I recently visited with an old friend who “turns”. Much like a potter’s wheel, standing relatively still Ann uses a wood lathe to turn the wood in her hands and generate a variety of forms.
As she described the process I could hear the meditative effect it has on her. As she forms the wood, she is formed. And, much like a gardener who gets lost in the process of planting, watering and weeding many repetitive daily tasks, no matter how small or insignificant they seem, can be a form of therapy with a healing effect on stress, trauma, illness or depression and beautifully effective for all ages and genders.
This is certainly not news to those who already turn, paint, garden, chop wood, doodle, knit or even wash dishes very slowly, but sometimes it’s helpful to be reminded that these can be curative works, not labor. Feeling a nudge in this direction? Read more about how “art” in all its wondrous variety can be a form of meditation.