Skill, art, victory, and loss

 And so, skill is often mentioned in Buddhist literature, and a key element in

art.  Of course, some folks are more skillful than others.  Sometimes

you can recognize a skillful person , 'cause they have skill saws, and

of course, many of those are carpenters.  But a little reflection indicates

very little skill is achieved without practice, and a lot of practice includes

set backs, errors and mistakes.

One element of art, includes this notion of triumph, because what we often

recognize as art is some skills were practiced and excelled and so the 

result is some significant achievement.  

These days, it may seem, we are experiencing a good deal of loss.  This might

suggest that what we are practicing needs some improvements or even

some types of refinement and even re-thinking.  It has been said before,

that often the best way forward is to go around the wall, rather than

trying to go through it.  

Is this a collective or an individual issue?  Sometimes, maybe both.

But certainly, we continue to experience both victory and loss

collectively and individually.  None of this is easy.  Sometimes

it can be very, very difficult.

Finally, I think, we all should feel some assurance that 

this process continues.