Committing to it

In the age of ubiquitous information it's easy to be distracted by possibilities. There is always a new hobby to learn, or a new sub-hobby of the hobby you have. I take great pleasure in this, and all the moreso when the disciplines can be combined. Sewing bags to hold gear on my bicycle? Why not add some 3D printed hardware? The possibilities are endless! We live in a time of such plenty that it really is possible to explore endlessly.

I want to experience the joy of learning new things, but I also want the joy of knowing and developing skills deeply. There is a contradiction here!

I am also truly lucky to be able to entertain thoughts like this these days. There is plenty for some, but many people are caught in the struggles of poverty, warfare, and oppression. If we are going to enjoy the fruits of prosperity, the luxury of time and space to persue things for their own sake, we also have a duty to do so responsibly. We have a duty to share that luxury with the community.

As an aside: That is why I am so excited to have joined my local maker space. It is in the spirit of community that people can come together, to pool their resources and learn new things together, that maker spaces are conceived. It's such a great and obvious idea – the tools one person might need on occasion can be shared by everyone. Even better, it's an environment where someone can show you how to use the tool, and you can learn together. Maker spaces can be a hub in their community, bringing that joy of discovery and creation to more people.

So I want to re-commit to my core hobbies and practices instead of spreading myself too thin with new trends:

• Running regularly. This is a core one for me.
• Biking when I can, driving when I have to.
• Reading books instead of social media.
• Taking the best photos I can with the cameras I have.
• Sewing a few things when I could vegetate on the couch.
• Tending to this and other digital gardens, in ways that serve me and my community.

Of course I will always be keeping an eye on what's new. But not just "New for New's sake".