“Wherever it is that you want to see the face of God, there you will see it”

– The Pilgrimage

Well, it’s kind of a classically ambiguous statement that the reader can make mean a plethora of different things according to their own sensibilities.

And beyond that, I don’t think it’s true essentially true.

All this said, there is some truth or encouragement to be found in this phrase.

I’m not categorically against these kinds of idioms btw. The kind that can’t stand up to SERIOUS scrutiny, because they often accomplish an overwhelming amount of good. But I have a hard time with the instances in which the intended truth is so deeply overshadowed by its subjectivity.

I may just be a fearful believer, working to hard to keep my beliefs from being put to the test, but regardless, wisdom would have us be careful to use ambiguity and context. If not careful, our “words of wisdom” actually become impotent “sins of omission” designed simply to titillate and tickle the ears.

1 Barista Boy

So, today I stepped into one of my favorite coffee shops in Seattle. Ya know those things you do everyday where you interact briefly with mere acquaintances across a counter at the grocery store or on the bus with the driver. I try extra hard to be authentic and speak something “true” about life, or draw something true about them out of their day. “HOW ARE YOU?” “Ah, I’m alright.”… That’s about all one gets sometimes. Barista boy happened to be chatty about his life today though.

Not sure where it comes from or if it’s even true, but they say it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert at something. Barista boy had recently worked his 10,000th hour as a coffee man. It kinda blew my mind actually—the trend in the coffee biz is dominated by the amateur barista working to make part-time money while in school. We kick and crawl and scratch our way towards being a college graduate. Then do the same towards getting a first job that’s satisfying. Bonus! The job actually is in our field of study. Work. Work. Rest. Work some more.

The striking thing to me about barista boy’s milestone was his lack of intention to become an expert. Shit happens, right? Wether we want it to or not. Hey, what a sweet, comforting thought, that if one perseveres, and nominally tries to do something well, improvement, growth and total domination will come to pass. Maybe we won’t become the global top-dog—boo, no celebrity status?—but we can kick ass none-the-less, serve our community and find overwhelming joy.

2 Rule of Domination

Think of all the things humans could be considered an “expert” at according to this rule.

I’ve breathed a lot in my life. I think I’m an expert. Perhaps if I were to add up all the milliseconds I’ve blinked, maybe I’m an expert blinker. Or an expert winker? (Actually, did the math—I’m only halfway there. 17,000 blinks-a-day x 365 days x 30 years = 186,150,00 blinks-to-date / 36,000 blinks-per-hour  = 5,171 hours-of-blinking.)

Consider something I’m not good at, reading. It’s frustrating. I sit around feeling lame cause I don’t read a lot and it’s draining to read as much as I should, when really I just need to read more, ’cause low and behold, over time, I’ll become an awesome reader—an expert. Not just someone who can read fast or have a larger vocabulary. But someone who enjoys it more, comprehends it more fully and ultimately impacts peoples lives more positively… all because I’ve took the time to practice.

How many people do we all know who like the idea of being a musician, but simply aren’t cause they’re crappy RIGHT NOW?

If we’re honest, a huge part of higher education, is an excuse to spend more time and energy (and money) on our passions than we’d ever be able to otherwise as a newbie. How else could I have spent 8 hours (or more) a day farting around with graphic design before I had even a semblance of budding skill.

3 JUST DO!

Yo’! Start chipping away at your next 10,000 hours. Such a large number can seem daunting—scary at times—as the weight of responsibility creeps into the I-have-a(nother)-real-skill-now equation. But take comfort instead, as we begrudgingly heed the wisdom of Nike when they command us to “JUST DO IT.”

No special program or secret formula. We don’t have to invest beaucoup bucks. All that fancy mumbo jumbo on TV is a bunch of smoke and mirrors. Heck, hit up the garage sales. Find a $30 guitar and start playing 9 hours a week and in 10 years you’ll be halfway to being an expert guitarist. And really, even halfway as a guitarist will put you into the top 5 percentile globally. You will dominate!