The Little World

How to beat ’em to the bottom.

A reader of one of my other blogs writes that she is a humble person, but content. I believe she is telling the truth, and I salute her for the honesty. Many people could never bring themselves to this idea and would react badly if you mentioned the word.

Well, what about humility for the scale modeller? Is it a goal – is it a possibility? And is it a good idea? Throw away your prejudices and consider some ideas:

a. Humility is advocated by nearly every religion or social movement. Whether this is to keep the masses subservient to a ruling clique is a matter for debate, but you will have to argue that one amongst yourselves.

b. Humility can cost a great deal less in financial terms than its opposite. You need things to be a scale modeller – tools, kits, paints, etc. but if you remain amongst the humble you can do with the least expensive items….and indeed with far fewer of them.

c. Humility is not anxious about rewards that might plague others. No competition prizes needed, thanks, and no craving to be a Hall Of Fame member. No better and best, though there is a place for good in the humble heart.

d. Humble people do not need to criticise others to claw advantage. The wisest ones also do not need to criticise themselves. Humility can be a very calm port in a emotional storms.

e. Humility delights in small things – and that is just what scale models can be. It is also happy with small gains or little victories. Every stage of a model can be a rewarding while building it if you are not desperate to get to the end.

f. Humility is also resilient. Setbacks are not seen as personal affronts or cosmic disasters. Humble people make good damage-control officers. They do not give up the ship or bin the model.

g. Humility can learn from others. Seeing, reading, experimenting – they are all viewed as value-adding experiences.

So go out there and get the most horrible kit that you can find and build it to your own satisfaction. The worst you can end up with is a heap of Uriah…