I enjoy giving visitors a tour of the woodshop. It is a treat for me. If individual body language tells the truth, it does not always seems to be fun for those listening to my banter. For most, the equipment is recognizable. A drill press has an obvious use. The table saw and miter saws have blades, so assumptions are made as to the purpose. The less obvious tools, planer and joiner come to mind, are casually accepted. The turning point always comes when we get to the VB36.
For many, and I am one, a VB36 represents the ultimate in bowl/hallow sphere wood turning machines. The capabilities are amazing. The first one, the ability to handle a 500-pound of unbalanced wood up to 48 inches in diameter without straining itself, is beyond my ability to comprehend. In my banter, the details that normally follow are ones that only a believer, or a mechanical engineer, enjoys.
I have been on both sides, trying to grasp something new. I still do not grasp large portions of my conversations about cycling. I know how to ride without falling. Yet, I also know that I do not know how to ride like those serious about riding.
My limits do not end with cycling. When I hear how on hearing “the phrase ‘raising him from the dead,’ the listeners split: Some laughed at him and walked off making jokes; others said, ‘Let’s do this again. We want to hear more.’ But that was it for the day, and Paul left.” (Acts 17.32, 33) I thought I was a character in this story only to realize that it was before my time.
As new friends plan on visiting, I wonder if I can make it easier. I still do not have all the answers but this much I do know.
Telling someone about something that is important to me does not automatically mean that it is interesting to anyone else.
Explaining with more details often tells someone less than the initial introduction.
Listening is the best way to improve the experience.
