Austin Seaver's Key Ideas from Chop Wood Carry Water
by Joshua Medcalf

There once was an old architect who was known around the world for his skills at making high quality homes. At his retirement he was asked to build one last home. Frustration, disappointment and other negative emotions tainted his craft and the final house was built of low quality materials and a shaky foundation. The old architect is then gifted the house he built as a retirement gift. No matter what you are doing you are building your character, so pay attention to what you are building.

An old witch, nearing her retirement, is selling all of her tools. By the end of the day most of her tools are gone and the last shopper attempts to phurchase an old withered tool that everyone else overlooked. The witch informs the shopper that this tool was meant to be the only tool passed to her successor. The witch later reveals the tool is that of Discouragement. The witch teaches her successor that all people will become weak and easy to manipulate when robbed of their courage. No matter how painful the mistake do not allow yourself to become discouraged, or your dream will die.

How long do you have to water Bamboo before it sprouts?

A week? No.

A month? No.

A year? No.

5 years? Maybe.

But once it does sprout it can grow up to 10 feet in several days. Often growth happens beneath the surface and change isn't visable despite all the nurture being provided. Patience is key.

At the monastery the young man must chop wood to burn for warmth, and carry water to drink. Displeased by the time the meaningless tasks take, he overfills his buckets and rushes to complete his chores. Fatigue and an absent mind lead to the young man dropping all of his water near his mentor. The young man then complains that he would be a master archer if he didn't have to chop wood, carry water. The mentor reminds the young man that he doesn't have to do anything. He gets to. The more we see a task as an obligation the greater a burden it becomes in our life.