I’ve never carved anything out of wood, but have watched someone doing it. It requires concentration and absolute presence.
My uncle is a decorated Vietnam War veteran. He sent me a package with a hand-written note containing this hand-carved peace symbol. He kept it for over 40 years, but decided to send it to me after he saw my business logo.
It was done by a fellow soldier, during one of their tours in Vietnam.
Who knows what the young man thought, as he carved it over several weeks. Home? Wanting to be away from the chaos and trauma of war? Or perhaps an expression of hope?
Even in the chaos of war, he was able to carve small moments of Now, into peace.
It’s best to stop wondering what the young carver was thinking and appreciate the fact that he was fully-present.
I imagine his hands in movement, revealing the beauty of Now, from a piece of discarded wood.
How are you carving your moments of Now, from the mass of time we have?
