have been gripped by your idea, your goal, your aspiration, then nothing else matters. Nothing can stand in your way. Now get ready for the best part of this whole process. If what you are spending your life doing doesn’t bring an incredible happiness, lightness, and energy, then you may not be on the right path. Expect a crazy kind of dizziness at the magnificent world, the beauty of everything you see, combined with the ability to see problems only as solvable. You can accomplish anything, or at least you feel that way. Not a bad way to spend the time we have.

Others may see someone spending way too much time carving small sculptures into the lead of pencils with a needle and a razor. But if you asked Dalton Ghetti, you may find he is doing exactly what he wants, exactly what he is supposed to be doing, exactly why he is here now. Don’t wait for someone else to define your purpose. Pay attention to that gentle nudge, get ready to work hard and get ready for some real happiness. Then, get ready for the ride of your life.

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