Prompt: Write about what you hope your work gives to others.
All right, the prompt for today, June 28, 2026, is: Write about what you hope your work gives to others.
A while back, when I was making random YouTube videos, I decided to try making sourdough bread. It didn’t really work, but I filmed the process anyway. It was just something I was doing in the evenings during the school year.
One of my students ended up finding those videos. He told me they inspired him to start making sourdough himself. I hadn’t really thought much of it at the time, and I haven’t tried making sourdough again since. But it was interesting to realize that something I made encouraged someone else to try creating something of their own.
When I started SANA Stationery & Gifts, it really began because I discovered pen turning. I became fascinated with the lathe, the pen kits, and the process of making pens. I don’t know that I started with any hope beyond people simply enjoying the pens I made. At first, I was mostly giving them away, and that was nice. People enjoyed them, and that felt rewarding.
As I got more into woodworking, though, I think I lost sight—or maybe I never really had a clear vision—of what I wanted other people to gain from my work. I was hoping they would like what I made, but for me it was mostly about enjoying the making itself.
What I’m trying to come around to now is understanding what I actually want to offer through this work, through this craft, through the process of making. That’s been difficult because I didn’t start from that position.
Outside of people simply enjoying what I make, I don’t know that I have an answer yet.
And that’s an interesting realization, because it’s something I have to wrestle with.
Right now, I think I just want people to like what I make.
But I’m not satisfied with that answer.
I want more from it. I want people to get more out of my work. I just don’t know what that is yet.
Right on.
You can find this prompt and many more at Letters Lounge. Of course, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this prompt—or any of the others—so please leave a comment or share a link to your own blog or audio journal, and I’ll be sure to check it out.
All right, folks. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
This transcript was lightly cleaned up with the help of AI to improve readability while preserving the original voice and intent of the recording.
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