Whining as a gateway to goodness

Someone finally said it and it hits home in a way.  Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville posted “You Asked for it. . . Here it is“.  Spoiler Alert: she’s asking quilters to stop whining.  And in the kindest way possible.  I gotta give Bonnie props for simply asking.  Bonnie goes on to explain why the directions for the quilt/s are written the way they are and most importantly that quilters are smart and have the capability of learning something new in the process of piecing this particular quilt.

All through Scripture there are examples of whining, complaining, b*tching, “why me Lord” starting with Adam & Eve through Jesus’ time and in the early Church.  Yi yi yi.  Example after example.  Holy Person after Holy Person at sometime whined.  At some point though the whining had to stop, a realization made that whatever this (now) Holy Person needed was right there in front of them and all they needed to do was stop and look and take action.  Okay that’s rather simplified but we all get the point.
The other day I posted Go Mini Part 2 in which I share part of the conversation I have with my customers and students “you are a smart intelligent woman, you can do this”.  Often times it’s our “I can’t do this”, “I’m not good enough”, “I don’t have the right tool for the job” thinking that gets in the way of us actually doing something really amazing or taking a risk and doing something AWESOME!

Seth Godin mentions this too on his blog today.  (I am reminded of that beautiful book Hinds Feet on Higher Places) The precipice is not that high.  You can do this.  You can make this quilt, write this book and learn something beautiful from it.  Even if that learning means pausing to think about the possible solutions.

Lest anyone thing this is directed at any one person, it’s not.  It’s something I see – Even from myself – from time to time and more often than not the solution is simple.  In Bonnie’s case she has no clue how many strips that need to be cut because she’s not the quilter choosing the size and method for the quilt that is being made.
I’ll add here too I’ve said to quilters, “I’d like to quilt like you when I grow up”.
Um

well

uh

er

I realized a while ago that what I really want to be is a skilled quilter like they are and I need to do the work to get there.  No matter how much I try to be like that quilter my own style and personality shine through.  And I’m choosing to presume that if any quilter wants to be like me that they’re committed to working hard, whining occasionally to a friend, asking for help when needed and working through the solutions to make their art happen.

I am going to go slightly further out on this limb and say let’s work to change the perception and culture of quilting by choosing to stop and think before whining and complaining that “somethings not fair”.  Let’s change the culture and perception of quilting by committing to learning something new and seeking out help when we need it.  Let’s change the culture and climate of quilting by choosing to be kind in how we approach teachers, pattern writers and award winning quilters by emulating their hard work.  Need to whine? Whine to friends who can lift you up and offer you life giving solutions.

You are

smart

intelligent

and

you

can

do this!

Happy Quilting!

Teri