The Silversmith’s Eye
When did you last look at something worn out, dented, or tangled at the bottom of a drawer and think, "Actually, this has potential"?
Recently, I attended a workshop with Barbara Ehlers * to make my own piece of jewellery. During that day, I learnt a surprising amount about silver and a little about life, too.
Beforehand, I did a quick check of what I had at home: a broken chain, a ring too small, an earring flying solo, some tiny hooks from jewellery not worn. A silversmith looks at those mismatched bits and bobs and sees something else.
Silver can be melted down, shaped, hammered and polished. It can be buried, tarnished, melted again and remade. Over and over, the old form disappears, but it never stops being silver. Although it is malleable, transforming silver is not a particularly gentle process. It takes heat, pressure and patience, along with a willingness to try again, change direction and adapt. The result can be understated, unique and unexpected.
Interestingly, scrap silver can be easier to work with than silver that has never been melted down before. It has already been transformed, and perhaps there is a lesson in that.
Life leaves us with pieces that no longer quite fit: old habits, assumptions, familiar roles, plans that have changed, unfinished projects, and versions of ourselves we've likely outgrown. We don't necessarily need to throw everything away or start from scratch. Most times we can take what we have learnt, something that doesn’t fit as well, an experience a little worn around the edges and give it a different shape, a new spin.
Change doesn’t need to be grand; it can be small, playful and full of curiosity.
I like calling this the Silversmith's Eye: the ability to see something that seems finished, outdated, or past its best. Whether it is a forgotten piece of silver, an old habit or a way of doing things that no longer fits, there may be more potential there than we realise.
This Month, Try on the Silversmith’s Eye
1. Rework something. Find one thing you own that you no longer use and see if you can repair it, repurpose it or give it a new lease of life.
2. Change one small thing. Choose a routine, habit or way of doing something that feels a little stale. Experiment with a different approach and see what happens.
Sometimes all it takes is a fresh perspective, a little patience and the courage to try something different.
Look again. Rework what you can. Stay open to what might emerge. And dare to be the change you want to see in your organisation, your family, your community and your life.
*Check out Barbara’s beautiful work: www.barbaraehlers.co.uk
Written by Mathilde Barbier from www.daretobethechange.today
Helping women better manage energy, emotions & tech to navigate peri/menopause changes smoothly. Also holding women's circles, workshops, and 1-1 sessions. 🇬🇧 🇫🇷
Get in touch: mathilde [@] daretobethechange.today
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