I do believe I may be taking on too much for this year. Lemme know what you think.
In my twenties, I composed a bucket list of three things I wanted to accomplish before my exit from this body: learn to play the violin, learn to speak Greek, and learn how to fly a small airplane. Let’s see how I’ve done on all that, nearly fifty years later, shall we?
I have been retired for 16 years now. Sixteen years! For seven of those years, I was caring for my bedridden and very ill son. I couldn’t leave him alone for long, no more than a few hours at a stretch, and I could do that only once or twice a week. It was hard.
In need high impact breaks of short duration, I developed interests in several things I could do in my own home, such as gardening, tap dancing, and blogging right here on good ole Hive. I learned how to sing! I also performed in plays, for which rehearsals rarely exceeded two hours in length; I could actually go be someone else for those two hours, a huge relief! I called these rehearsals my mini vacations.
After my son’s death, I finally had time to throw myself more fully into my hobbies, and throw myself I did. I spent a great deal of time here on Hive, hours of every day. My garden benefitted and I learned a lot about preserving the food I grew. Tai Chi became a daily practice.
Last year I embarked on a brand new vocation, and after one year of grueling studies, I have earned the right and the confidence to call myself a homeopath. I’ve gotten into many other healing methods over the years – a slew of diets, medical intuitives, nutritionists, essential oils, chiropractic, reiki, rolfing and others – but none of them actually effected cures of conditions like homeopathy does. That stuff works. You actually get better!
It's been four months since my graduation this past August. I’d gotten quite time-disciplined during my first year of homeopathic studies, so when graduation was over, I had lots of morning time to fill. I gleefully threw myself into my hobbies: gardening and Tai Chi at first. Then I finally began taking those violin lessons, with a really good classical teacher, the only kind I could find in this hillbilly town in upstate New York. Recently, a feeler I’d put out years ago for a country fiddle teacher finally paid out. I’ve only had one lesson with that fiddler so far, but I am sold. So now I have two violin teachers! Both he and my classical teacher are the Real Deals.
They have both piled work onto me.
I have a trip to Greece in the planning stages for over the summer, so I guess it’s now-or-never time to learn how to speak that language.
In short, I expect to hone my skills in Tai Chi, to become a better classical violinist, to learn to speak some Greek, and to learn how to jam with country and folk music bands.
Sounds good, right? Not bad for a seventy year old, no?
All’s good except for one thing.
My studies are certainly not over, learning homeopathy never is, and my second year of homeopathic studies is to start tomorrow. While I am looking forward to this, I am going to have to become very disciplined to pull it off, as well as to keep up with all the other things I hope to learn.
So what do you think? Too much?
This is my entry to the Silver Blogger community's topic of the week , Learning and skills you would like to learn or improve this year.
What have you got to show for yourself?
footer by our dear SilverFish, @mondoshawan
When you're retired you have all the time in the world, and often not enough hobbies to fill up your time, I wouldn't be worried if I were you.
Travelling to a country and immersing yourself is the best way to learn a language. Will you be staying in Greece for a long time? I was in Athens in October a few years ago and it was very hot, I imagine summer is going to be even hotter, take care, but enjoy yourself at the same time!
Thanks! I'll be going in summer, yes. It's the only time one of my daughters can go. October was very hot? I hoped to go around Christmas, but they don't want to go then.
I probably will only be there for about ten days. I have relatives there whom I have never met.
My good friend, aged 73, studies maths on a Monday meditation on a Tuesday, has dance classes on Thursday and Ukulele lessons on Friday, as well as being carer for her 87 year old sister. You're in the ha'penny place!:)
But seriously, I'm awed. You're one impressive lady.
Aw... shucks.
Another first for my 70th year, I'll be using my passport for the first time in my life.
This post is partly about developing skills. Sounds like your friend and I developed similar skills to deal with our enormous burdens. There is so much to be grateful for.
This is unimaginable to me. The moment I earned a few quid I started travelling. Have you never wanted to see Paris, Rome, London ...?
It's unimaginable to me as well, but it is true.
I was a food cult member. As soon as I emerged from that, I opened a restaurant. There was no taking-of-time-off, nor did I want to go anywhere, I was living my dream. Soon enough after, I started breeding, and that was that. Now I am free, I have the money, so off I go. My daughters both love to travel. Greece will be with them.
When you put it that way, it makes perfect sense. I completely forgot about the breeding part. That alone takes half a lifetime!
A trip to Greece will definitely fuel your wanderlust. You might even make it to Ireland before the world ends in 2040:)
😄
I am so very grateful I am not the person I was in my twenties :)) You don't have to live up to that person's ideal. You've lived a life that person could not have imagined. That person could not have imagine the years of lovingly caring for your son. That person could not have imagined the loss.
It's wonderful that you realize some of what you wished for. Good luck with Greek!! I need to take on another language. I love languages, but Greek seems to be very, very hard. You'll have to let us know.
Wonderful with the violin. Music has brought me such joy. There is listening, and then there is creating. Creating music yourself is so much richer.
I don't think you are taking on too much. You are rejoicing in your ability to learn, to live, to enjoy.
Keep us posted!
I don't think I had an ideal really,but if I did, I have surpassed it in integrity.
I am a bit ashamed to admit that just about the only music I listen to is music I am learning at the time. I only really enjoy live music, I gotta be in the room when it is being made in order to really dig it. I have always been this way.
I am of Greek descent. My father tried teaching his five kids, to little effect. We all had to attend Greek Sunday school in part to learn the language. I'm hoping that, even though this was 60 years ago, the relevant synapses will be more easily crossed for me now.
Absolutely doable! And you've got it all nailed down already; discipline is crucial, though, to juggle the plates you picked.
Greek is a nice language, and the people in Greece are very friendly. I've been twice. Summer in Athens is extremely hot, while the end of September is ideal for beach activities. Mastering a language requires a lifetime; however, learning the basics to have a brief conversation is achievable when approached strategically. Example: You like music; therefore, one strategy could be to listen to Greek music while gardening or cooking, printing out the lyrics, and rehearsing with the artist. Maybe you can ask your violin teacher to help you play a Greek song => now that will certainly knock the socks off your relatives in Greece ;)
I'm sure not lugging my violin along with me!
But that's a great idea to listen to some music and to learn the lyrics, I'll do that, thanks!
I want to go at Christmas, but my daughter wants/needs to go in July. ugh.
I'm impressed! Tomorrow I turn 70 and I couldn't begin to do all you are! I will be living vicariously through you! And I'm truly impressed by the homeopathy course!
I haven't had Lyme disease!
Happy Birthday!!!!
Thank you!
Learning Greek sounds challenging. Good luck with that! The learning violin one is I think wonderful. I love the violin and have often thought about learning myself. It has such a gorgeous sound. My favorite piece of music is Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Op. 35. I listen to that again and again and again. Such a beautiful violin part. I've thought about buying one of those electric violins so I can practice without disturbing the neighbors. But I have zero free time right now and likely won't for a few years, so I have some time to figure out that plan. Maybe when the kids grow up and move out.
I used to love that Tchaikovsky piece too! It's been years since I listened to it. I'll have to give listening to it a go.
I remember those years, of raising kids; I have no idea how I squeezed my career in there too, but I did. I took lessons during that time sporadically.
It takes forever before you can make a single good sound on the violin! I really don't think the neighbors can hear a thing though. You could get a mute for a regular violin, a practice mute nearly blocks all the sound.
Whoa, what a story. Sorry to hear about your son.
Even if you couldn't complete everything on your list you were able to do some other really cool stuff like the Homeopathy training, CONGRATULATIONS on that. Adding gardening, acting, and Tai Chi too, I think all of these more than makes up for the things on the list you've not completed.
You didn't say anything about your plans to still fly that small plane, is that still in the plans for you?
I seriously doubt I will ever learn to fly. I made the bucket list back in the days when I had a friend who flew, what fun that was! I still prefer the smaller planes to great big ones, but I don't have any interest in learning anymore.
What made you lose interest?
It seems like too much now. Too costly, gotta leave my home to do it. I guess I pared down my interests to things I can do in my home. I hate leaving it!
Alright, I quite understand that. As long as the desire isn't there anymore it is all good, plus you have a lot of other things to play with 😊
It would definitely be too much for me! ha ha
You know yourself though, so I believe you would not have taken it all on if you didn't believe you could do it.
It sounds fun!
I hope it all works out like you'd love it too.
I don't have to excel at any of this, and can step out of the violin or Tai Chi if I must. Ten minutes a day, though, which some say still brings improvement, I can pull that much off during the busiest times. It kinda can't work out poorly for me.
I don't know if it's too much. Probably, there isn't an objective measure of too much. Never too much of what you love to do. Possibly too much if you only feel you should be doing it.
It's cool that you do plays. I tried it and never got over the stage fright. That made it an excruciating experience. Then I found Hive and photography and realized I'm best behind the camera.
I know you as a writer. I must pay more attention to your photography!
I love the stage. I get this adrenaline rush and do stuff better than I have ever done it before - I get to be superhuman for a bit. Love to give speeches. The one thing that gives me stage fright is playing the violin in public!
As long as you keep having fun then nothing is too much as far as I am concerned! I did have a flying lesson once, it was a birthday present. But having been in two plane crashes in Africa, I never got the urge to learn to fly!
Let's see how you get on with things. I have Greek friends and been to a few islands and Athens, but I don't speak the language. We did Latin at school but not Greek.
You've certainly set your targets high @owasco! And achieved a lot already. Your passion for homeopathy is great, and I'm sure is helping a lot of sick people. I appreciated the advice you gave me. For sure helped when I followed your advice and got the remedies!
So nice to be learning violin and 2 different styles.
Good luck with learning Greek and planning for your trip.
An Accomplished Woman - a role model - a doer! Not just a thinker, not just a creative, but a DOER.
You have inspired and amazed me since your first freewrite here at Hive.
Learning a new language and mastering a musical instrument is challenging enough.
Studying, memorizing, doing homework, passing tests: you've kept your brain alive and well!
after one year of grueling studies, I have earned the right and the confidence to call myself a homeopath
Wow
CONGRATULATIONS!!
You also recognize that we never stop learning. Even the "masters" know this. Famous musicians continue to take voice lessons or cello lessons. They know they are never done learning. Anyone who imagines s/he's reached the top is resting on laurels.
Willa Cather has a quote about that - of course I can't find it now! But I came across some other gems from her:
If you don't keep and guard and mature your force, and above all, have time and quiet to perfect your work, you will be writing things not much better than you did five years ago.
source: - Willa Cather (1970). “Collected Short Fiction, 1892-1912”
In little towns, lives roll along so close to one another; loves and hates beat about, their wings almost touching.
source: - Willa Cather (1938). “The Novels and Stories of Willa Cather ...”
For the lady of the lake house:
The great fact in life, the always possible escape from dullness, was the lake. The sun rose out of it, the day began there; it was like an open door that nobody could shut. The land and all its dreariness could never close in on you. You had only to look at the lake, and you knew you would soon be free.
source: - Willa Cather (2002). “The Professor's House”, p.31
It has long been a tradition among novel writers that a book must end by everybody getting just what they wanted, or if the conventional happy ending was impossible, then it must be a tragedy in which one or both should die. In real life very few of us get what we want, our tragedies don't kill us, but we go on living them year after year, carrying them with us like a scar on an old wound. --Willa Cather
We come and go, but the land is always here. And the people who love it and understand it are the people who own it - for a little while.
Oh that's all gorgeous!
haha that must be why I spend so much time doing next to nothing! It helps me perfect all the other stuff that require my all!
My doing next to nothing time has been reduced though. I blog much less now. Once I started the homeopathy academy, I had no time at all to post - all I could manage was upvoting and a comment now and then.
If it hadn't been for your support back then, and that of a few other freewriters, I would have left this space long ago.
You certainly will not be bored! If you have the energy to do all of that, then go for it! I, on the other hand, probably need some homeopathic remedies so I have energy.
I have been surprising myself! I suspect just taking on so much has increased my capacity for doing even more. We will see.
My first thought for you and energy would be Sepia 200c. Try taking one dose every other day. In four or five weeks, you could very well notice a difference.