Erwin McManus in his wonderful book the artisan soul, says. “A life well lived is the sum total of a vast number of moments lived well”
As a young man I was convinced that there were great things that had to be done, that life was to be lived and experienced only to arrive in my 50’s to see so many moments that had not been lived well.
Selfishness,
Arrogance,
Pride,
Foolishness,
all these things hold me back from truly living a life well lived. Of experiencing and living out those vast number of moments that could have been , but never were. These are the regrets many of us experience as we enter the second act of life.
What I see, especially in my own life, was the lack of mentoring by wise and experienced pilgrims who had fought many a battle and lived many a moment with grace and fury. If only , I think at times, someone had walked alongside, pointing the way that leads to life, to a life well lived. It was not until my mid 40’s that I had one of my first mentors.
His name is J. Albert Hudson, lovingly called Al by his friends and colleagues. in 2007 I met the then youthful 88 year old Al after I had given a talk on finishing at the local Woodworkers Guild. He introduced himself and mentioned a project he was working on , a small desk project (see picture below for the “small desk project”) . Little did I know that that fateful day in 2007 would become one of the greatest days of my life and has provided me with a mentor who has shown me excellence in craft (Al is a master woodworker), the power of integrity, a stalwart faith and a passion for people.
We have spent many an hour together over his workbench as he has taught me such skills as dovetails, veneer inlay, and carving a Cabriole leg as well as the occasional lunch at a local restaraunt. All the while teaching me deeper things about life, craft and faith.
As I watch my friend and mentor age, and slow down, I am encouraged to see that he still has that twinkle in his eye and his enjoyment of the simple things of life remain. At 96 Al is a friend, a mentor and wise elder who has spent the last decades of his life teaching and encouraging younger generations of men and women to excell at life and craft and of grabbing those life moments and living them well.
I am a better man because of that wise old former marine, named Al Hudson. Thanks Al for helping me see that life is “the sum total of a vast number of moments lived well”.
As we we enter our second Act of life, we need to ask, who in this younger generation, can we walk alongside and encourage them to live life well? We have only one life, what will you do with your Second Act?
