Compassion and Clay

One of the things that I love about working with and teaching clay is the wonderful life lessons that come out of it. It was in conversation with one my students a few weeks ago, that we came upon another one. It was a metaphor that bounced back and forth. My student was frustrated because the things that she was making kept collapsing for no apparent reason. 

I told her that drying time is kind of like aging in humans- we have different abilities and also different weaknesses as we age. The trick is to learn what those qualities are on an intimate and intuitive level and  take advantage of the abilities of the age while having patience, compassion and real acceptance for the things we cannot do.

I would break if I tried to do a back flip at this age, but I can lift 50 lbs of clay and run a business. 

The clay is wonderfully pliable and soft when it is in its plastic state, but it can only be so tall and thin before it collapses under its own weight. When it looses some moisture, it looses that malleability, but wow it can really hold itself up! The fact that it cannot bend easily at this point and will crack if you try, is the other side of the same quality that gives it the strength to hold itself up.

If you are frustrated with yourself or your kid or your aging parent, I wonder if your expectations are appropriate for their time in life? 

As we learn to be patient, compassionate and accepting with the clay, can we turn that back on ourselves and not push so darn hard, or give ourselves the support we need, or just enjoy who we are now?

I just got a fresh sense of ease with that thought. I would love to hear your thoughts! Please comment- lets spin this metaphor out!

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