So many references today that start with “I” today, rather “i,” refer to technology of all kinds. We’ve got the iPod, iPhone, iTouch, iPad. The other night, when spending time with friends, I noted to my friend Ian that I had an eye twitch because of all of the time I’ve spent on my computer and the lack of sleep I’ve had. His wonderful response was “Oh, yes, the iTwitch. I hear they’re becoming very popular.”
I craft. No computers or internet involved, unless I’m researching patterns on-line. My crafty enjoyment is fueled by crocheting, sewing and making/individualizing greeting cards. Crafting is only one form of hobbies, and I wish hobbies for everyone. When people have stated, “Call me if you get bored,” I just have to smile and reply, “I never get bored, so you won’t hear from me.” There is always something to do.
My friends, family and acquaintances have grown accustomed to my homemade gifts; I could tell you my friends’ and family members’ head circumferences because I’ve crocheted hats for them. Not everyone appreciates homemade items, which is not a character flaw, but in the crocheting and knitting world, this individual is deemed “not craft worthy” because the efforts will not be appreciated or enjoyed. Totally fine and just good information to have. But why not share ourselves more in the gifting realm? Do we really need more things all the time? (No!) If you have a talent, why not gift that? Not always material “gifts,” homemade or sharing of ourselves can be other opportunities. I’ve gifted reiki. Ask my siblings about the typical gifts I gave when they were growing up and I was in high school and college, and they’ll tell you I often presented them with handmade gift certificates for things like lunch and a movie. Shifting away from the materialism and obligation can result in a much more genuine, needed, memorable gift—time with loved ones.
I also enjoy the practical side of handmaking things I need. Since I’ve had my French press coffee maker (black tea is still my typical routine), I always had to wrap a kitchen towel around the glass carafe to keep the coffee warm, as I (or we) enjoyed multiple cups. Last Saturday, during some phone conversations, I crocheted a cozy with scrap yarn I had, adding buttons and loops to fasten, for my French press. I don’t think I’ll ever buy a winter hat or scarf again, as I make all kinds for me and others. When my brother Adam lived with me last year, he wanted fingerless gloves, so I made some of those for the first time, too.
What inspires you? What could you teach? What do you like to share? In Boulder and multiple other cities, there is an amazing event called Ignite. Ignite is a unique event in a theater-style venue where people from the community present information about their passion in five minutes, in a series of 20 auto-advancing slides.
Ignite Boulder is a night of presentations with a twist. Presenting on a subject of their choice, speakers have exactly five minutes to teach something, enlighten us, or simply inspire—backed by twenty slides auto-advancing every fifteen seconds. Quick, fun, and smart, we sell out the largest venues in Boulder.
~http://igniteboulder.com/
The presenters are usually hilarious, and some get us thinking about serious topics. The idea, though, is to share passions in a unique venue, and a fantastic time is always guaranteed. When I’ve gone with friends several times, we’ve all noted that the energy is buzzing… literally. People are excited, friendly, happy, smiling for no reason. Why? It’s an event full of passions and people sharing theirs. I’ve heard presentations at Ignite Boulder title everything from “How I Survived Being on a Family Game Show” [one female’s interesting and fun tale about being on Family Feud with her family in the 1980s] to “The Independence Day Theory: Why an Alien Visit May Be Humanity’s Only Hope for Survival” to “Lunch Lady Land – Food Activists on the Front Lines of the Childhood Obesity Battle” to “Almost Nothing is Irreversible.” Thanks to the amazing Andrew Hyde for organizing 12 of these and starting this whole incredible event! Several of the presentations are on YouTube, so find those here.
Discover your passion and pursue it persistently. ~Erika M. Schreck
Crafting for me is sanity; it’s calm; it’s productivity; it’s one of my passions. I get excited about patterns and crocheting new items; I get excited about yarn and can identify many colors and skeins even without their labels. Sewing eye pillows, concocting essential oil sprays and making sea salt bath mixtures. I craft. And I do other things, too, but, again, I wish hobbies and passions for everyone, and the possibilities are wonderful.
How are we sharing and showing our passions? Why not talk more about passionate interests than too often drone on about what’s not going as well in our lives? Notice the lovely increase in energy when we talk about things that inspire us.