Getting Off My Duff

Toward the end of last year I began to feel somewhat stale and bored. Things were going well at home and with the family. We were recently back from a great two-month RV trip to the upper Midwest. But, my days had fallen into a routine that I didn't like. The stimulation of new activities and challenges was missing. In the post, Time to Come Clean, I detailed my feelings. 

Your response was overwhelming. That post generated more feedback than anything I have written in almost 5 years of blogging. Along with a few comments that wondered what I was complaining about, the bulk of the suggestions, support, and ideas were very positive and helpful. I began to play with some ideas and ways of shaking things up.

Less than two weeks after that Betty and I joined friends Mike and Tamara Reddy at the Palm Springs Film Festival for a tremendously creative and fun-packed 5 days. Maybe that was the final push I needed to move forward. Since then I have been experiencing all the newness I craved. 

In early January I began twice a week Tai Chi lessons. The simple, low impact, and slow movements are perfect for improving my balance and flexibility. I am forcing myself to learn something completely new, and being a stumbling amateur in front of others - something I generally shy away from. The people are a nice bunch and totally accepting of beginners like me.

If I am lucky mine will look like this!

A few weeks ago Betty and I took a ceramics class together. Again, this was something I had never attempted before. Betty cautioned me to avoid the potter's wheel and attempting to turn a lump of clay into a bowl or vase since that takes quite a bit of experience and practice. But, she felt I would enjoy shaping a simple plate and spoon holder. In fact, I did, and it was fun to work alongside Betty who has done pottery before. We go back next week to glaze the final products and bring them home.

Then, last week, we attended a fascinating presentation at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts: Around the World in 80 minutes. An organization, ProMusica Arizona, is a group of nearly 100 singers and musicians who have performed 150 shows over the past eleven years. The premise for the show we attended was simple: seven different styles of music from seven different countries would be presented in 20 minute, mini-concerts, over an 80 minute period. Ticket holders pick four of the seven and rotate between venues to hear each performance.

Betty and I listened to a 60 person chorale sing beautiful South African music in the Zulu language. That was followed by a women's ensemble singing songs of Scandinavia. After a short intermission we thoroughly enjoyed a trio playing Chinese melodies, and wrapped up the afternoon with a men's group singing songs of the British Isles. 

German music played by a brass group, a full symphonic performance of Russian music, and a jazz combo with music from Brazil were also being offered, but limited to four choices, we can only guess they were every bit as good as what we heard. 

A final performance of the entire Chorale and Orchestra sent us home after a moving version of Let There Be Peace on Earth. The entire experience was tremendous. If it is ever repeated we will be the first in line to buy tickets.

On top of these activities I am taking three on-line courses: making the most of social media contacts and opportunities, an introduction to American Law, and one to help me stimulate my creativity.

I feel comfortable in saying my dip in energy and enthusiasm is past. I am off my duff and having a truly satisfying retirement again. I am living my word for this year: move, and it feels good.