It has been said that watching TV and eating is a bad thing. Mainly because you mindlessly feed your face not even realizing what you have or if it’s any good. In some case’s it’s just boredom eating. I very easily fit in that category.
Well I’m hoping to change that. First English has several programs to help Lutheran World Relief and members in their own congregation. Along with many other programs, quilts and prayer shawls are being made. Well, I’m new to sewing and don’t own a machine, so quilting is kind of out. Instead, I help piece together the quilt that someone else will sew. But its still not enough to keep these hands busy. After all I don’t have anything I can take home to work on from that.
After two weeks of camping with youths Doug asked me to learn how to make a Para cord belt. It’s a very cool looking belt that has practical purposes. While it holds up your pants, it also can be taken apart quickly to become a life saving rope. Though I don’t see Doug ever using it in that way. You can also make bracelets as well, I so love making new bracelets. Sweet, new project to keep the hands busy and pass the time. Although I only tired one day, I was not successful in making a bracelet, due to not having proper supplies. Off to a crafting store to see if I can obtain what I need.
Plus, along with the idea of the belt/bracelet, I am teaching myself to knit and working on a little crocheting. It seems the busier my hands are, the less likely I will be to eat, and can actually make practile gifts for those around me, and even myself. I hope to be making prayer shawls soon.
But keeping the hands busy, is also a way of keeping the loneliness blues away. I have been here almost two year and made a few friends. However, the closest person too me, moved leaving me to sit around most evenings. So learning new skills, keeps me from thinking about that. Much like the Mask of a clown, I smile but I’m not as happy as I could be. I am hopeful that being a part of First English will help that, if only for a year. I actually look forward to work, just so that I have someone to talk to.
I know what your all thinking, “she must be depressed again”, but truth is I’m not depressed, lonely maybe, but not depressed. So the more I keep my hands busy, the more I feel like I’m a part of something. The more I keep my mind for going places it really doesn’t need to go. It’s staying positive.
Seminary is such a transitional time. You learn a lot about yourself and learn that Good-byes are never easy, but happen often. Seminary I believe in my case, was not only for Doug to learn and lead, but for me as well. I think I know what I need to work on personally. I also am learning that “keeping up with the Jone’s” doesn’t really bring on happiness, but more greed and need. Hey that’s not to say I don’t still WANT things, but I’m learning that although want is a human emotion, it does not have to control you and become a NEED. And just because “BettyJane” got some new household gadget doesn’t mean I need it too. I’m learning to think about what I enjoy and what I will continue to use.
My tip for the day, should you want it, stop reading if you don’t……every now and then re-evaluate who you are, what you have, who you’ve become and if your truly happy. Keep those hands busy, and keep moving forward.