Tag: skill

Joyful Life, Uncategorized

Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is

Michele Kearns

Last week I wrote about the importance of learning new skills this year. Well, I decided I needed to put my money where my mouth is, so I started learning how to tie various knots.

I got this small kit on Amazon and figured I would start here and if I did well, then pick up a book and some rope to learn more.

Bowline

This is my first attempt at a bowline – “a knot that will not jam” according to the plastic card. It was easy to tie.

Sheet Bend

This easy to tie knot is for joining two lines, including two lines of different sizes. (I tried to rotate this picture but nothing I did worked.)

This little kit is a great starting point for learning how to tie knots. Each card is plastic and some have instructions for two knots on the front and back.

Also included were two different cords and a carabiner clip you use for tying a knot. My plan was to hook the carabiner clip to the decorative post on the deck and then tie the knots on the clip. However, the weather has been too dang cold. It is a “balmy” 7 degrees as I write this post (Saturday morning).

This inexpensive kit is a great way for anyone to start and learn knot tying.

This is the new skill I am learning. When will I use this skill, I do not know but it is knowledge that can not be taken away from me. I plan on learning other skills this year and will keep you posted when I do.

Bio: Michele Kearns is the founder and HUG© (Hope Unites Globally) Award-Winner of JoyReturns. She shares her widowhood adventures hoping to inspire widows to move through grief and rebuild their lives. A graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor’s degree in communications, she’s currently using those skills as a virtual logistics contact center representative. She’s also managed call center teams, co-facilitated a grief support group, and helped small businesses with various writing assignments. Michele is a bookworm, and a lover of history, music, chocolate, red roses, and golden retrievers. She is also the amateur photographer behind the blog OgleOhio.com.

Joyful Life

Living a Joyful Life – Learn New Skills

Michele Kearns

It is important to keep learning as you move forward through life. Learn by reading books, taking online courses, watching Youtube videos or attending in-person classes (if available).

The number one skill I recommend you learn this year is gardening, even if it is just one tomato plant in a pot on your patio or some basil, mint or other herb. (Mint is an invasive plant and must be grown in a container.)

Old Resin Planter & Tennis Ball

There is nothing like the taste of a fresh tomato off the vine. How often can you eat your accomplishments?

Other skills I recommend:

  • Communication – whether it is writing, public speaking or using walkie talkies with the kids or grandkids while they play hide-n-go seek or campout in the living room.
  • Crafty – this includes sewing, candle making, soap making, macramé, scrapbooking, or any other crafty skill. Learning these things gives you the opportunity to make homemade gifts for friends and family.
  • Hammer Time – Learn how to use a hammer, screwdriver, and drill. You never know when this will come in handy for little day to day chores like hanging pictures, unscrewing the sweeper to change the belt, or drilling holes to hang shelves for nicnacs.
  • Decorating – Widows are usually have very limited income and therefore not always able to keep up with the latest décor trends. Learn how to refresh your house with items already in your attic, basement, or other rooms. Included in this is rearranging a room. It will help you visualize where furniture will fit in the different rooms in your house.

Try It, You’ll Like It

If you try soap making and decide you do not like it, at least you tried it. The only way you discover you do or do not like doing something is to try it. At the very least, you gain a new appreciation for people who do make soap. Best case is you discovered a new thing you like to create.

Go For It

If you want to learn something else, like lawn mowing, go for it. The main goal of this year is to learn at least 1 new skill that will benefit your life and the lives of family and friends.

Learning a new skill will help keep your mind off grief if even for a short while.

However, the main benefit is the knowledge you learn can not be taken from you.

I’m going to grow some herbs not sure which ones yet and maybe one lone tomato plant.

What skill will you choose to learn this year?

Recommended Reading

This is the latest installment in the Joyful Life series. Prior posts can be found on the Start Here page.

Bio: Michele Kearns is the founder and HUG© (Hope Unites Globally) Award-Winner of JoyReturns. She shares her widowhood adventures hoping to inspire widows to move through grief and rebuild their lives. A graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor’s degree in communications, she’s currently using those skills as a virtual logistics contact center representative. She’s also managed call center teams, co-facilitated a grief support group, and helped small businesses with various writing assignments. Michele is a bookworm, and a lover of history, music, chocolate, red roses, and golden retrievers. She is also the amateur photographer behind the blog OgleOhio.com.