It’s Hard To Be Humble
As many of you know, I founded the Gwinnett Woodworkers Association in Atlanta, Georgia in 1998 while I worked at Home Depot as a millwork specialist. That woodworking club has become one of the most active organizations in America today with nearly 200 members. They are scheduled to meet every Saturday morning at 8 am. The GWA currently has three special interest groups, turning, scroll saw and computer users which each meet once a month. That is 7 to 8 meetings per month if one is that dedicated or 84 to 96 each year not accounting for holidays or special hands-on learning sessions with woodworking experts from every corner of the planet.
Each meeting is fully structured and all follow the same format. In the opening 20-30 minutes a show-and-tell session is included where members bring their recent or relevant projects to share with the group. Early on I discovered that nearly everyone talking about their project would invariably point out even the tiniest flaw. God forbid they would get something perfect and show it off before their fellow club members in a braggadocios way. Most of the time we would struggle to see what they were talking about since the alleged flaw was minuscule and unnoticeable to even the most discerning critic.
Somewhere along the way I invoked a rule: Members are not allowed to say anything negative about their item. They are not allowed to point out mistakes. They may only share positive comments and beneficial lessons learned from their projects. I had concluded that their negative comments were a subconscious effort to be humble before fellow members and I decided we would be better off without all of the negatives. After all, if they were ashamed of an item, they wouldn’t have brought it in the first place.
It’s hard to be humble after a while. If you know me at all either through personal contact perhaps at a woodworking show, some of my YouTube videos or, DVD’s I’ve been doing this long enough to have figured out a few things. What you will never hear me say or see me do in a video is point out a mistake or flaw. Not that I am perfect or never make a mistake you will have to find it for yourself.
If you don’t notice my mistake in the first place, it isn’t that important. It is OK for you to think it is perfect and that I’m just that good at what I do.
The normal tendency is for everyone to share the mistakes in an effort not to project that “I’m better than you” attitude. It is hard to be humble, but I would encourage you to at least not point out the little piddling stuff when everything else you did was so great. Remember, wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this message:
Numbers 12:3 NIV (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)
Job 8:7 NIV Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.
1 Peter 5:6 NIV Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
PS
Lyrics to the Song by Mac Davis https://genius.com/Mac-davis-its-hard-to-be-humble-lyrics
Introducing New Designs for 2017
Still Smoking Hot From The Laser!
We are updating the website with these new designs. If you can't find them, just tell me which designs you want in the comments section or drop me a note with your choices. Each kit will have 4 panels the same, i.e. 4 bears, 4 sleighs, 4 Rudolphs, 4 bells. If you order 4 kits total and use one panel from each kit you can have 4 ornaments with one panel each of each design.
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Announcing a New Class of Laser Cut Kit Item
4" Inlay
I have been working on this concept for some time now. Please give us a day or two to get this new item posted on the web site at www.ronbrownsbest.com.
These inlays are 4" in diameter x 1/4" thick. They are perfect as inlays in the bottom of a commemorative plate or platter and will even work in bowl bottoms. They can be used as coasters in sets of 4 or more. The perimeter is cherry wood, the inner circle is American Black Walnut and the monogrammed letter is white acrylic.
You can use them for any special occasion such as anniversaries, weddings, new baby, graduation, job promotion, etc. Check the web site as I will be expanding this line to include stock items such as Gold Star Families. Personal info can be added for a small extra charge. I expect to be able to accomodate special requests for personalized copy as needed.
Sample only. Not available yet.
We have decided to continue the Laser Cut Ornament Kit sale one more week because of the new designs.
Laser Cut Ornament Kits
Christmas 10 Pack of Laser Cut Kits Save 50%
or
Mix And Match Designs Same Low Price
Includes the new designs!
Or, Try the Pick any 5 Laser Cut Kits and save 40%
Pick 5 for $89.99
Add African Blackwood Finial Blanks for $4.00 each, any quantity.
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Time to think about what you are going to present to family and friends this Christmas Season.
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