Bruce Lee advises us to be like a cork in the water. This allows one to be aware of the inevitable ups and downs of life while keeping them in proper perspective. As I observed Team Awesome in action this weekend, I couldn't help but admire the perspective they are bringing to this task. As Team Awesome finds door hinges torn completely out of the surrounding steel, re-sands doors already primed, braves potential rainstorms, and watches as each mechanical device (designed to be timesaving) folds like a cheap card table, they are unyielding in their resolve, and taking things in stride. As with most things in life, what this project appears to be about is not really what it will be about in the end. As Robert Pirsig states in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance:
"The study of the art of motorcycle maintenance is really a miniature study of the art of rationality itself. Working on a motorcycle, working well, caring, is to become part of the process, to achieve and inner piece of mind. The motorcycle is primarily a mental phenomenon."
When Zoe walked out onto the driveway, she asked what the boys were doing. I tried to explain, then handed her the sanding block and pointed her to the rear panel of the car. She watched the boys intently, then proceeded to sand away with great focus. She would pause, look over at them, then get back to it.
To work well, to care, to become part of the process, to achieve an inner peace of mind. Is this not what we are aspiring to do as students, parents, teachers, and musicians?
