This loom reminded me that everything in life requires hard work. No one gets much of anything of value for free. Some one, somewhere had to work, and most likely had to work very hard. When I saw this loom all set up and ready to go, it made me think about the hours and hours spent getting ready. What I mean is the work didn’t start when the first row of yarn was pulled. The work started when the craftsperson thread the foundational lines before the first row was pulled. Someone had to do the setup work, the foundational activities in order for the weaving to begin. They spent time setting up and tying the threads to make the framework for the final piece.
I think sometimes we forget the amount of effort and time it takes to simply get things set up. We want excellence and success, yet forget that getting to the beginning can be a time consuming process. Getting to start usually is not where things started. It takes great effort to prepare and prepare well for success. Nothing is achieved overnight, it only seems that way. The behind the scenes stuff is not glamorous or exciting, and often gets ignored or forgotten. Yet if the set up work is done poorly the rest of it will fall apart. Without a solid foundation built with care and excellence, the work simply doesn’t last.
Give yourself a break. Stop worrying about how long it is taking you to get started on whatever it is you are working towards. Know that the efforts you put in behind the scenes and before anyone notices IS the work that sets a solid foundation for your future. The hard work now will pay off later. The stronger the foundation is that you build now, the longer the final piece will endure. No one may have any idea of how much you are working, work hard anyway. People may not understand what you are doing or why you are doing it…do it anyway. You know that what you do now solidifies the foundation of your future, and your future is worth the effort.
Ann Art Gallery Blog 