I was watching a children’s show with my daughter the other day called “Little Bill”. It’s a cartoon created by Bill Cosby about an inquisitive little 5-year-old boy.
In the episode we were watching, it was a rainy day and Little Bill was restless. He wanted someone to play with him but everyone was doing something else. His Mom was cleaning her camera, his Dad was listening to his jazz records and his great-grandmother was knitting. When Little Bill questioned his great-grandmother about what she was doing she told him that knitting was her “thing”. She said, “When you find your thing, you’ll feel like you’ve discovered your very own treasure.” Through the course of the show, Little Bill discovers that he loves to make up stories and has therefore found his “thing”.
For some reason, the message of this little show has stuck with me. It’s a whimsical children’s show but I believe that the message is pretty profound for children and adults alike. I believe that finding your “thing” is such an important part of a happy life. That thing that makes you feel good, that makes you feel content and well and productive. It’s that thing you do with every free minute you have. I think we all have some form of a “thing” even if we don’t totally realize it.
A few weeks ago, a friend of mine came over for dinner with her husband and her kids. About halfway through the night, my friend’s husband asked, “So D, how’s the art going?” I was just about to give him the standard small talk answer, something like “Oh it’s great” when instead I suddenly said “It’s been terrible lately. I haven’t had any time to paint and that makes me grumpy and irritable”.
I immediately felt as though I had given him more information than he had bargained for. But to my surprise, he paused for a moment, his expression changed and he said “I know exactly what you mean. I feel the same way when I don’t have time to golf.”
I realized in that moment that making time for the thing you love is important to all of us. It’s not just artists who are passionate about what they love to do, everyone has that inner drive to feed their soul in whatever way feels natural. My husband Greg loves to run. He runs every day. He will run with weights on, he’ll run in the rain, he’ll run in 90% humidity, he’ll run on vacation. It’s something that I know he needs to do. It’s definitely his thing.
It might feel selfish to go off alone and do your “thing’, but it’s actually a wonderful way to care for yourself. And caring for yourself is the most important thing you can do before you’re able to care for anyone else. I’ve learned the hard way that giving myself time to pursue my passion makes me a happier, calmer and more cheerful person. And a better mother.
So, what’s your thing? How do you feel when you don’t make time for it? I’d love you to share in the comments.
C and I were just recently having this exact conversation… going from the prompt of if I don’t do this thing I feel icky, then it is for sure running and writing. of which I need to do more of
Just do it
So true Deanne, you do have to care for yourself, before you can care for anyone else. I have learned that the hard way!! “My thing” is when I spend quality time with my son, Ralph’s girls and the grandkids. When we go visit them or if they just stop by the house for 10 min. I feel good. It makes me in a good mood!!
You’re right, quality time is so important!
I relate to this post on so many levels. I am finding that maybe there is more than one thing. Because I am like Greg, I run. I run on my days off. I run when my kids are sleeping. I run when I am on a cruise in the middle of the bluest sea I have ever seen. But I also have days that running isn’t all I need. I need something else and that is my camera. Because without the two of them I am a mess. A BITCHY mess. I am crazy, yelling at the kids for no reason and just out of sorts. And I realize it is because I haven’t done either one of my “things”. So insightful! Thanks for validating those feelings that I think a lot of us have.
Sounds like we are very much alike Jessica!
I found my passion late in life- trying on wedding dresses!
Heehee
It’s not the year of the martyr, so why shouldn’t someone do their thing? My thing is writing which is much better than my other thing–watching TV. I also like to bead, sew, garden, play games, and so many other things. Thanks for the post.
Thanks for reading Sheila!
My dear sister, you are so insightful! You always make think. I have many “thing”. It seems like always have some kind of project going. Especially remodeling! When I’m almost finished with one I’m already planning the next. I think it keeps me grounded. Or I would be doing something crazy like planning a trip to Katmandu because I like the name. Come to think of it I would like to go to Katmandu……..
Going to Katmandu… that’s what I like about you Rub! Always doing your thing!
wonderful post…inspired me to think.
I think “my thing” is a floater….several things,
as long as I’m creating.
So maybe creating is my thing?
i don’t exactly know but I love that “this lights me up” feeling
and got a giggle inside just reading about it here….thanks:)
-Jennifer
I love your poetic posts Jennifer. Thanks for always reading!
When I don’t make time for what I love, I definitely feel irritable and low. It took me several years to discover what I call my “heart’s true path,” and I’m so grateful to have found my “thing!” Thanks for this post, DeAnne. I loved reading about the honest exchange between you & the golfer.