I couldn’t believe the ease of use. Within seconds the wood was smooth. Almost buttery. It’s not like I don’t know how a sander works. But I had limped along with the old one for so long, I suppose I had just gotten used to the lack of function. 

I don’t mind it so much with tools. But what it really has me wondering is, in what other areas am I just getting by? In life, relationships, work, how long do I struggle with the dust blowing in my face? The repetition of movement to get only a mediocre outcome? When is good enough not good enough? When is it just enough already. 

And I know, we’re always supposed to keep trying. It’s biblical even. The old 7 x 70… But when I think about it, I’m not sure it meant keep doing it in the same way, over and over. Sometimes you need a new strategy. Because I’m sure you already know the definition of insanity…perhaps we can just shorten it by saying it’s using the same old tool. 

I’m not trying so much to teach you, but learn myself. The answers are usually right in front of me, in hand as it were. So I pass them along. “Run your hand and heart across this,” I say, “it feels just like butter.”