"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening,

that is translated through you into action 

and because there is only one of you in all time

this expression is unique...

And if you block it, 

it will never exist through any other medium 

and will be lost."

-Martha Graham 

Start Quote

A hobby is a wonderful way to start freeing ourselves creatively. 

That's because no one expects us to be perfect at a hobby.

Hobbies allow us to experiment...

Pursuing a hobby warms up our talents 

and illuminates our natural inclinations.

We get to try on imaginary lives and see how they fit...

Today choose one to pursue. 

If you need materials...make a list of the necessary supplies.

Give yourself a week to assemble what you need to get going,

and one week from today plan an hour to begin. 

By doing this, you commit to bringing more fun into your life, 

and what was once inconceivable will soon 

become impossible to live without.

End Quote

I have lots of hobbies.

As you may have read in my 10 solitary pleasures.

But what I want to do?

Ballet.

I liked it when I was little, 

even though I do remember complaining about it. 

I think I complained about a lot of things when I was little. 

My mom started me in ballet because I walked pigeon toed.

She said that people told her dance would fix it, 

and so because she loved me she put me in dance. 

I hated my teacher because she would sometimes use a cane, 

and I never felt confident or felt like I knew the routines 

because, you know, dance class was only once a week.

I remember complaining about how I wanted to take 

jazz and tap like my cousins...

But now? 

Now I would give anything to dance on the tips of my toes 

in pretty ballet shoes with ribbons. 

But unfortunately, I can't do it all.

Unlike you, who will be starting something next week,

I'll start ballet next year. 

When I'm not spending an hour a day or more blogging. 

***

Gratitude Journal

***

1) Getting a text from my best friend. 

2) Driving safe.

3) Nature.

4) The sunshine and sunset.

5) It's Friday. Friday's are awesome.

July 27th - Solitary Pleasures

Start Quote

Remember, once upon a time, 

when we all knew how to play?

...

Nothing that once made us feel happy and fulfilled is ever lost...

Why not have a brainstorming session on paper 
to excavate your buried bliss?

[1]

Write out a quick list of ten solitary pleasures...

Need some help?

[2]

Well, what was your favorite childhood game? 
[3]

Your favorite sport?
[4]

Your favorite movie as a kid?
[5]

Your favorite book?
[6]

Comic strip?
[7]

Your favorite singer or musical group?
[8]

What was the best time you ever had as a youngster?

As a teenager? 

As an adult?

Can you remember?

...
[9]

If you could instantly acquire three additional skills, 

what would they be?...

[10]

What three outrageous things would you try 
if no one knew about it?...

[11]

What three daring things sound intriguing, 
even if you'd probably never attempt them?...

[12]

What three all-expenses-paid vacations appeal to you?...

[13]

Do you like to work with your hands...
or does the visual appeal to you?...

Get the idea?

There's a fabulous world out there just waiting to be explored. 

We simply have to be willing to experiment.

A hobby affords us a marvelous opportunity 
to awaken our natural talents.

It does require a little bit of effort.

First of all we have to figure out what we'd like to do...

Then we have to carve out time to do it...

Seeking and finding a solitary pleasure 
that would make you jump out of the bed 
each morning to pursue it...

End Quote

So, here's my list!

[1] Ten Solitary Pleasures

                           1) Crocheting

                           2) Composing and arranging music

                           3) Reading

                           4) Writing

                           5) Sewing

                           6) Cooking

                           7) Organizing

                           8) Walking

                           9) Gardening

                          10) Thrift store shopping

[2] Favorite Childhood Game

A computer game! 

And don't forget minesweeper, 

and card games like gin and solitaire.  

[3] Favorite Sport

Soccer, swimming, running, and ultimate frisbee! 

I'm not very good at them, but I still like to play them.

[4] Favorite Movie

Good question, I have no idea. 

Probably a Disney movie. Maybe Little Mermaid.

[5] Favorite Book

I'm not sure if I have one, but I know I loved Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia. I remember loving Nancy Drew, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Anne of Green Gables, Pride and Prejudice, Little House on the Prairie...

How could I ever choose a favorite?

Well, now my favorite is Atlas Shrugged. 

[6] Favorite Comic Strip

I loved the Sunday Comics. I didn't have a favorite, just the comics in general. It was one of the highlights of my Sundays. 

[7] Favorite Singer or Musical Group

Well, when I was a teenager it was all punk pop and emo. 

Avril Lavigne, Linkin Park, Yellow Card, Good Charlotte, My Chemical Romance, All American Rejects, Panic at the Disco,  Fall Out Boy, Jimmy Eat World, Evanesence, The Killers, Green Day...

Man, those were the days.

[8] Favorite Memory

I have no idea. I have a terrible memory.

[9] Three Skills

                    1) Play the guitar

                    2) Know how to really sew, like for real, 

                        instead of the guesswork that I do.

                    3) Green thumb. If I could know how to keep          

                        everything alive and thriving, 

                        that would be awesome. 

[10] Three Outrageous Things

If no one knew about it?

Uhm...I'm not much for outrageousness. 

But if I had to choose, I would want to try fire breathing, hula dancing in front of a crowd, and bungee jumping.

[11] Three Daring Things

Even if you'd never attempt them?

Dying my hair a different color, like teal or fire engine red, race car driving, and tight rope walking, like super high up.

[12] Three Vacations

Cruises. Cruises all the way. 

European, Alaska, and Caribbean. 

[13] Hands or Visual?

Both. 

***

Gratitude Journal

***

1) Dentist. I only have one cavity! That's better than the four I had last time :(

2) A relaxing day...we've kind of had a relaxing week, it's pretty awesome.

3) Pizza and family for dinner! And Moana. 

4) My kids. They are freakin adorable.

5) Sleep. 

July 26th - Love Of Life

Start Quote

In the beginning spending regular time alone 
just to collect your thoughts 
will seem like indulgence enough. 

Spending time alone to nurture your authentic vision, 
to express yourself creatively, 
to enjoy a personal pursuit that 
brings you contentment and pleasure 
will seem - well, impossible.

Incredulous. 

Impractical.

Inconceivable.

Out of the question. 

 

"Right. In another life,"

is the usual response, 

along with audible sighs and the rolling of eyes...

Then wistful looks appear.

"You mean to have fun?"...

"Yes. Have fun."

"You mean, by myself?"

"Yes, by yourself. 

Fun.

What would you like to do if you ever had the time?"

"Fun?"

[Yes fun.

By yourself.]

You can see where this leads. 

Most women I meet have a hard time

 holding up their end of the conversation 

when fun is the topic. 

Let the discourse be on diaper rash 

or Einstein's Theory of Relativity 

and we can hold our own.

But fun for its own sake?

The plain truth is that somewhere between 

family and careers during the last twenty years, 

most of us have misplaced an essential part of ourselves. 

Once we begin embarking on solitary sojourns 

to get reacquainted with our authentic selves, 

we usually discover that something is missing. 

It's called zest.

Exuberance.

Joi de vivre, as the French would say, 

or "the love of life."

The great delight that comes 

when the pieces of our particular puzzle finally fit. 

The heartfelt happiness we derive 

when something brings us keen pleasure. 

Something uniquely our own. 

They used to call this magical something a hobby.

But what to do?

End Quote

Play.

Use your imagination. 

Idle, putter, dawdle, 

figure it out. 

Try something, 

then try something else. 

Try to have fun by yourself, 

whatever it is you're doing.

***

Gratitude Journal

***

1) Bed time.

2) Mothers helpers. 

3) Leftover mexican food.

4) Getting laundry done.

5) A day to rest.