Happy ThanksgivingNovember 24, 2023 Thanksgiving is more than just being thankful for what we have and looking back on the good things that have happened during the year.
Psychologists have even gone so far
as to say that being thankful helps you be more joyful. It's probably because to be thankful, you have to think of what you're thankful for, which is normally good things! The whole process of remembering and reflecting on the good things that you've done or have happened to you brings joy. What's more, when we lose our capacity for vulnerability (in other words, we aren't so protective that we are willing to go new places, try new things, have new experiences - of course, this
is within reason - no hitting your head continually on a brick wall just to see what it feels like! Yikes 🤕 ), the joy becomes foreboding. The memory of the joy we experienced goes away. 😔
So what does that mean? In our sewing world, that means our inability to try new things simply because they are new, foreign, different, and even difficult ideas. It is actually trying these new things that give us great joy with what we have accomplished
and learned. Granted, the process can be fraught with trials and challenges, but in the end, there is great appreciation (an integral part of thankfulness) of what we have done and learned. That is what is meant by losing our capacity for vulnerability makes joy foreboding.
So thankfulness can not only bring us closer to what we are blessed to have but to our accomplishments that we have taken on, knowing full well that there is a chance of failure. What we learn in the process is that even if there is a failure, it comes
with something new learned and can even lead to attempting again, only this time, having learned what we have in the failure, end up succeeding.
All of this may seem like a bunch of psycho-babble and mumbo-jumbo. But from someone who is constantly trying new things, I'm always filled with joy with what I've learned, even if the result is a failure or something I can't wear or use. There has always been something I learn from it.
There is something else here, too. We may have been taught that thinking good
thoughts about ourselves, might be considered conceited or self-centered. Granted, pondering obsessively about ourselves, isn't the best way to spend our time. But it is within ourselves that we discover our own truth and worth, but also our own joy, and I don't believe we were put on this Earth to only suffer - otherwise, how could you explain the mouth-watering taste of a juicy peach, or the beauty of an exquisite sunset, or the calm of a gentle rain. So having that peaceful
joy that comes from the accomplishments of this year can be only taken as something that we give to ourselves, more as filling our tank of creativity, enthusiasm, and even curiosity. All of which give us the gumption to try again for something foreboding and possibly a step above what we might otherwise think we are capable of.
This is me these days - in my bright red jacket from my class last fall. I can't say that the jacket makes me feel this way, but it sure does
help and I'm so thankful for this jacket that does bring me great joy!
I hope you all have a joyful and thankful Thanksgiving filled with memories of your past year's accomplishments!
The SewingArtistry Resource Library is designed to contain information to not only make your sewing better, but to aid in you fitting and flattering your shape, size and style. Check it out.
Look for future classes coming in 2024
The Core Pattern Shirt, (one of my favorites for woven core pattern that you can make into a myriad of different
garments),
Basic Knit Top (core pattern class for knit basic tops, shells, tees, dresses, and tunics)
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