Day 88: Learning Talents of Old

What: Learning talents of old

Why: Do you have dreams of learning to crochet, knit, darn socks, sew, or even cross stitch? I realize that some of these skills are past their prime and they may not be as useful as they once were. Is that desire still there, though? Do you look at that afghan laying on your couch and wish you could do the same? We all make up excuses as to why we don’t have time to learn the talents of old – skills that get passed down from generation to generation. Do you pour through etsy.com, wishing you could make the same thing? You can! Trust me, you can! Just like anything in life, it takes time to learn.

How:
1. Decide what skill of old you would like to learn.

2. Find someone who knows how and ask if they would be willing to teach you. If you have a grandparent or parent who knows how, know that it will not only be the skill you are learning, but the relationship you are building as well. If you do not have someone who can teach you, head to your local library or www.youtube.com to teach yourself.

3. Buy the appropriate “tools” for the skill. If someone is teaching you, ask if they have any extra needles, yarn, hooks, etc. lying around that you could borrow. There is a little danger in buying everything needed for a certain skill – if you start to learn and do not enjoy it, then you are stuck with all of the supplies. It is easy to fall in love with the idea of doing a certain skill, instead of doing the skill itself.

4. Take the time to sit down, enjoy the company of others (sit down with the person who taught you), and perfect your newly learned skill! Do not be timid. It may take a little while to learn. Once you do get the hang of it, realize that it is a skill that you will be able to pass on to the next generation!

5. Be patient – like any skill, it takes time to learn.

Confession of the Day: I had a desire to learn to crochet and knit since I was in high school. I knew if I did not take the time to learn, I never would. That is when I called up my Grandma and asked her to teach me. Crocheting is something I am now passionate about – but even more so, I treasure the time I spent sitting in my Grandma’s living room, just chatting away about life. The lessons I have learned from her are more valuable than the crocheting itself. I now can take what I have learned about life AND crocheting, and pass it on to future generations. I now crochet afghans and baby blankets as gifts. Because my Grandma was willing to take the time teach me, I now have a hobby I absolutely love. Living with less means treasuring the things in life than can not be measured. Crocheting was the tool that brought me closer to my Grandma. What do you want to learn, that you could ask your grandma to teach you? Don’t live in regret of not asking her when the chance is gone. Think about talents/skills YOU want to pass on to others – don’t let your talents go to waste!

What skills do you want to learn? How do you plan on learning them? Has a family member taken the time to teach you? I would love to hear your story! Please comment below or send me an email about how someone has taken the time to teach you and what you have learned from it.