When my kids were young and complained that they were bored, my standard comeback was, “It’s because you’re boring.” Maybe it sounds a bit harsh, but I grew up in an age when there were no computers or cell phones. A tablet was a pad of paper to jot down notes and Cable T.V. was a luxury my parents couldn’t afford.
And yet, I don’t remember ever being bored. There were books to read, stories to write, and adventures to experience—which got me into more than one scrape alongside my brother.
I haven’t changed much over the years, except now I’m a little wiser and, therefore more cautious when it comes to adventures.
But I’ve always had a thirst for learning new things, whether it’s texturing the interior walls of my house, learning how to play the piano, putting together a dollhouse kit (and powering it with electricity), or starting a greenhouse garden. This is my kind of adventure.
However, I admit to having qualms about launching into self-publishing and all it entails. I love to learn, but I am also fearful of failure. You can’t have one without the possibility of the other.
It’s a real shame, though, if we let fear hold us back, don’t you think?
Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” The apostle Paul wasn’t speaking about hobbies here, but any ministry we launch into requires learning new skills. We don’t grow in comfort. It’s facing and conquering challenges that are a test of our character.
Is there anything you’ve been itching to learn but hesitant to try? Let me see if I can encourage you to take a risk. There are so many benefits to trying new things.
- Increased confidence: When successful at acquiring new skills, we feel a sense of accomplishment, which also pumps up our confidence and self-esteem. I realize the fear of failure (which I am prone to suffer) can have an adverse effect, but that’s where perseverance comes into play. Thomas Edison said, “Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” For more quotes on perseverance, click here.
- Improved cognitive function: Who can’t use a little brain boost? A new learning activity stimulates the brain which improves memory and problem-solving skills. Consider learning a new game. I tend to gravitate toward word games (big surprise, huh?) or Sudoku. It requires focused thinking for short periods. It’s like weightlifting for my mind.
- Brain health: This isn’t the same as cognitive function, although they both engage the brain. It is believed that continuous learning can create new neural connections—the communication synapses in the brain. I’m not scientifically minded, but if you want to know more, check out this article. I understand the adage, “If you don’t use it, you will lose it.” Learning a new language, for example, gets our noggins firing in a whole new way.
- Reduced boredom: Truth! If we focus on learning new and wondrous things, we won’t have time to be bored. Even if you don’t have hours to delve into something deep (and who does?), consider learning to play an instrument. Even fifteen minutes a day can offer tremendous growth.
One of the motivations for me to master new skills is to save money. You can learn virtually anything on YouTube these days. When I wanted to replace the old toilets in my previous house, I studied videos and learned how to install the new ones myself. When I decided to add pizzazz to the walls, I checked out a couple of YouTube channels on texturizing walls and got good enough that a contractor offered to hire me. And honestly, it was so much easier than I’d expected.
Consider a hobby you’ve always wanted to learn and go for it. Years ago, I got it into my head that I wanted to learn how to knit. I started slow—lots and lots of scarves. Then a friend who is an advanced knitter (and spinner) told me it was time for a challenge. She handed me a pattern for a man’s sweater. It was in the round, so there wouldn’t be any pesky seams.
Of course, Chris was all for it. He chose a dark gray, merino wool/alpaca blend yarn. It took me three years to finish it, because every time I hit a snag (which was often),
I needed to meet with my friend to get some direction. But I finally got it done. Chris put it on, and although it fit perfectly across his chest and down his arms, it was too long.
“Can’t you make it shorter?” he asked. As if it was that simple. You can see from the picture that it wasn’t an easy fix. This was another unique skill I needed to learn. Because I had just started working in his office full time, it took another couple of years to “make it shorter.” I was determined to finish what I’d started. And it’s beautiful—although not perfect.
I definitely learned perseverance through that project. We only fail when we stop trying! Winners never quit, and quitters never win. It’s a cliché for a reason.
If Thomas Edison had given up on inventing the lightbulb after 999 failures, we’d still be using candlelight.
Michael Jordan didn’t make the junior varsity team in high school, which drove him to work harder.
Henry Ford’s famous quote, “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently,” came from experience.
Alexander Graham Bell stumbled through mistakes for ten years to make his idea a reality. What would we ever do without telephones?
Albert Einstein is considered one of the most brilliant people of all time. Did you know he didn’t even speak until he was four? He struggled so much in college, that he almost quit. Without any idea what to do with his life, he could have easily slipped into obscurity. But he persevered.
And the rest is history.
Imagine how much easier it is to learn a new skill than what these historical figures faced. I like to say I’m a Jill of all trades, a master of none. Even with my type-A personality, I’ve come to accept imperfections. It’s the joy of learning, being creative, and challenging ourselves that brings depth to our lives.
So, what’s next for you?
For a chance to win the ebook version of Illusions, Book Two of my Apple Hill Series, let me know in the comments below. And if you already have this novel, you can gift it to someone else!
