"Life is a series of chisels, each event shaping us into who we are meant to be."
- Unknown
Dear Michelle,
I chose the word Xylography for today’s letter. It’s not a word you hear often (or ever), but it carries a meaningful lesson. Xylography is the art of engraving on wood. Each mark, is made with intention. And just as a piece of wood reveals its natural beauty through its grain and grooves, so does your life, shaped by each moment, every joy, and every challenge.
Life has a way of engraving itself into us. Some of those marks feel like mistakes or painful experiences that leave us wondering why. But this is when you can shift the question. Instead of asking, “Why did this happen to me?”, ask “What can I learn from this?” That change in perspective holds a lot of power. It turns pain into purpose.
Other marks come from joy. The intentional, beautiful experiences add light and love to your story. The joyful days, the heartbreaks, the regrets, and the little victories all leave their mark. And every mark, even the hardest ones, contributes to the masterpiece you're becoming.
One of my favorite scriptures echoes this truth. Read Romans 5:3–4:
"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope."
This passage reminds us that even suffering can produce something sacred: endurance, character, and hope.
Ask yourself:
Which painful experiences eventually led to something good, even if you didn’t see it at the time? What have they taught you about yourself or about others?
The thing about xylography is that it takes time. So does becoming who you’re meant to be. Michelle, you are an artist, and you know from your own art that rushing the process never leads to your best work. Life’s the same way. Becoming YOU is a lifelong process.
You are the artist of your story. You hold the tools. And you are also the wood... resilient, strong, full of potential and beauty. The grain that runs through you, your faith, compassion, and grit is already there. Let life shape you on your terms. Let your experiences add depth and character, not damage.
When we turn our wounds into wisdom, we don’t just survive hardship, we help others learn and/or heal. Our scars become maps of where we’ve been and guides for those who walk beside us and behind us.
So remember to ask:
“What can I learn from this?”
“How can I use what I’ve lived through to help someone else, or help myself grow stronger?”
Michelle, I am watching as the masterpiece of your life takes shape. Stroke by stroke, moment by moment, you're becoming something truly extraordinary.
With love,
Grandma Carol
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