Well-made Things

by Nancy Casey

When something breaks or malfunctions, it grabs our attention. When it does exactly what it is supposed to do, we are often less aware of it.

Today is a chance to sing praise for the well-made things in your life. The objects that are reliable, whose performance makes your life possible, easy or pleasant. Look around youself and draw your attention to them.

Consider the tools you use to carry out the tasks of your everyday life, at work and at play. Do you make use of any machines that are so reliable you forget they are there? Do you have certain skills which give you insight into what makes certain objects well-made?

Some objects are well-made for you, whether by accident or by design. Do you have a favorite piece of furniture, cup, or article of clothing? What features have been built-in to make it right for you?

If your gaze or touch is often drawn to a piece of art, it is well-made somehow. Ask yourself why. Music is that way, too. Can you identify any music that is well-made for your taste? What about other forms of entertainment?

A three-dimensional space can also be well-made. A living space that is organized for your convenience is well-made. The “systems” you use to organize your possessions—clothing, office supplies, recycling—can be well-made. Are there any well-made public spaces that appeal to you?

Any time or any place that you can notice that somebody’s effort has contributed to making life a little better, there is something well-made involved. Look around for some of those well-made things and describe one or more of them today.

There’s no requirement that the world be perfect. There are plenty of not-so-well-made things all around us, and we get by. The well-made things are kind of special. Applaud them today!

Leave room for a title at the top of the page before you start writing, but don’t actually decide on your title until after you have filled up the page and looked over your work.

Illustrate your work, too, if you like. In general, when people look back on their pages later, they like the ones with a little illustration on them the best. Even if the drawings seemed goofy or inept at the time.

When you are completely satisfied with your page, put your initials or signature on it, along with the date.

Here is an example of what someone could write.

You can share your work by posting it as a comment below. You can type it in, or take a photo of it and upload the image.

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Nancy Casey has lived in Latah County for many years. You can find more of her work here. It’s not possible to have an in-person Write-For-You class at the Recovery Center at this time, but if you are interested in writing coaching, contact Nancy or the Latah Recovery Center.