relationship revelation

Forging new relationships is difficult, both with people and with clay.  And in fact, there are so many similarities between our relationships with people and clay.  In both cases we open ourselves up- mind, body, and soul to learn, experience, and grow with someone or with the clay that is our medium.  We have expectations in both-- that if we share, if we take time to interact, if we invest in ourselves- we will get something in return.  Whether that is a conversation, a moment of shared joy, or a great pot- we expect that our time and effort will be rewarded. 

The forming of a great pot- is like the forming of a relationship.  A pot takes time, nurturing, patience, and some loving care.  So does a relationship.  Perhaps it is true what they say (whoever ‘they’ are)-- you get out of it what you put into it.  The more your hands interact with the clay, the more they experiment, and discover- the more joy you receive.  But on the other hand, time not spent in the studio, time not opening yourself up with a person you care about- will result in frustration, aggravation, and ultimately heart break. 

But sometimes, no matter what you do; no matter how much time you spend, no matter how much you put your heart on the line- sometimes that clay is not going to center.  You can push and pull all you want and that lump of clay just isn’t going to do what you want.  And no matter how much we give of ourselves, sometimes the other person doesn’t give you what you need in return.  In the studio, we can scrape that piece of clay off the bat and put it in the recycle bin and start anew.  But while it might be a little harder to ‘scrape’ that person off your heart and into the recycle bin- it can be and should be done if you are investing too much for too little.  Everything can start anew.  It might be difficult to start a new pot, a new shape, a new glaze.  It might be difficult to let go and start a new friendship, a new relationship.  It is a risk- a risk worth taking in the end.