Sewing Is Like Living

Over the past month we have been getting ready for when the new baby arrives.

I recently went to the "Grannies for Africa" fabric sale and walked out with a box of materials that I could barely carry. It only took a few weeks, however, to convert the purchased material into a number of receiving blankets, burp rags, nursing cover ups, pillows and bath essentials.

I love to sew and am so thrilled that ten-year-old Mikaeli is just as passionate about it as I am. It is fun to watch her eagerness to stitch items for her awaited sibling.

Sewing is really a lot like living. I have been noticing the parallels.

1. First you get some ideas about what you would like to do and start planning. I liked the idea of being part of the preparation for this baby and knew that I could use my sewing skills and free time to make some practical but creative items. In life you also have to have some ideas about what you would like to do and then set out to make them into reality. There is an old expression that states "People who fail to plan, plan to fail". Don't let that be you.

2. Take an inventory. The resources that you have available will help to determine how to achieve your goals. After washing and drying all the material, I trimmed, measured and labelled each piece. That helped me to consider my options. Some fabrics were large enough for blankets or sheets whereas others would do for smaller projects. Most people never know what they have or can get to make life better unless they deliberately think about it. You likely won't need one thing to organize your office or a room in your home. Buying groceries isn't a necessity when your freezer is full. You can probably afford to improve your education if you apply for a scholarship or student loan. Consider what you already have.

3. Do some research. You can learn just about anything if you have a computer. I was amazed at how many videos and websites offer free patterns and instructional videos so that you can learn how to sew just about anything. The library is also a wonderful place to find out what you need to know in order to improve your life. And, you can always just raise a question or two when you are with friends or family in order to obtain some helpful answers.

4. Get started. Don't let fear stop you. Procrastination steals success. If you make a mistake then you will have experience! Usually once you start doing something you find that the time goes faster that you had imagined and you can quickly enjoy reality that once was merely a goal.

5. Enjoy the journey. I had lots of fun seeing how I could piece together small pieces of different fabrics so that the results would be unique and I could use up all the material. I also loved to see the reaction of my son each time that I took him a completed item. One day I said "I think this is the nicest" and was so pleased when he said "Mom, they are all nice". It will probably also be uplifting to see the projects in use once the baby arrives. In life, you need to enjoy what you do each day and feel good about what you create.

Well, you don't have to be a sewer to get the idea. No matter who you are or where you are, you can use the steps above to enhance your life. Time to begin!

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to a complimentary list of 10 Steps to Making Your Life an Adventure when you visit http://lindahancock.com

From Dr. Linda Hancock, Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker