Preview: Slowing Down, The Schmee of a Successful Man

54 Responses So Far to “Slowing Down, The Schmee of a Successful Man”

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  Brent Williams says:

  Thank you for another great video and the reminder of what’s important in life.

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  Julian Kuffler says:

  Thanks,
  The video is as good as it was 7 years ago. The advice is beginning to become timeless…
  Julian

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  Gary Underwood says:

  Lovely. When I grow up……………..

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  John Allen says:

  A few years ago, I was lucky enough to be the high bidder when a Fiddlehead solo canoe that Harry had built for a customer was donated to a benefit auction in Maine. That little boat has been an endless source of joy to me and my 10-year-old grandson and to anyone else who paddles it. I had met Harry at the Mystic Wooden Boat Show a few years earlier and immediately admired his work as well as his views on almost everything, never guessing I would be lucky enough to one day own a boat produced by his hands.

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  Gerard Emery says:

  Thank you for sharing your life with us its inspirational and reassuring to so many of us. Harry I love your comments about your wife and how she had given you the confidence and support to figure your paths in life. She sounds amazing hope she can make an appearance some days

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  Ben Vette says:

  Thank you Harry and OCH for showing this video.

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  Cap'n Rick Urban says:

  At 72, last year I sold a lot of my boat building equipment at our annual yard sale, the Latino contractors got a bargain except for the radial arm saw which they could not transport to their job sites. I donated it to the Habitat people who appreciated it. But now a year later I miss my band saw, my router table with 58 different heads . My advice is keep them until they turn you into ashes, Your Legacy will be that you built boats until you could not. When you stop building you are done. Cap’n Rick 19 Boats Later, Port of Lewes, Delaware

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  Terry Billard says:

  I love watching videos with Harry some day I love to meet the man in person. it’s on my bucket list.

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  Ralph Wernett says:

  just love it…..

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  greg mclaughlin says:

  Loved it.Sent it to my daughter with notation “I guess most of us wait to long”
  I’m 79 and know it to be true.

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  John Simlett says:

  Not sure there’s much future in slowing down. At 60 I had a heart attack and was told to ‘slow down’. Since then I’ve taken a Science degree and an Arts degree, taught myself to paint portraits – now professionally Had poetry and short stories published. I now have gone back to where I started, and resumed being a shipwright. At 80 I’m halfway through builder a Maine lobster Boat, using mostly hand tools, and plan something traditional around the twenty-feet length in 2019.
  It only becomes work when it stops being play, and I play a seven day week … without a cellphone too :)

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    Clifford Wilson says:

    Im only 52, but that is the life I aim to create, no tech just learning new things and building boats. Thank you for sharing, it adds gravity to my dream.

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  Steven Wallace says:

  Love this video.

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  Rod McLaren says:

  Serendipity is such a wonderful blessing and coming across this short video is one such occasion. Harry’s approach to life resonates on many levels for me. In a few months I will turn 70 with plans of launching the sailboat I am building in time for the occasion. These past months in the shop, working on this boat project, have been some of the most peaceful and self-satisfying that I can remember in my life. Thank you for sharing, OCH

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  Robert Walker says:

  Many thanks Harry , really enjoyed your video , thanks for sharing

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  Scott Green says:

  The depths to which I can so relate to this man are unfathomable. Different yet the same. Except for two things: I am nowhere even close to as brilliant (mechanically and philosophically); and nowhere even close to as elegant and eloquent. Harry, you rock!

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  Tim Leary says:

  What a lovely video of a guy who has found peace in the whirlwind world.
  Well done Harry!
  Currently re-evaluating my priorities, and this has helped!

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  Joshua Samos says:

  I would like to know more about the hand-powered tools he uses/makes/that are seen in this video. I’m definitely a power tool lover, but this past year I discovered hand-planes and it’s my favorite tool now.

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  Steve Branam says:

  When I grow up, I want to be Harry Bryan: http://www.closegrain.com/2017/01/when-i-grow-up.html

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    Norman NOLAN says:

    Steve and the gang,
    Don’t know how you find guys like Harry, but their stories bring a tear to my eye every time. It’s truly heart-warming to come across people who have their stuff together like this. Harry is five years younger than me but is inspirational. Whatever it is you’re doing, please keep doing it!

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  Benjamin Doerr says:

  Just love this so much. The pace and wisdom of this man. I loved the piece on Katie, but this got deeper into his philosophy and I just love it. You guys are capturing the stuff that matters here!

  -Ben, Sail Bainbridge

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  Mike O'Brien says:

  What a remarkable man! Thanks for sharing! Please, more videos with Harry Bryan!

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  Ned Truartha says:

  Thank you once again, A fine chat with a fine man..
  Cheers to you all at OCH

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  Rob Dutton says:

  Over the years I’ve come to believe that Harry Bryan is one of the most fascinating people you could want to meet. Now I have to add that he also appears to be one of the most contented and satisfied. Hat’s off to you Harry!

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  Livio Muench says:

  That you for sharing wisdom and love. My the new year cary with it many blessings.

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  Chris Robbins says:

  Wonderful video. I can relate on so many levels. My father is a dentist. I built boats for 15 years and now own a high end architectural woodworking company. My father is 85 and still sails with me. I don’t think there is anything that a son wants more than the approval of his father. I helped dad with a business deal the other day. He is a type A+ personality and still quite sharp. At the end of the deal he told me he told me I was good at what I do. He reviewed the last 30 years of my life and said he was proud of what I’ve done. His approval gives me a lot of peace. Harry, I’m quite sure you would have the same satisfaction from your father.

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  Gustavo Krause says:

  Always thanks, this is the best website ever! Those videos change us!

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  William Clague says:

  Harry said it all. Nothing that I can say would enhance or compare to his beautiful philosophy. Happy New Year from New Zealand,

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  Gary Ma says:

  I don’t know anyone, myself included, who couldn’t improve their well being by slowing down.

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  Mason Dyer says:

  What a great man, with excellent wisdom. He said it best when he stated his wife gave him the okay to do what he love doing. It takes a great woman to understand a man passion

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  Paul Atkins says:

  Lovely stuff! Thank you.

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  Roger Johnson says:

  Thanks from another son who has a different definition of success than his father!

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  Eigil Rothe says:

  I love the comments. Every thought I have is expressed in them. My grandparents were the only people in my life who shared a similar philosophy. My father was similar to Harry’s father in the way he defined success. It has taken me 64 years to understand he did the best he could but that his set of values do not work for me. I’ll take it from here and I’m at peace. Attitude of gratitude.
  Thank you OCH

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  M. Hans Liebert says:

  Wonderful! Happy Holidays, all!

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  Pete Bergstrom says:

  Merry Christmas to Harry and his entire family. and thanks to all at OCH for the inspiration and thought provoking videos and articles you provide. A real service to the world!

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  David Pierce says:

  Wonderful

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  James Okelly says:

  Harry Bryan is an amazing craftsman and engineer. I love seeing the things he has built in his shop. Merry Christmas to all my sailor and builder friends out there.

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  Mark Ritter says:

  Harry is an inspiration. I hope to be as active as he is when I’m a septuagenarian.
  Tell him thank you, and that another Rambler 23 is making good progress.

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  Tom Roderick says:

  I just watched this video three times enjoying the peaceful confidence of Harry Bryan and with each viewing learning just a little bit more about how to live a good and satisfying life.

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  chip puhl says:

  Thanks OCH crew for delivering the perfect Christmas video card. Im going to include this story along with my favorite Henry David Thoreau essays on ‘simplicity’ and refresh my batteries whenever necessary.
  And Harry, Your father knows how well you’re doing because as the story goes, ”Every time someone talks of Harry Bryan another Angel earns its wings.”

  Merry Christmas everyone !

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  William Mangum says:

  Fine work! I, too enjoyed seeing the self – powered tools – ratcheted ? band saw is pure genius!

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  Dave Beaman says:

  The evidence of his success is the love of tinkering he has instilled in his grandchildren. Love their concentration with hand tools.
  Merry Christmas to all!

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  David Lesser says:

  Thanks for giving us something to aspire to in the New Year.

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  Robert Craigue says:

  Outstanding philosophy! Love the self-powered wood working tools!

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  David Kent says:

  Thank you, OCH. Merry Christmas. This one ranks at the top of my favorite OCH videos.

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  Paul Cammaroto says:

  Happy Holidays to all the OCH Captains and Crew (subscribers) and Thank You Harry for your simple inspiration and insight. You touch the heart of many and in turn they apply the same touch to others. What a wonderful gift to give to our beautiful world.
  Safe Travels to all

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  terry brower says:

  Very inspiring. Just as Harry finished his last statement in this video the Sun came out from behind the dark clouds this morning. Brightening, both literally and figuratively, my day.
  Makes me wonder if philosophy is an integral part of boat building.

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  JIM REUSCHER says:

  What a wonderful piece of work!
  This is why I gave a subscription to OCH for Christmas.
  Being close to this age and at the beginning of my days of retirement, you constantly ask yourself the same questions. How to slow down. what to do, how to simplify your life, and how to pass on the vast amount of knowledge and experience that you have acquired through life.
  Thank you OCH

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  George Johnson says:

  A great and gentle man…. He’s wiser in more ways than one.
  His “schmee” is beyond comparison!
  Geo. Johnson

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  Edward Ricciardelli says:

  Happiness comes from contentment and a sense of self and an ability to live in the moment. Surely he has that but I have known very busy people in high-stress jobs who love their work, feel comfortable in their shoes and don’t wish for something else and they are content also. It comes from within, not from others.

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  Frank Crumbaugh says:

  Indeed, ’tis himself…clear, humble, brilliantly gifted…his quiet calm makes Harry a great teacher, and a man worth emulating not only for what he knows but also for who he is. I am so grateful to have studied with him at WoodenBoat, and I am grateful to OCH for seeing the value in making videos featuring Harry Bryan- what a blessing.

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  Ken Weinstein says:

  A good reminder for all of us during this season of family to do what’s important. Be well and thank you for OCH.

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  Richard Maldonado says:

  If one is familiar with the writer Wendall Berry, and the way he writes, farms and lives in the land, one might see a parallel in Harry Bryan’s boat building, and the way he lives upon the land, and water. Mr. Berry’s work has long inspired me, and many others, and has been highly recognized, with well deserved awards and credentials. It would seem that Mr. Bryan deserves no less. It would certainly make his father proud to know the inspiration his son has given to other men, as well as the fine craft he has developed. These videos are indeed a way for him to share what he has learned with those of us who will undoubtedly view them again, and again. I feel a deep sense of gratitude, not only for Harry Bryan’s way of living and working, but for the documentation of it here. Thank you.

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  Peter Brackenbury says:

  Thanks Again. Any video OCH makes starring Harry I’ll watch again and again. Happy Holidays and here’s to another successful year sharing these beautiful stories and skills in 2016!