So .. last month I was feeling a little bored, and in need of a creative kick-start. Admittedly, as a list maker, I always have something going on. Too much time on my hands is .. too much time on my hands. I knew that I didn’t want to pursue anything “serious,” I just wanted to take a class for the fun of it. I did a little sleuthing and stumbled across a blogging workshop being offered through the local adult education program. Perfect! Situated right around the corner from my office, it was a one day, one shot deal, not requiring a major time commitment on my part. Never having blogged, I thought this might be a fun way to learn the ropes and, for $35, why not give it a go?
Driving up to the class that night, I was suddenly overcome by nerves. I am usually very calm, very confident, and very much in control. Not then. All I kept thinking was: what if I don’t understand it? What if all the people there are experienced writers? What if I have nothing to offer?
I entered the classroom, glanced around, and made eye contact with several people. Everyone found their respective seat and sat politely as we waited for the instructor to setup her materials and begin.
The class started, some of the information went over my head but most of it, I got. Quite a bit of it I could relate to. Then .. something shifted. I started having fun. I relaxed. I found myself offering information, showing others shortcuts. I laughed and exchanged observations with a young woman seated across from me, who gave me a sly smile that said, “I got it, I get you, we’re good.”
The class ended, and a few of us lingered to talk with the instructor, share observations and exchange contact information. The woman across from me? That’s Terri and we met for lunch yesterday. She’s warm, smart and interesting. The instructor, Sheryl? Accomplished, approachable, and a veritable cheerleader, who sends me emails of encouragement on a regular basis.
I don’t know if others will follow what I write here or not. I hope they will, but, if they don’t that’s ok, too. I set off to find something new and interesting to do… and instead I met some interesting people who gave me new things to think about.
Life. It’s like that.
