Trying Something New with Beginner’s mind

My Own Utopian Experiment #5: Lost interest came back when I became a better listener to myself, Pottery

(I am posting a very raw picture this time. My work station is not so pretty but it is perfect for my story. New experience can be messy and challenging but highly rewarding at the same time.)

My interest in pottery started in college years. I thought about taking some classes to learn more but got busy with my science degree. The “real” young adult life got hold of me and drifted further away from my interest which seemed less important. Eventually, I totally forgot about it. I did not realize the value of having fun and nurture my interest back then. I was goal-driven and really wanted to achieve something on my own. I put all my energy into three areas of my life, school (graduated with all most all As and two Bs), part-time jobs and family. I truly did my best with the knowledge and experience but it was black and white.

The interest came back when I became a better listener to my inner world.  I wanted to create one mug from scratch. It was not about the end product but more about the process of making it from the beginning to the end. It must be satisfying to create something from zero! I decided to sign up with ceramic classes, one registration covers 5 sessions. I felt my hesitation and worried a bit about my schedule for a moment. As a full-time working mom, schedule conflict is usually my issue. After work, I only have narrow time period when my hubby is home with my child. My energy level is poor during the time too. Many working parents with small child would understand it. I reminded myself to practice abundance knowing there’s enough time to take the classes. I have all the powers and energies in me to figure things out for my learning and joy. Pure enjoyment. I took a deep breath. I hit the button to register. Next two weeks, I had something to look forward to. I was obligated to go by paying in advance. This trick often works for me.

I wish I can tell you the experience was the picture perfect and exactly what I expected. In reality, new learning challenges your patience. It reminds you that you are a beginner every step of the way. Even I looked into the process little bit ahead time, I missed many parts. It is so true that you see as much as you know. You can’t look up what you do not know at all. The process carved the fat out of my ego and made it lean. It made me humble in order to learn. Pottery wheel was harder than I thought. When you look someone else is doing, it looks easy but needed very good control. It is less about techniques but building muscles memories that your body remembers by practices. Very honest work! I immediately realized that 5 classes won’t be enough to master it. It would just touch the surface.

Originally, I went to make a mug but lowered the expectation to the realistic goal, any piece that I can make on my own on the pottery wheel. I started with a clay enough to be a bowl or mug for my first trial. I kept cutting the parts that are not good. It became little shot mug with some help from the teacher. I meant to have a nice size bowl for my morning oats as my second project.  When it is half-way down, I noticed it is not centered evenly. Skilled person can fix this but I knew I was going to make a hole if I go further. I ended up with a quite think smaller bowl. I made an additional bowl so three small pieces. The teacher rescued me here and there to teach me what to do when certain things happen. I can’t say I mastered what to do next time but I experienced the process from a chuck of clay to a piece. It does not end here. The pieces will be dried until next class and I will have to trim it. Trimming was hard too. Beginners can ruin the pieces while trimming. Then it will be fired at lower temperature for me to paint and glaze. Then, fire it once again. This is why hand-made pieces are expensive. It takes so much time and efforts in multiple steps.

I felt somewhat frustrated and defeated first two classes. I constantly had to remind myself that I was there to have fun and learn. New learning can be challenging but the reward is very high too. What I need is the beginner’s mind. Stay curious and embrace the learning curve. Celebrate little steps. Let go of my ego and be humble. Accept it with patience. Most importantly, be kind to myself in the meanwhile. I am looking forward to the rest of three classes. I will share the pieces when I am done. Stay tunned and think about what gave you pure joy when you were a child or younger.