personal

Anonymity

We don't feel the need to know who actually made our latte, who picked the coffee bean or milked the cow. Even a beautiful painting can stand on its own. But, once we connect the thing or the act to a person, it has more meaning...it becomes personal. The downside of personal is there's nowhere to hide. Our craftsmanship is now on the line. So is our point of view, and whether we care enough about what we're doing, and how it affects those around us. We might be seen in a light we hadn't intended. We might actually be seen. This changes our posture because we become responsible. And personal responsibility makes us better because, thankfully, most of care how we're seen.

Working behind a mask seems safer. But, it almost certainly guarantees we're not getting the best work. What a shame.

I Made This

...for you.

In the season of giving, it's a good reminder to reflect on what the gift is for...to show gratitude with a personal marker, something which will serve as a reminder of the meaning and purpose of our relationship.

There was a time when almost everything was personally made. Desire, effort and skill manifested itself into something useful for another. Mostly driven by economics, the things we needed, like shoes, tools and bicycles, became the products of factories and machines. This was quite useful, serving the demands of a growing and more prosperous population. Now, we can make more things quickly than ever before. And often we can make them better in terms of quality and lifespan. But, not counting engraving, we hardly ever make them more personal.

A growing opportunity exists then, especially in gift giving, to fulfill the purpose of personal connection and meaning with something crafted...something slightly askew, something flawed, something which can't be easily replicated...something from me to you.

It's unlikely there's a better chance to show someone how much you care...here, I made this.