an open mind

Years ago, my sister Sue came home from school thinking that she had been insulted by her teacher, who said that "she has an open mind." And Sue thought that was just another way of saying "in one ear and out the other." But an "open mind", one willing to explore without preconception is the foundation of human advancement. Last night in my thoughts I was reminded of Walter Russell,  The Man Who Tapped the Secrets of the Universe. He was considered a "polymath" or one who excelled in a number of distinct areas. He explored the periodic table, and physics, while he was also an artist, an equestrian and founded his own university, having influence on a wide range of American intellectuals and scientists as well as those interested in the Occult. Walter Russell explained his own wide ranging contributions as being a matter of applying his mind while it was fresh. He shifted frequently between his various activities keeping fresh enthusiasm for each.

You don't really need to be a Ph.D to understand the wisdom of his approach. These days, some would regard Walter Russell as a joke since some of the studies at his university delved into love, sex and reincarnation. Most universities would prefer to keep the studies of the first two less formal and ignore the last completely. However, an open mind and the willingness to keep it continually refreshed by grazing a broad pasture is a philosophy that will carry anyone a good ways, and each of us in time will either be forgotten or make some small difference in the larger scheme of things.

Today, I will be finishing some small cabinets, installing hinges and glass and planning my next projects, while also maintaining an open mind as I too, contemplate the universe.

In the photo at left, you can see the nearly completed cherry display cabinet with lighter wood interior. The glass will be installed tomorrow. I have also been oiling more cabinets which you can see below: