5 Things I Learned From A Wood Carving Class Full Of Old Men
DENVER (CBS4) - Carving wood is a unique experience in itself, not necessarily an everyday skill, but the people I spent six weeks with proved to be the interesting part.
Thanks to an early work schedule and broken leg, I had enough time to take an afternoon woodworking class over the summer. For two hours each week I found myself at a quiet community center beside fellow beginner wood carvers, mostly older gentlemen wise in the ways of the world.
My instructor was the Dumbledore of wood carving: an artistic minimalist whose rare and carefully-chosen words held meaning. He also had the hair and beard combo.
From carving Bavarian and Polynesian designs alongside him and the other time-tested men in my class, I learned a number of truths about life:
- Life is long. From living in different countries, having multiple marriages, and learning new skills at any age, these old men taught me there is plenty of life to live. The stories are endless and I'm always surprised to learn how full an older person's life has been.
- Travel, it's good for you. Every person in my class was able to share stories of international travel and worldly experiences. There's no doubt you learn a lot about yourself and how the world works through travel, something reinforced by my classmates.
- We all have something in common. I've never found this to be truer than in a wood carving class with white-haired men as a female millennial. We no doubt came from all walks of life, but gathered on the single interest of carving wood. I continually found myself contributing to the conversation of those who've lived three times the life I have.
- Don't judge a book by its cover. We hear it all the time, yet often can't help it. I was tested in my class of old men, and reminded that making assumptions too quickly can ruin the potential. There is always potential to meet someone interesting or do something enthralling.
- Age is just a number. It's a common phrase, but I believe it's true. The life you live determines your age, and the men I met fell in every range of the spectrum. I couldn't help but admire the Santa Claus-looking grandfather who lived like a 30-year-old vagabond.
