Collecting Firsts
One of my favorite ways to shift my perspective is my “Collecting Firsts" concept. it started years ago on a birthday that typically signifies a downhill trend that will decrease the quality of a person’s life from this time forward. I sighed sadly, thinking I had already done everything I would ever do.
Admittedly, I was in a rut. I had lived in the same house and town, and had the same jobs - paid and volunteer - for years. I traveled the same roads to work, read the same books, ate at the same restaurants, and served my family the same meals. Life was dull. Then I realized the limitations in my life came from my lack of creativity and imagination. Things were about to change!
Later that day, I gathered my daughters to go shopping and gave them instructions to help me buy groceries for the coming week. They were told not to put anything in the cart that we had purchased before. Papayas replaced mangos, guava paste replaced cranberry sauce, and I tried a new laundry detergent instead of the one I had used all my life. You get the idea. We laughed down every aisle as we considered new possibilities.
I continued to collect firsts. I would leave earlier and take a new way to work. I’d open the phone book to the local restaurant section (do any of you remember phone books?), close my eyes, and point to one for our next evening out. Choosing books and magazines on unfamiliar topics opened up new worlds! Listening to unfamiliar radio stations gave me new perspectives on different genres of music, as well as a broader awareness of what people were hearing on talk radios. That’s a topic for another time.
Every aspect of my life changed. I actively sought out new opportunities and possibilities. My volunteer work with the Gandhi/King Peace Coalition enabled me to travel to India to see the Taj Mahal! An author saw one of my sketches of a fish and asked me to illustrate a book to encourage children to care for their teeth. I took a course on French Gothic Architecture and was invited to go to Paris by another student.
Another first for my collection was losing my home in a flood. It turned out to be a blessing! From that experience, I moved to Baltimore, sang with the famous Ding Dongs and in the Renaissance Chorus, and met some of the most talented jazz musicians of our era. I designed, developed and delivered courses on herbs; color theory; heart to hand journaling ;and seeking the sacred in every day life. I took courses on ghosts, architecture, ballet, and numerous art history classes.
My most cherished friendships developed after that significant birthday! My passion for art, music, and travel has increased extensively! I’m continuing to actively pursue lifelong learning. My life is significantly richer than it was when I was facing my ‘over the hill’ birthday!
You are never too old, or too young, to begin your collection. I wish I had started years ago. It’s given me much more confidence to set bigger goals and take more risks. I hope you’ll embrace your creativity and courage and begin collecting your own fabulous firsts!
Admittedly, I was in a rut. I had lived in the same house and town, and had the same jobs - paid and volunteer - for years. I traveled the same roads to work, read the same books, ate at the same restaurants, and served my family the same meals. Life was dull. Then I realized the limitations in my life came from my lack of creativity and imagination. Things were about to change!
Later that day, I gathered my daughters to go shopping and gave them instructions to help me buy groceries for the coming week. They were told not to put anything in the cart that we had purchased before. Papayas replaced mangos, guava paste replaced cranberry sauce, and I tried a new laundry detergent instead of the one I had used all my life. You get the idea. We laughed down every aisle as we considered new possibilities.
I continued to collect firsts. I would leave earlier and take a new way to work. I’d open the phone book to the local restaurant section (do any of you remember phone books?), close my eyes, and point to one for our next evening out. Choosing books and magazines on unfamiliar topics opened up new worlds! Listening to unfamiliar radio stations gave me new perspectives on different genres of music, as well as a broader awareness of what people were hearing on talk radios. That’s a topic for another time.
Every aspect of my life changed. I actively sought out new opportunities and possibilities. My volunteer work with the Gandhi/King Peace Coalition enabled me to travel to India to see the Taj Mahal! An author saw one of my sketches of a fish and asked me to illustrate a book to encourage children to care for their teeth. I took a course on French Gothic Architecture and was invited to go to Paris by another student.
Another first for my collection was losing my home in a flood. It turned out to be a blessing! From that experience, I moved to Baltimore, sang with the famous Ding Dongs and in the Renaissance Chorus, and met some of the most talented jazz musicians of our era. I designed, developed and delivered courses on herbs; color theory; heart to hand journaling ;and seeking the sacred in every day life. I took courses on ghosts, architecture, ballet, and numerous art history classes.
My most cherished friendships developed after that significant birthday! My passion for art, music, and travel has increased extensively! I’m continuing to actively pursue lifelong learning. My life is significantly richer than it was when I was facing my ‘over the hill’ birthday!
You are never too old, or too young, to begin your collection. I wish I had started years ago. It’s given me much more confidence to set bigger goals and take more risks. I hope you’ll embrace your creativity and courage and begin collecting your own fabulous firsts!
A Few of my Favorite Firsts!
Singing with the Ding Dongs at the Washington Monument in Baltimore.
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Becoming a Baltimore Hon, and meeting Natty Boh at the Evening in the Stacks, a library fundraiser.
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Same and Different
This is an assessment I do on my birthday, in the fall, and around the new year. I make two columns - Same and Different. Then I fill in what is the same and what has changed since this time last year.
You’ll find blessings in both staying the same and making changes! When I do my lists, I consider my values - health (body, mind, and soul), relationships, learning and teaching, life’s work ( paid and volunteer), creativity, beauty and order, and nature.
Consider what your values are as you go through the exercise.
Give yourself credit for progress you’ve made. Too often we don’t acknowledge or celebrate our accomplishments. You may be surprised as you build your list at all the advances you’ve made! And if not, keep in mind that some years there is little growth above the surface because we are growing roots.
“Same and Different” is a great visual tool to clarify gratitude, progress, and ideas for next steps in making goals.
You’ll find blessings in both staying the same and making changes! When I do my lists, I consider my values - health (body, mind, and soul), relationships, learning and teaching, life’s work ( paid and volunteer), creativity, beauty and order, and nature.
Consider what your values are as you go through the exercise.
Give yourself credit for progress you’ve made. Too often we don’t acknowledge or celebrate our accomplishments. You may be surprised as you build your list at all the advances you’ve made! And if not, keep in mind that some years there is little growth above the surface because we are growing roots.
“Same and Different” is a great visual tool to clarify gratitude, progress, and ideas for next steps in making goals.