My mom taught me to sew when I was in the fifth grade. And
for the next 30 years, I sewed something almost every day. During that time I
had a baby quilt business and also designed and manufactured my own line of children’s
clothing. Most days you’d find me walking around the house wearing a tape
measure as if it were a necklace.
These days I don’t sew very often, so yesterday when I made
new cushion covers for a wicker chair, I noticed how good it felt to have a tape
measure around my neck. I sensed I was
returning to a familiar activity that brings great satisfaction. I was
rediscovering the simple pleasure of sewing.
Retirement is a perfect time to learn new skills and explore
different interests and hobbies. And it’s also a time to return to what you
know—especially if you feel like everything has changed. This was the case for
Ruth Reichl, former Editor in Chief of Gourmet
magazine, a role she held for 10 years until the magazine came to an abrupt
closing in 2009.
In her book, My
Kitchen Year: 136 Recipes that Save My Life, Reichl writes, “My kitchen
year started in time of trouble, but it taught me a great deal. When I went
back to cooking I rediscovered simple pleasures, and as I began to appreciate
the world around me, I learned that the secret to life is finding joy in
ordinary things.”
As you work to create a meaningful retirement, remember what
used to bring joy and satisfaction. Then go do more of that.
Copyright 2019. Patrice Jenkins. All Rights Reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment