For the first time in my life, my head was in the clouds–and I was completely okay with it.
Shaking. Palms sweating. Thoughts racing through my mind. I don’t usually get nervous, but moments before lifting off the ground in a small airplane–that I was piloting, nerves suddenly were flowing through my veins. My adrenaline pumped, and I could feel my heart beating straight out of my chest. There was no looking back now–I was about to pilot a plane…and that’s freaking awesome.
As I felt the plane leave the ground, I stayed focused on the details my co-pilot/instructor, Nicholas had told me: When it reaches 60, pull back a bit, stop, and stay still.
Golden.
Now reaching peak altitude, I took a moment to look out the window and take in the view of the beach, the neighborhood houses, and the open sky ahead. I smiled–a big wide grin like the cheshire cat. I was flying a plane–I was really flying a plane. It was a symbol of something much larger though for me. I was really making things happen. I AM making things happen–and that’s what this year is all about: No fear. No looking back. No hesitation. I was–and still am–on top of the world.
I am pretty sure my mother and I should have our own talk show called Pillo—I mean Patio Talk.
I’ve never been good at building things with my hands–especially those Ikea shelves, dressers, and desks. Consistently, without fail, I will normally buy a structure to build, pull out all the pieces, place them nicely on the floor, and then run screaming for help. Fortunately, in college my roommates were often able to help me. For building the birdhouse, it was just Mom and Me–the perfect Mother’s Day treat for her, and the perfect hobby of the week for me.
I’m afraid that we often forget how important it is that we play–how important it is that we escape from the daily rush and harsh moments are routine days. We forget that the world ran well enough long before our coffee addiction began. We forget that we are allowed to really act out on all our childhood fantasies.
And most of all: We forget to have fun.
Jedi training was the perfect escape from the routine day. From the work worries. From the stressful inconsistencies of life.
In fact, the moment I turned on the saber, I was in the zone–I mean, I was really in the zone.
Disclaimer: So while it may not officially be the hobby of the week, it definitely was a Hobby Hoarder thing to do. Normally, when I am itching for a change, I buy a plane ticket and country or state hop soon after. With a full-time job, this time around, I had to choose something more quick and more accessible. Dying my hair felt like the right choice. Guess I’ll really find out if blondes have more fun. Stay tuned for another hobby later this week. But for now: Enjoy.
The Hobby Hoarder 