Mastery. Part of flourishing, according to the positive psychology field. (PERMA for Positive Emotions, Engagement, Positive Relationships, Meaning, and Achievement or mastery)
I love the fact that there is a worldwide competition for the trades. Austria’s gold medalists this year won for flower arranging, tile laying, and work with concrete. The silver medal for painting (e.g., doors) went to a young Austrian woman.
Why am I drawn to writing about this every year? Because I think athletes get too big a share of the glory. Being uniquely good at flower arranging – or building with concrete – is also a wonderful thing and needs to be celebrated more. (I love the Scripps National Spelling Bee, too, for providing celebration of another non-athletic achievement, not to mention often offering an alternative route to a better life for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.)
Additionally, I love seeing young people getting satisfaction out of working with their hands. I may teach at a university (and love academic work myself), but I think far too many students are pushed into it for the prestige. I feel we would all be better off if everyone were encouraged to find what they’re really interested in and were then supported in achieving mastery of it.
Anyway, congratulations to all the competitors at the WorldSkills competition! As the mother of one them said, “In our eyes, they have all already won. To make it to the world championships is such an unbelievable success.”
ecbinvienna 