I
know this blog will be a special one for me ~ after all it's over 40 years in
the making! Lately I have had a friend and a family member venture (or at least
think) about the world of music & learning to play the guitar. Bravo!! It
got me thinking about my own brush with acoustic folk music greatness - NOT!!
Yes, I took guitar lessons at age 11 or 12, fell in love with Jackson Browne, The
Eagles and had sheet music in high school as a self-learner & then in
college when a summer away had everyone strumming & me plinking... Ok,
maturity showed me that this was not my calling at all; no talent whatsoever.
Following that was learning French in high school & college. I passed classes
that's all I can say. I had a few phrases for a week trip to Paris but that's all
for 4 years of torture... Even a few years ago I put the Duo lingo app on my
tablet to learn Italian. (thinking the Universe would see I was serious about
going back to that awesome country) Great app & the Universe saw my
ineptitude & hid behind the clouds!! There has also been attempts at scuba
diving (claustrophobic catastrophe), driving a stick shift (took lessons, also instructed
by friends over the years - thanks Rocker & Wrecker for sacrificing your
clutches!) and just can't get it, don't like it. Could I go somewhere in a emergency
- sure. Could I find a bathroom in France - of course. Could I force myself to
scuba if there was a chest of Spanish gold coins within my reach -
abso-friggin-lutely!! Could I serenade someone with a love song - well not a
chance! This girl has learned her limitations...
These un-manifested skills have not stopped
this dreamer though. I am still the one with the vision board & the Bucket
List so I keep trying!! This past weekend away with the Besties, the Bucket
List reared its head with a Rappelling adventure in a state park. Beautiful
leaves, fantastic summer-like weather, the bestest of friends & a 85-ft.
cliff!! So of our five, three were able to climb & rappel twice. (didn't
know there'd be a short rope climb that was a ball buster before you got to the
top - [must remember to read website more thoroughly] ) It was terrifying and
exhilarating too! The two who felt their limitations still had fun and can now
put this one behind them and with all of us will try something again from the
list soon! (although I had to promise flat Terre firma next time!) The message
in all of this is to have fun and a sense of humor trying new things. They may
not be your 'thing' after all is said & done, but there is a universe full
of new things to try, fail & learn & eventually occasionally succeed!! No
limitations there. We need to give ourselves a pat on the back every morning
for our successes & near misses and keep trying new things every now &
then to keep ourselves young & that heart beating fast!!
I'm not
sure what's next but I know in my life I've chosen well with picking friends
and been blessed with a wonderful family all of whom tolerate my Bucket List
lovingly (and with an occasional eye roll which usually tells me I'm on to
something)!! So keep trying & failing and trying!!! This girl will never give up...
