Abundance Quest

This first month was the month to select my new Word for the year. Those who follow this blog know my word is Abundance. I chose for this month's theme "Sing a New Song". I have been enjoying music on my ipod and on the playlists of friends as I read their posts. More figuratively, is all of the possible new skills there are to learn.

I have a friend who has created lists of new things to be accomplished each year. The list has included places to visit and new skills to learn including snowboarding and photography. I have made my own list and this year I am going to knit. Like quilting, it is a craft that requires some skill and a commitment of time. You might recall this post where I talk about the prayer shawl knitted for my husband when he had his surgery. I also have a friend who has knitted the most amazing felted bag. Every year at Christmas I marvel at the wonderful gifts that can be made and shared, yet I never plan far enough in advance to create these handmade gifts. This year will be abundantly different. I will spend February beginning the practice of knitting, with the hope of having some handmade gifts to share with family and friends in December.

Quiffstress

Learning a new skill can be a bit intimidating, after all, what if I am not good at it, what if I start and realize it is yet another unfinished project awaiting me, or what if I love it and am good at it and make the most beautiful projects.

I have a quote posted on the cabinet of my desk written by Martha Graham. Until today I did not know who Martha Graham was. Wikipedia did not disappoint: "Martha Graham (May 11, 1894 – April 1, 1991) was an American dancer and choreographer regarded as one of the foremost pioneers of modern dance" "Graham invented a new language of movement, and used it to reveal the passion, the rage and the ecstasy common to human experience. She danced and choreographed for over seventy years, and during that time was the first dancer ever to perform at The White House, the first dancer ever to travel abroad as a cultural ambassador, and the first dancer ever to receive the highest civilian award, the Medal of Freedom."

No surprise that this woman was so accomplished when you read what she has to say about learning a skill: " I believe that we learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. In each, it is the performance of a dedicated precise set of acts, physical or intellectual, from which comes shape of achievement, a sense of one's being, a satisfaction of spirit. One becomes, in some area, an athlete of God. Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired."

I for one do not want perfection but I do want "satisfaction of spirit", for that is the goal in my quest for abundance. The rest is an "act of vision, of faith and of desire." Knitting is not the only practice I need. There are many more qualities to be explored. I hope joyful practice will be a part of the experience as I enjoy the process.

Abundance is...singing a new song and learning something new.