No one ever told me no....

This weekend I built a chair. As in I bought the wood, came up with a design, got some fabric, and voila I have a chair.



I made it for my new office. I wanted something cute for that side of my desk but didn't want to spend the $150 price tag that is usually attached to it. Therefore I decided that I would build it myself for about $50.

Now I've never made a chair. The only furniture I've made has to do with cabinets, shelving, and tables. Nothing that really has to withstand weight or involve fabric and cushion. But as of this weekend, I have built a chair. (and it's so darn cute too!)

It's funny to see the reactions of those around me. Most are rather impressed or seem to be in awe that I made my own chair. Whereas I see that I would like it to be a bit wider and shorter. I think the space between the seat and the back is too much. I think I'd like a darker stain on the wood. I mean don't get me wrong it's great and I kind of impressed myself, but I also see how I could make it better. I'm not as impressive to myself as I am to others. And I don't mean that in a negative way.

See I think others are impressed because they've never tried to make a chair. They see something and don't know how to do it and therefore assume they can't. I on the other hand was raised never being told I couldn't do something. I was raised by parents whose only stipulation on what I do with my life was "do whatever you want to do, just be the best you can be at." They never told me no. They always told me I can!!

I built a chair this weekend because my parents always believed in me and instilled character in me that makes me believe I can do anything. They never said you don't know how to do that. They just taught me how to figure out the things I don't know. Too often people accept not knowing how to do something as lacking the ability to do it. There's a big difference. Just because you don't know how doesn't mean you can't. All it means is that it may take you longer than someone who does know because first you have to spend time figuring it out. I spent a day or two thinking about the chair process and form and looking up a few different ways. Then I took all those ideas and forms and made my own chair.

I'm grateful that my parents never told me no. Growing up I was involved in cheerleading, soccer, baseball, softball, swim team, basketball, karate, ballet, tap, jazz, crafts, and so much more. When I was in 2nd or 3rd grade my family spent a summer building and in-ground swimming pool. When I was in elementary school my mom went back to college and drove a school bus. When my first car (a convertible) needed a new top, I watched my dad and his friend install a new one. Growing up, for years, my parents successfully hosted a regional arts and craft festival because my grandfather loved that type of thing. I rarely heard no. I always heard yes, let's figure it out.

And so this weekend, I built a chair because no one ever told me no.

Until then......