Sunday Reflection-In Search Of
From 1976 to 1982, Leonard Nimoy hosted a television show called ‘In Search Of…™ exploring various mysteries. And so the show started with this disclaimer, ‘This series presents information based in part on theory and conjecture. The producer’s purpose is to suggest some possible explanations, but not necessarily the only ones to the mysteries we will examine.’ And so, with similar disclaimer, I search for ‘the thing’.
I truly envy those people who have found their ‘thing.’ A friend, after taking a course in life coaching, made the declaration that she had finally found her thing. All of the tumblers in life’s lock lined up with this particular ‘key’ and it clicked with her. Likewise, when Fibre-Friend-Holly took up spinning she, too, found her ‘thing’, although I think she’s got a lot of ‘things,’ many areas where she excels.
So, the natural question I ask myself is: what is my thing?
But, no. As much as I enjoy every one of these activities, I cannot say that any one of them is ‘my thing’….that endeavor which centres me, providing ultimate satisfaction that cannot be found in other activities.
So am I to go through life ‘thing-less’, Jack-Of-All-Trades-Master-Of-None, destined to be a dabbler?
Well, yes.
And is that bad?
Well, no.
I like the challenge of learning new things, previous ignorance being replaced by new understanding, even if the understanding is limited.
And so I reconcile myself to never being a master knitter, weaver, spinner, dyer or coffee barista. I will never have a small holdings where our family lives entirely off-the-grid. I doubt that I will ever earn an advanced degree in any field of study. But ya know, I will enjoy unlocking the mysteries of life as I come upon them. And such a renaissance view to being ‘thingless’ may indeed be ‘my thing.’
Well said.
24 Sep 2006 at 1:12 pm
Ah, so learning is your thing.
25 Sep 2006 at 2:26 am
I guess that we are cut from the same cloth. I have often wished that I could find my “calling”. I have often said that my parents named me well. Jack(ie) if all trades, master of none. Although, I have to say that I’m getting pretty good at some of them.
03 Oct 2006 at 11:15 pm
I don’t know whether you will even see this late post but I have discovered you through your fab Knitty pattern. I too am a “Jackie of all trades…” and, at almost fifty, have come to terms with it. I like the way Leigh put it, “learning is your thing.”
10 Dec 2007 at 7:00 pm