What Do You Just For You?

I just got home from doing something really fun, just for me! A few years ago, in a quasi mid life crisis moment, I decided I wanted to learn to play the violin. At that time, I was already forty - much too old to consider a future career as a virtuoso, but I took on the challenge. I've always loved fiddle music, so I decided that I'd focus on basic violin with an emphasis on fiddle.

Since that time, various events have conspired against my becoming the next member of the Dixie Chicks. I have been through four teachers (that's a whole new blog entry in itself), breaking up with my last teacher well over a year ago.

Somehow, this week, I decided to pick back up the bow. I haven't played in a very long time, as it always seems like there's something more important or productive I should be doing. We moms tend to do that a lot, with our lives so busy serving other people and working. Playing my violin is something I do just for me...no one else derives any benefit from it, so I've tended to just not do it.

But, the point is, I love playing. I sound really bad (practicing is a great way to get boys to go play outside), but I don't care. I'll probably never get anywhere beyond playing for my own pleasure, but I've decided now that that's reason enough to play.

So today, I had my first lesson with my new teacher. From the first time I met him, I thought he'd be a great teacher - his name is Patrick! I think that's a good omen.
Taking lessons is good for me, as it encourages me to take time to play and practice.

What do you love to do, just for you? Have you done it lately? We can make all the excuses we want, but the truth is that most of us can find an extra thirty minutes somewhere in our days to do something we love: to write, to take a walk, to garden just for the joy of it, to write a letter, to call a girlfriend, or even just to take a bath! I challenge you today to do something you love, just for you!