Falling in place

"to become well organized in a way that makes success likely"

Everything is coming up roses, everything is falling in place, the stars are aligning, and the Midas touch are a few ways in which we describe that flow in life where the dots just seem to connect themselves as you sit back and watch life unfold. There have been times in my life when all that seemed necessary to bring an idea to fruition was to simply say it out loud and conversely moments when no matter how hard I pushed and strained I couldn’t birth a new idea to save my own life. It seems there may be a time and place for everything and while we think we know whats best for us and when, the Universe has its own timeline and often we could be left waiting at the station for a train that may never come.

I was literally putting pavers into place in my backyard when I was approached with the idea of helping a new local business get established and put their systems in place. I was also asked if I would consider working outside of the office in a different capacity. I imagine I had sweat running down my temples and dirt on my cheeks when the idea first came to fruition. While I may have had a part in the concept it didn’t originate from me. This is strange territory for me, I’m usually the one with the ideas and then left with convincing one or two others to come along for the ride. Lately after years of having an easy time establishing start ups I had begun striking out at organizing a team and the energies required to get an idea of the ground. George liked to remind me to relax and not worry, when it was time something that made sense would show up. In the meantime, while I waited my nervous energy was getting the best of me so I flung myself into many different volcanoes. I decided I could put in a large patio, create a custom fire with left over bricks and pavers, regrade our lawn and establish new gardens, I began chipping away at old paint on the front porch, I attempted to finish an old novel I had started writing and ended up beginning a third, I cleaned out every closest and cabinet in the house, and still found myself with enough anxious energy that I completed a 3000 piece puzzle and begun fervently writing everyday here on Substack.

I shifted my focus inward each time I seemed to hit a wall. I wondered what I was missing, what still needed healing, and why no matter how hard I spun I was still very much stuck. When we’re lost our focus becomes very narrow, we tend to capitulate on ‘why me?’, I was no different. I looked at sending out stacks of resumes as somehow a measure of my self worth, and zeroed in on jobs that required far more time and energy than I was desiring to give, in order to justify my existence, I guess. When I was approached to help a new business in an industry I grew up with but did my best to stay away from, something shifted and suddenly I saw a path forward that I could get excited about. I had never kept books for a sole proprietor, the business was launching with an unexpected twist far from the norm of carpentry, and the proprietor was incredibly creative, highly imaginative and multi tasking, and could shift gears faster than just about anyone I had met. I thought to myself that it would either create a working environment from heaven or a shit storm we’d both want to run with. My match had found me, nearly mirrored images of one another in the way we approach life, community, and business with some curious differences tying everything together in the most interesting way.

In order for things to begin falling in place in my life, I had to let go of some old ideas and preconceived notions about what my life would look like at this age. I had hoped not to start over once again, and in some ways I am leaning on past experiences, but mostly each day brings new lessons and practices so that I may consider myself in a new light. The business I have fallen into builds things. Yet, ironically it is not a carpentry service at its heart. There is a philosophy that guides its growth and expansion more than anything else, ANYONE can build. Just like anyone can sing, we just need to remember not to expect to be singing at Madison Square Garden when you first begin to perform. Building is a series of steps taken when combined with knowledge, proper tools, and experience on hand via a mentor become doable and enjoyable. Building is an umbrella term for the business, Village Green Housewrights, which encompasses the fundamental ideas of community, repurposing, sharing, helping, and understanding why things might have been done certain ways in the past. It respects the knowing that ANYONE means EVERYONE. Each project has a litany of tasks that need to be moved through in order to reach the completion stage. These tasks provide a learning ground for individuals of all levels.

I grew up in a family that built. I am familiar with the tools of each trade and have limited knowledge about how things are done. I am far from being an expert or even efficient in most areas. I can do the tasks that are logical and straight forward; I can dig holes, move rocks, paint surfaces, plant perennials, wallpaper, sand rough surfaces, and offer an extra set of hands when needed. The idea of using power tools with blades and having to measure precisely scares me to death. We’ll have to see how that goes. That may take some time before I tackle any of those projects from home, but one must never say never. George has enjoyed watching this new venture unfold from the sidelines. It has been a win win for both me and our home. When something fits like a glove, you just know it. When you are able to grow and expand without feeling as though you’ve been run ragged, life begins to make more sense.