Two to three months ago, my youngest daughter (18) decided out of the blue that she would learn to crochet. It is not surprising; when she was nine years old, she was making stuffed animals (plushies). She would create patterns all on her own, cut out the felt, sew it on a sewing machine we bought her, and stuff it with cotton batting. She made some wonderful plushies. It lasted a few years before she walked away from it, but she learned.
It was no surprise when a couple of months ago, she showed me a row of stitches (I don’t know crochet terms) in purple. She pointed out that the rows were not even, as some were tight and others loose – she had just started. But she explained to me, “Sure I suck now. I’m making lots of mistakes. But every time I do, I learn. I get better. Very soon, I won’t suck so much. In no time at all, I’m going to be pretty good at this.”
I never gave it much thought. Mother and I moved from the house and left our old house to the three kids. We see them regularly, but not daily. We all have different schedules.
On Father’s Day my daughter gave me a crocheted stuffed turtle. She knows turtle is my spirit animal. On it's back, instead of typical patterns for a turtle, she sewed a Yin/Yang symbol. It is truly amazing. The stitch pattern she used is very tight and uniform. She said it took her a few days to make it.
Then she went on to inform me that she has already made a few jellyfish, and a penguin. She is selling the penguin to a girl where she works and is requested to make more. She has a list of plushies to make on commission. All this in a few short months.
She decided to learn, looked up information on YouTube, bought her own supplies, stayed up late after work, and taught herself a new skill. A skill she can share with others. She will eventually open an Etsy store and make decent money on the side.
It reminds me of all the things I’ve learned over the years. Karate, guitar, Reiki, Acupressure, Massage, etc. All these things I learned out of the blue. I sucked at them at first. But every time I mucked it up, I learned something. Trust me, when you mess up in karate class, the lesson is learned. With bruises. Or a second-place trophy. When I make a mistake during massage clinic, I know right away. I can ask a teacher to explain how to do something better. I learn and get better.
Heck, I’m at an age when people wouldn’t think to go learn therapeutic massage. But I will ad this skill to my offerings at my company – Tri State Holistic Wellness. Body, mind, and spirit included the body, so I better get after it.
But to learn something, one must start at the bottom. One must swallow his pride and begin with the basics. No matter what your accomplishments elsewhere, you must still be shown the basics. This can be humbling. Moreover, one must practice the basics again and again.
Discipline is doing what you must do when you want to do it. That means practicing the basics until you are sick of it, then doing it some more. I read somewhere that when Tiger Woods was at the top of his game the first time (no, I don’t know shit about golf or Tiger Woods) that he constantly practiced the basics his dad had showed him. The basics translated to more intricate techniques, but he never forgot the importance of the basics. I was younger when I started studying karate. I wanted to perform more flashy and complicated techniques. My instructors reminded me that one well placed straight punch means more than all the flashy moves in the world. I resigned to practicing basic forms, strikes, and kicks. I honestly no longer remember the more complicated forms. I have a number of basic forms I like to practice, as they are infinitely practicable if one knows how to use the techniques contained therein.
There is a Chinese term, Gongfu. It has been loosely translated into Kung Fu by Westerners. In the West, Kung Fu means Chinese Martial Arts. Northern and Southern styles, including Shaolin and Wing Chun.
But the original Gongfu means something entirely different. It means a skill acquired by work over a prolonged time. In China, one would compliment another on his advanced skill in any endeavor, whether it be baking, noodle making, woodworking, sword making, or calligraphy, by telling him he has great Gongfu in that endeavor. I watched a video of a Japanese man who is an expert in Soba noodles. His technique was fascinating to watch, every move exact and perfect. He was performing in front a crowd of people, and they all ate the results of his expert craft. It was hypnotizing to watch him work. All I could think is that his Gongfu for noodle-craft was the pinnacle of success.
So, what’s the point to my feeble words to you, my dear reader? Why have I brought you here?
We all must start somewhere. We will all make mistakes. But we should never give up learning something new.
Are you finished with your life right now?
Do you have a job and think no further than that? What else do you do? Are you your job?
There is a warning for policemen. We often become so involved with our identity as a policeman that once we retire, we don’t know what else we are. We go home, sit on the couch with a beer, and die within two years. It really happens. Are you identified as your job? What else do you do?
Are you finished?
You came to this life with a purpose. You manifested your spirit into this human flesh with a gift. Find that gift, work it into a skill, and hone it into a talent. Share that talent with the world. And yes, you’re allowed to make money with that talent. If you can do this, you'll never work a day in your life.
What are your interests? If you didn’t have to worry about bills, what you learn to do? Why aren’t you doing it? YouTube can teach you how to rebuild the transmission on a Ford Econoline 350; I’m it will teach you piano, sewing, cabinet making, or fly-fishing.
Do it.
Every breath leaves you one less to your last.
Begin today. Learn, live, grow.
You are not finished.
Weeg
Joe “Weeg” Weigant is a Holistic Health Practitioner, Metaphysician, and Empowerment Coach. He combined bodywork, energy work, sound therapy, and coaching to relieve anxiety and depression. A balanced nervous and energy system increases health in the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies. Joe encourages his clients to drop the white flag of victimhood and pick up the banner of empowerment. He inspires people to stop riding in life’s trunk and start sitting in the driver’s seat of destiny.
Weeg sells herbal products by Nature’s Sunshine and Pure Herbs Ltd. and is a Representative for Juice Plus. Weeg teaches Karate and Tai Chi, Reiki Certification, as well as seminars and workshops in metaphysical and spiritual matters. Weeg is available for sessions at Tri State Holistic Wellness by appointment only.
Contact by text 812.568.5356, or Facebook Messenger to set an appointment.