I was listening to a podcast today that asked why we do what we do. This question is not new to me and is one I have asked groups of people in my working life. Much of that part of my life was working to equalize the playing field for all learners. It was important to me because I saw first hand how inequitable schools can be depending on their location, the families who attend them, and the teachers who teach in them.
Now that I am no longer actively in the field of education I ask myself why I do what I do. I have so many choices and have honed in on just a few. One of them is writing. It’s why I share this blog with my few readers. I love to write and I feel I have something worth saying. One of the things I love to do is think and prompt others’ thinking. There is nothing like a good discussion.
One of the other choices I’ve made is to create, to make, mostly focusing on fiber arts through machine and hand sewing. I have always loved sewing, though I put it aside during the busy years of working and raising a family. Now I’m back.
I’ve learned a few new things this go-around- machine embroidery, machine quilting, a bit of hand embroidery, new quilting patterns, and so much more. As I’ve dabbled in new areas it is clear to me that others are also dabbling and learning. I’ve been in classes where it’s clear that others have never sewn a garment because they don’t know what I consider the basics, just as I may not know the basics in other areas of sewing. What I hope for in each of these instances is for a kind soul to extend a hand and usher me into the fold, introducing me to a new way of sewing or making and encouraging me as I make mistakes and try again. Isn’t that what we all want as we step into new territory?
What have you tried that is new to you? Where did your helping hand come from?
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