Life Lessons I Learned From My Cuckoo Clock

The other day I was sitting in my kitchen having a cup of coffee when my cuckoo clock announced the top of the hour. It got me thinking about a few things -- namely, things I felt I had learned over the years from my cuckoo clock. Here they are:

Better Late Than Never

The cuckoo isn't my most accurate timepiece. In fact, it's not very accurate at all. I have to make adjustments to it every day by pushing the minute hand ahead a few minutes. It always runs slow. But, my cuckoo clock is also an antique. It's outlasted many modern clocks I own. Why? Did they stop working? No, they still worked fine. They just lacked style and character. Those things often win out over pure function. I'll take my "better late than never" cuckoo clock over my modern precision quartz clocks any day. My cuckoo is what could be referred to as "fashionably late." It arrives each hour a minute or two late, perhaps, but always in style. Point yourself in the direction of the finish line -- even if you do end up being a bit later than expected.

Quality Does Matter

I was looking at some kitchen clocks the other day at Target. They were modern clocks that were somewhat plain. They weren't put together well and there was glue oozing out from some of the joints. From a distance they looked kind of cool, but when you got up close you could see the shoddy workmanship. I love my cuckoo clock because I can stand right in front of it. The craftsmanship is superb. Each hand carved part was painstakingly created to complement the others. The deer and the leaves bearing the quality of true art. Yes, quality does matter. Let your quality shine. Take care to be a person of quality. Let people stand close to you so they can admire it.

Have a Pleasant Voice

We've all heard those voices that set your teeth on edge. They are men's voices that are terse and short with their wives, children, or employees. They are women's voices that are shrill and nagging toward their husbands or children. No one wants to hear a voice like that. My cuckoo clock has a wonderful voice that greets each new hour with enthusiasm and hope. Have that kind of voice. If you do, people won't mind if you stay around a while. My cuckoo clock is an antique -- it's been welcome in people's homes for many, many years.

Maintain the Little Things, So You Can Avoid the Big Things

It's a simple principle, but every day I have to pull the pinecone weights up on my cuckoo clock. These weights keep the clock's mechanical movement functioning. If I forget to pull the weights, the clock stops working. Life is kind of like that too. If you stop pulling your weight, your life will stop working too. Also, my cuckoo clock needs to be dusted weekly. If I don't dust it, the dirt will mix with the lubrication oil and clog up the works. Keep your life dusted. Deal with the little things so they don't turn into big things.

Don't be Afraid to be Different

Sometimes when people visit my home for the first time they are taken aback by my cuckoo clock. They kind of laugh and think it's cute. It's very whimsical and different from modern kitchen clocks. But, usually after we've been friends for a while, they look forward to coming to my house and hearing the familiar sound of the cuckoo clock. Don't be afraid to be different. Most modern clocks will end up in the trash or at Goodwill within a few years. But, my cuckoo clock will still be ticking away -- treasured in my heart because it's different and unique.

About the Author

Tracey Amino is the owner of Cuckoos 4 U – specializing in antique, vintage and modern cuckoo clocks. For the best resources visit her online at http://www.cuckoos4u.com or read her "Cuckoo For Cuckoos" blog at http://www.cuckoos4u.blogspot.com