Firsts

Until I talked to Gina earlier yesterday, I didn't realize that some people, while they are not devoted bloggers themselves, depend upon me to be that dedicated blogger in their lives. I guess you could say they depend on my insight and witty banter to get them through the day. Not to mention my superlative grasp of grammar and humor. So, back by popular demand, here I go again (even though, No Gina, it has not been a week since I posted last...nerd. I love you, but you're a nerd! But so I am, and look how well I am doing with it. It's the only reason I have friends. Just ask Gwen, she only likes nerds.) Getting back on track, if you are one of those who think I blog too much, just don't read this post, it's not for you anyway... :P (I heard that's how you make a smiley face sticking out it's tongue! If it is, Go me! If not, now you get the effect I was going for.)
Now for my real post:
I used a weed whacker yesterday. All by myself. Now I know most of you are saying "so..." But I'd never done it before, it was a first. And, not only was it a first, it was something I always wanted to be able to do (No, I don't know why....I just did. A right of passage you might say.) Anyway, I did it. And, I can't see what the big deal was, it's not like it's hard. Anyone could do it. And now, I can, so I guess that describes my skill level. But I've done it, and I can do it (albeit I'm not an expert, but who is?) and that excites me.
I have to chalk my excitement for new things up to my dad. He was always showing us by example that even the day to day "mundane" things are actually opportunities to learn. I give my desire, thirst, and excitement for new knowledge to my father, and it is a great blessing in my life. He always taught me, you'll never know if you don't like it unless you try. Also, how do you know it's the best if you haven't explored/researched the other options. Don't get me wrong, certain things with my dad are just wrong because their wrong (I'm the same way, I've never had a desire to try something that I didn't believe was right, just so I could compare. That's stupidity, not knowledge) and certain ways about doing things with my dad are the best way to do them just because they are his way....which sad to say, much like my husband, my father is rarely ever wrong, so most times they are the best way. (I'm not saying that sarcastically, I'm saying it with all sincerity and admiration.)
So, as odd as it sounds, I guess my desire to learn how to use a weed-whacker came from my dad. There is so much in this life that I don't know how to do, and while I always get odd looks for my desire to learn how to move pipe, or milk cows, I just can't help it. They are things I've never done and so there is an inner tugging at me, a tug for knowledge that pushes me towards asking questions, asking to participate, picking someones brain until they are so sick of me they're going to scream. There are no ulterior motives, I just want to know/experience.
There is so much to learn in life; true, you learn a lot just from going about your life, but can't you also agree that there is a lot you will never learn if you don't put yourself out there and ask questions, learn from those who know more than you. (heaven knows, I know very little about very little - but the good thing is, knowledge is free, it's limitations are only set by me) Not only that, but allow yourself the confidence that you can do anything, you can learn whatever it is you want to learn, nothing is holding you back except you. Even though you aren't a dairy farmer, a contractor, a teacher, a physicist or whatever, that doesn't mean you can't learn about those things. It also means, that others shouldn't hold you back or scoff at you for an interest in something that "doesn't apply to you". Go for it! Ask questions! Try something new, or even something old and "mundane" that you've never done. If not for anything else than to be able to say to yourself, I can do that, or I've done that, or I know about that. TRY. LEARN. GROW. Have firsts.
Thanks Dad.