change your things
there are objects in your life. sometimes they give friction. sometimes your small voice speaks up. you know what they need. so change them. rip off the bandaid of sanctity which a product brings home from the factory and change it! it now becomes exactly yours. the only way that anything becomes ours. via its changes when it meets us. mostly these are small changes. sometimes these actions are improvements, sometimes they are repairs, sometimes they are just decorations. sometimes you just write your phone number on the bottom of your boot.
when a product is developed it is made generically, the broader its appeal the higher the earning potential. and probably you fall into that swath of audience. but only you can make the product for just you. nobody else can.
and then live with them. and let them continue to change.
owning a bicycle is a prime example. ride your bike. get annoyed with some things. change them. have a dream in your head about handlebars. change them. wish you sat a little more upright. change your stem. foot slips off your pedals. change your pedals. keep getting flats with your tires. change them. tired of wearing a bag. add a basket. paint isn't your favorite color. sand it off.
if we listen closely to the small voice that lives inside us it will explain what matters and how the world should be. and it will only matter to us. you can spin these thoughts out of your head to your friend but they will usually not understand. they will not understand why your pedals should be green instead of black. frankly, its garish. but. if they are good friends they will support you. and dig out their ugly lime green pedals from their closet. and you'll hug them and cry a little bit.
and so our things become more a reflection of ourselves. only you will see the flower you drew on the bottom of your french press. but its not for anyone else. its only for you to see after you put it on the drying rack. and smile.
idk if you can tell from my writing but spring broke here in nyc and everything is good in the world again. xx