The Year of the Ukulele


The other day, I left a comment on a blog post stating that I like learning a new skill each year. I don't always do it but am happier when I do. Aside from encouraging healthy brain stimulation, learning a new skill gives life a richer meaning.



I think because I work in the public education world that I notice discussions regarding skilled trade versus college degreed jobs. I'm here to say they are both needed and neither is better than the other. However, I've seen trends in past years where students were encouraged to follow the college path over a trade career. Now we're finding in the U.S. that we have a whole bunch of skilled baby boomers leaving jobs  and no one to fill those jobs. Add to that dilemma the numerous college graduates with debt who cannot find employment, in their related field.

It's a real problem.

Skills are great to own. Useful. Handy.

Now back to me. (You knew that was coming, admit it!)

Some years, I forget about adding a new skill to the collection. Or I work on a skill for awhile then watch the dream ride into the sunset without me. The first skills I learned were self-taught. At 13 or 14, I taught myself how to sew a seam. At the age of 16 or 17, I taught myself to play the guitar. I still can't read music, though.

Out of necessity or fun, I have self-taught:
  • better gardening skills (currently doing this again);
  • how to use power tools (i.e., saws, drill, sander);
  • how to change the oil in my riding mower;
  • to rewire lamps;
  • to tile;
  • how to build bookshelves;
  • dog grooming (SO LOUSY at this one);
  • and how to reupholster chairs.
This is the year of the Ukulele. It is now May and the Ukulele is still at the store.

T.

 Is there a new skill you would you like to learn?
 



Comments

So many.
I would like to be able to tile.
There is always room for improvement in the skills I have some grasp of (but no expertise) as well.
Hi Teresa - it's a good goal to have ... I'm so unmusical - I'd have to leave music out of the choices. Actually a good one would be to learn a poem a day - apparently it helps with dementia ... but could, I guess, also be a song - that help two ways. Good luck and that yard work is still around ... while poor Millie - she needs that extra grooming?! Cheers Hilary
nashvillecats2 said…
Hope you achieve your goal.

Yvonne.
I've been trying to brush up on my college French and learn Spanish. But my brain is not cooperating! I used to be so good at languages, groan!

I like the way you list the things you're learning...all sorts of things. I should do that.

Totally agree about the need for a focus on trade jobs for some students. I remember there was a trade high school when I was growing up (auto mechanics, beauty salon, etc.) and that it ended up closing and those kids weren't being served well by the community.
That is a unique instrument to learn!
At my job, there is always downtime and I used that to learn a new program or something new within a program.
I lost the calluses on my fingertips that are essential for me to take back up the Spanish guitar. I just have to content myself with listening to Jesse Cook. :-) I took up bookkeeping for my book store. I get up 15 minutes early each day to teach myself something new each year like Renaissance Politics, how Nazism could overtake Germany (modern parallels are too unsettling with that!), World economics ... again scary! With this new instrument learned, you could travel to Hawaii and be the belle of luau's! :-)
Mason Canyon said…
I like the idea of learning a new skill. I can't play a musical instrument, but I'd love to. Be sure to do a video when you're learning to play the ukulele so we can follow along.
Jade said…
I remember trying to teach myself to play guitar as a preteen, but then I felt more interested in writing poetry. Have fun with the ukulele! Music is healing.
kotanopan.com said…
I hope, I hope you succeed with your ukulele, :)

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