A List and a little inspiration
>> Thursday, June 23, 2011
My sister and I recently had a long conversation about hobbies and learning new things. The fact of the matter is there aren't many people in my day to day existence that 'get it' when they see me knitting, or crafting with my kids, or staying up late when I am finishing a Halloween costume in time for a school party. I usually get a polite smile a somewhat enthusiastic, "good for you" and "you know they are selling a costume for a princess at Target right now", or " Kohl's is having a sale on sweaters. I know they mean well but they really don't get it. Creating something with your own hands. Always wanting to learn something new. Do people hit adulthood and stop wanting to learn new things? I hope that I never stop wanting to pick up a new hobby or learn something. I have my own list of things I would like to either do better or learn. Some of them are
get back into running::speak french::brush up on my very rudimentary Spanish::learn piano better::learn guitar::sew more than just a costume::practice yoga::paint::pottery::design a knitting pattern or two or three
Just a few things off the top of my head. Here is a list of inspiring woman that I tore out of an magazine, can't remember which one. Maybe this weekend we'll all be so lucky to learn something new or open up the door to something new for someone else.
1777 Teenager Sybil Ludington rides all night long through a storm to alert the 400 men in her father's militia that the redcoats are coming. She's called the female Paul Revere-but Paul rode with two of his buddies. And he was captured by the British.
1805 Sacagawea joins Lewis and Clark as their expedition's interpreter, traveling thousands of miles across the Rockies with her newborn babe strapped to her back
1906 Mada C.J. Walker hawks shampoos and serums door-to-door. The orphaned daughter of former slaves, she becomes one of America's wealthiest businesswomen.
1938 Anna Mary Robertson Moses sells her first paintings, at age 78. Known as "Grandma" Moses she continues to paint for 23 years, becoming one of the century's most renowned folk artists.
1960 At the Rome Olympics, Wilma Rudolph-once partially paralyzed by polio-earns three gold medals in track-and-field, the first American woman to do so.
1967 Kathrine Switzer dares to run the all-male Boston Marathon, while an irate race official chases her
1985 Just 175 miles from the Iditarod finish line, Libby Riddles heads into a blizzard when other mushers opt to stay in camp; this gives her a six-hour lead and ultimately, the win.
Just a few of the many on the list. Sometimes a little inspiration is needed. Have a lovely weekend!!
13 comments:
Thanks for that really inspiring post. I loved it. I would love to learn how to paint.
I do know what you mean about making something with your own hands and it being so rewarding. It is a shame that some just don't get it.
thanks for the inspiration....amazing! I think one of the reasons I like blogging so much is because of people like you who just 'get it'...the need to craft and the desire to learn are so much a part of all that is shared here in the blogosphere.
What an impressive list!!! I'm not sure who amazed me the most - LOL
I recall you are reading Cutting for Stone so watch for reference to the 3 "Ls" of a good life: Learning, loving, Legacy.
There are a lot of people who don't 'get' that desire to make or master something for yourself.
I more often come across people who admire what I've done but say things like 'I don't know how you have the patience!' or 'I'd love to, but I don't have time'.
I wonder if it's a by-product of our consumer society. We change our clothes and our 'look' so often that it's not worth the committment of time and effort to make something yourself.
So funny that you mentioned that "kohl's is having a sale on sweaters" - a mom said that to me when i was knitting abigail's cardi. People are too content with sitting in front of the tv and zoning out for hours. love all the inspiring women who worked and learned and risked their lives for what they loved - thanks for sharing their stories. I want to learn hebrew - thus far my excuse has been that i can't get to the classes but i need to come up with a plan B and just do it. Great post, A!
loving your inspiration and your list!! your local friends may not "get it", but you can see you have many online friends who do!! so keep on creating and sharing all your creative goodness!!
What an incredible list and I love writing out things I'd like to learn. I usually have a notebook beside my bed to jot down ideas and dreams.
Also wanted to stop by and say I am just over half way through Cutting For Stone and am really enjoying it!
Lastly, you're right. Most people don't get it. But there is such satisfaction in creating and raising your children to see the value in handmade...and there is definitely a whole online blogging/cyber community that gets "it". I love stopping in to see what your hands have most recently made. :)
I think people are less interested in knitting because there's no instant gratification in it. It takes hours and hours to knit a sweater, but only a second to buy one off the home shopping channel!
I have really been enjoying your lists!
I love learning and making things. I would love to learn to play an instrument, to sing, to run more. I would love to be an inspiration to my girls.
just popping in to say hi! hope your summer is going wonderfully!
I laughed about the comments on sweater on sales! I too think it is great to continually learn! We have a few goals in common: knitting, languages and piano! I still need to continue to practice English, improve my Spanish and I recently started learning the basics of Italian! Thank you for commenting on my blog, it allowed me to get to know yours! I'll be back often!
Post a Comment