Love this. I talked recently with colleagues about 'how do we know when we're aligned with purpose' - the two best answers - 'it feels good in my body' and 'my soul makes a sigh of relief' - I think this applies to so-called hobbies too. I think we forget how important following our curiosity can be - more and more I think it's a nudge from my soul.
It's SO hard, in this culture, to step out from under the shadow of commerce. I struggle with the same intrusive thoughts that tell me something I'm interested in is only worth doing if I can monetize it. It can feel like a rebellious act to do something simply for the joy it brings - no strings attached.
I love every word of this and the poem is sublime.
I had this debate in my head a year and half ago when I pondered if I wanted to pick up my guitar again. Now I can say if it grows into a love affair between the strings and me that no one else even sees or hears that would be delightful.
Thank you for the compliment, Paula! I don't know anything about poetry, but I felt that feel and rhythm when writing it, so just went with it.
I adore this sentence "Now I can say if it grows into a love affair between the strings and me that no one else even sees or hears that would be delightful." Absolutely adore it.
I love it when you come onto substack and read exactly the post you need right now. Thank you for sharing. For me I often squash the little things that bring me joy because I try to make them into something 'more', to hold up too much other 'stuff' so your line about just letting them be 'one part of many parts that make up the mosaic of you.' was really beautiful and resonated with me.
I think we can all be guilty of that. Thinking that a thing has to be 'more' to be worthy. I can see how that suffocates initial curiosities and interests. How sad, not tasting and seeing, because who knows what they might develop into if we don't take a first bite.
Love this. I talked recently with colleagues about 'how do we know when we're aligned with purpose' - the two best answers - 'it feels good in my body' and 'my soul makes a sigh of relief' - I think this applies to so-called hobbies too. I think we forget how important following our curiosity can be - more and more I think it's a nudge from my soul.
I very much agree with this. I have never been able to deny a peaceful sigh of relief. It's an audible sound of something that is true for each of us.
It's SO hard, in this culture, to step out from under the shadow of commerce. I struggle with the same intrusive thoughts that tell me something I'm interested in is only worth doing if I can monetize it. It can feel like a rebellious act to do something simply for the joy it brings - no strings attached.
Required and necessary rebellion, indeed.
Absolutely!
YES!!! A thousand times yes to this!!
I was thinking of it and smiling as I read this
“If it makes you smile.
If it brings contentment.”
I like that kind of serendipity :)
I love every word of this and the poem is sublime.
I had this debate in my head a year and half ago when I pondered if I wanted to pick up my guitar again. Now I can say if it grows into a love affair between the strings and me that no one else even sees or hears that would be delightful.
Thank you for the compliment, Paula! I don't know anything about poetry, but I felt that feel and rhythm when writing it, so just went with it.
I adore this sentence "Now I can say if it grows into a love affair between the strings and me that no one else even sees or hears that would be delightful." Absolutely adore it.
Love this…as I head off to my crochet class this morning which is entirely, simply, just for me 💕
Entirely, simply and wholly enough. I hope you enjoyed it :)
Love the poem:-) Especially the ending. So different from Nike's slogan and some of the same.
I love it when you come onto substack and read exactly the post you need right now. Thank you for sharing. For me I often squash the little things that bring me joy because I try to make them into something 'more', to hold up too much other 'stuff' so your line about just letting them be 'one part of many parts that make up the mosaic of you.' was really beautiful and resonated with me.
I think we can all be guilty of that. Thinking that a thing has to be 'more' to be worthy. I can see how that suffocates initial curiosities and interests. How sad, not tasting and seeing, because who knows what they might develop into if we don't take a first bite.
So true
Thanks for sharing! It not only applies to hobbies, but also for the regular job(s) that you do. Unless you love what you do, you can't taste success.