Never Stop Learning

Before my death and the beginning of my depression, I wanted to know how to do everything. I wood carved spoons and bowls, black smithed hooks and wall decorations, practiced banjo, learned survival skills…

But depression took all of that away. When my focus simply became “stay alive” all of that extra stuff vanished. Nothing held my interest. Old hobbies seemed like a waste of time… so, instead, I would just sit and stare at a tv all day.

It took me nearly 8 years before my interests started coming back. I painted models, airbrushed, bought a guitar and started learning… Money is tight so my forge still sits cold and the list of hobbies and activities just sits in wait.

But I recently did something I never thought I would do. My 18 year old daughter crochets and blows our minds at how good she is. And she often jokes and says “Hey dad! Want me to teach you how to crochet?”

This week, however, when she asked me I caught myself before I said “no”. Why not? It’s just one more skill. So I took the night off of guitar practice and sat with her while she taught me basics. And tonight… I finished my first hacky sack.

My first attempt was elongated and looks more like a sweater for male genitalia… I’m going to mail it to a friend with no explanation. But my second one came out great.

Is this post because I’m proud of my accomplishment? Ok, yes. Maybe so. But it’s more than that too. Because there is a world of activities, skills, hobbies and crafts that will stimulate these brains of ours and get us thinking and moving. And bypassing some of them because someone else might think it’s stupid is shallow.

Your brains are not made to be entertained. They were created to… create. To think and comprehend. And you are wasting all of that power and potential if you remain stationary, staring at someone else’s works.

Nothing to sell here tonight. No affiliate links or ads. Just encouragement to never stop learning new things. Things that increase your “value” if you will. Things that add to your sense of fulfillment. Your qualifications in life. Things that make you confident and proud.

And if anyone has something to say about it… ignore them. You’re just learning something that their pride is blocking.