The Creation
Please, allow me to share with you a portion of the book I’m writing. Technically I finished writing it. It is now going through the first revision. I waited a week from the time I finished writing it to the first revision. That helps me to see it like it was the first time. I don’t consider myself a writer but I am truly having fun with this. I wanted to share this with you:
We all know the story. In the beginning God created heaven and earth, then the creation story continued. God spoke the word and it was created. That is the real deal when it comes to voice recognition, voice-activated systems in action. Creating man was different. God spoke to himself and formed man from the dust of the earth creating a bond between man and nature, and moreover, a bond between God and man as he breathed the breath of life. Man was not only formed in God’s image but also received the essence of God inside. Why is that so fascinating to me? Sculpting!
Sculpting the figure allows me to feel like I’m sharing the moment of creation with God. I’m creating a bond between the figure and the material I am using and providing life, in some sense, to something that had no life. I am sure that a lump of clay on the table is not going to form itself. I form the figure. I decide the shape and thickness of the muscles, the proportions, and each curve means something. It all makes sense. The process of sculpting is physical and it is spiritual. Each sculpture shares my DNA and the RNA of the material, but it also shares part of my essence.
It is going to take almost a year to complete the sculptures that are included in the book. I honestly can’t wait to see it all together with the pictures and be able to read it surrounded by the sculptures. I hope you enjoy this sample.
I Am Forty
Yes, I am forty. What does that mean? It means I reached an age of enlightenment and wisdom. Being 40 means that anyone under the age of 28 could technically be my son or daughter. That statement in itself changes the way you see people and how you see yourself. Being 40 means that I am not as fast or strong as I used to be but I can still play sports with people half my age with the advantage that I have nothing to prove. The pressure is all on them. If I win, they get defeated by an old man. If I lose, I’m just old. It is a win-win situation for me.
It is good to understand the advantages and limitations of your own body at any age. I am aware of mine. I do have to start working out again for health purposes. I am really not concerned about the beauty aspects of working out because it really doesn’t get any better than this. My only concern is giving away my favorite jeans because my voice changes if I wear them. If I didn’t look like Hugh Jackman 10 years ago, it is not going to happen in the next 10 years. I take smart over handsome any day because smart gets better with age, handsome is just a path downhill after certain age. Either way I’m happy with my appearance. I just need to do my part to stay healthy.
Going back to how you see yourself and others, I think Paul provided a guideline to Timothy (1 Timothy 5:1-2) that transcends any age:
Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
I am very happy to make it until today. It is going to be a regular busy day with all the blessings as any other day, but I’m glad I can be close to my wife and kids, what I have and what I do, and what I have to do. Here is for another day, celebrating each day like the last, but working as if I have 100 more years to live. The plan is to be 40 until I turn 50.