Hi readers! I’ve been away thinking, working, spiralling down into deep dark holes, clawing my way back up, falling down, back up again, writing songs, asking big questions, taking it easy, obsessing over the Netflix show, “Cheer,” eating chips, dreaming big dreams and then falling into a bucket of fear that got my nice clothes all wet and then buying a magical new handbag and wallet that make me feel like one million U.S. dollars.
I don’t like lines in sand. I don’t like putting things in categories labelled good and bad. I don’t like scenarios where our messy, imperfect humanity doesn’t have permission to be seen, forgiven and/or helped along by another messy imperfect traveller. I don’t like dealbreakers or ultimatums or, what I consider, a quest to weed out the bad ones. I identify as a bad one and a good one at the same time. Someone can paint me as a villian and another person could paint me as someone somewhat broken in need of healing. I prefer the second one while using the evidence gathered from the first one. Maybe because my name is Hope. Hope is a thing with wings that makes room for the possibility of something better to come than what we’ve seen so far. And hope does not disappoint. I disappoint, but HOPE doesn’t.
So the other day I was curious about how people live their lives from a place of joy, ease and possibility and asked about side hustles and hobbies. Dear reader, that was one of the best things I’ve done in a long time without knowing I was doing anything at all. What a beautifully diverse landscape of joyful living into the present landscape of struggle, overwhelm, distrust and hurt that one little question ushed in! It’s both. We’re all both. We’re beautifully glorious fearful hurting versions of our today selves with the question, “And now what?” After asking about hobbies and side hustles, I am hopeful. Filled with hope that the future will be better than our past. Here is the list of offerings from that thread I wish to share with you in order to help inspire you to consider how you can bring more joy and ease and LIFE into your living. People are amazing. This life is our one shot. Make it beautiful.
Hobbies and side hustles as offered by my friends on Facebook:
DJing, camping, hiking, fishing, greeting card making, swmming, singing, music, machinery repair, antique vehicle repair, eletrician for music festival, jumping rope, playing the stock market, writing music, painting acrylic on canvas and furniture, helping people update their CVs, Colorstreet, Lipsense, video, making chunky yarn blankets, weaving, knitting, reading, gardening, Thirty One, Tupperware, scuba diving, violin, producing concerts, sourdough bread baking, 5 string banjo, yoga, poetry, vinyl collecting, golf, making scrap mice dolls, murals and accent walls painting, cutting and polishing rocks, cycling, pottery, crochet, silverwork, podcasting, paddle boarding, kayaking, acrylic dip nails, teaching Music Together, HEMA with a longsword, repairing bicycles, church volunteer, Bible Study leader, crafting and DIY, teaching art to school children, cooking, painting, playing the drums, sewing, quilting, Ashtanga yoga, mandolin, fiber art, teaching fiddle, skiiing, mountain biking, practicing law, resurrecting old guitars, cross stitch, singing in a band, two stepping, photography, studying in the Gurdjieff School, pickling and canning, origami, pickle ball, community theatre, backpacking, health coaching, videography, mosaic art, flying trapeze, social justice and racial justice activism, walking, confirmation mentor, Team Mates mentor, ukulele, running, cattle show competitions, puzzles, sea turtle nest monitor (in the summer), CHaritable Force volunteer, swim coach, substitute dance coach, square dance, birding, woodworking. INCREDIBLE.
Just reading that list reminds me of what I can’t see on a daily basis from where I’m standing. All I have to do it turn the glass just slightly in the light so that it catches the refraction in a new way. Be bold. Be hopeful. You got this.
Tomorrow comes part two. The future version of this present moment. Stay tuned.