What to Do When It’s Your Turn (and it’s always your turn) by Seth Godin is an interesting book. It’s really a challenge. He’s asking us all to put aside our fears and the need for approval, and start something.

To begin that project, to create something, to do something. He challenges us to begin—despite the fact that there are no guarantees, despite the fact that you may or may not be in the mood.

None of this matters. To begin is what matters.

I think he’s right. This website has been around for a while now, but in January I decided that I would commit to posting something every day. Up until then my posting schedule was a mash-up of starts and stops, dependent upon a rush of enthusiasm or inspiration. Posting every day hasn’t been easy. But it hasn’t been all that difficult either. Some days I struggle with what to write about, finding new people to interview, and making the time, but I’m doing it.

I’m committed.

I’m not sure why it’s different this time, but I think it has something to do with what Mr. Godin writes in his book: “Standing still is the riskiest plan of all.” I believe that. I've found standing still creates more anxiety and angst than writing every day ever does.

So if the question is “What to do when it’s your turn?” I say take it.

It’s more exciting, more interesting, and far more rewarding than sitting it out.

Innovation Day - Always a Project in Progress

For the true hobbyist, dedicated artist, innovator, and explorer, there is always a project in progress.

Today is Innovation Day and I have an idea.

A new feature for this blog: Always a Project in Progress. I found three great books at the library today and am inspired to start something new. The books include one on sewing, one about magic, and another with some sophisticated decorating, storage, and ultility projects.

I’ll select one project from each book, and talk about the next move. I want to pick just two projects, and work on them with parallel reporting. I'm optimistic that the book about taking great photos will help me document my progress.

Follow along as the projects are selected, as we gather information and materials, and talk about the challenges and discoveries we find along the way. What does it really take to get it done?

In the next post I'll list the the books pictured above.

Do come back for updates (and be sure to sign-up and join us for other announcements, too).

OK

This is a Calendar of Days post: Library Lovers' Month

The kitchen junk drawer, do you have one? I open mine daily, but if I'm honest, it's usually just to grab a rubber band or a clip. The other things I use once a month, maybe, and should probably be stored elsewhere. There are keys (for the padlock?), finger covers (I cut my finger a year ago), a pencil, a corkscrew (we have two others in another drawer), a tape measure (that's handy), scissors (I use those a lot), matches (almost never), and nail clippers. Hmmmm, time to rethink the junk drawer. Marie Kondo says we don't need a junk drawer. I think she's right.

Marie Kondo is the author of the wildly popular book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. It's a little book with a big message: less is more. And her technique for deciding what to keep and what to toss (or donate or give away) is inspiring. Ask yourself one simple question: does it spark joy?

If less clutter and less stuff leave space for more joy, I'm in.

This is a Calendar of Days post: Get Organized Month

January is Soup Month, and as I researched this post, I came across this proverb. It caught my attention because it made me think of how often we hold off pursuing something until we have everything we think we need to start (or finish).

Good manners dictate that we eat soup with a spoon, but you can also slurp it from the bowl. It may be less dignified and even messy, but it won't affect the flavor of the soup.

Today is World Dream Day . . . take a look at the site that celebrates our dreams and you'll find more ways to take action.

Finding a way to make it happen.

Dreams of course come in all sizes. Most start with just a whisper or a passing thought. Some come and go. But when there's something that won't let go, don't ignore it!

It might seem impossible, but it doesn't have to be.

I like to read, and I read a lot of how-to books, and the message that runs through almost every one of them is the same: start.

Whatever it is that you're dreaming of, get started. Because taking action is where your dream will begin to take shape. Research, reading, and thinking are helpful, but taking some sort of action is the best way to get things going.

It's all in the doing.

One of my dreams has been to create a format where I can share my enthusiasm for hobbies, passions, and pastimes, because I believe they have the power to lift us from boredom, sadness, and loneliness; introduce us to new people and places; to discover new talents; and inspire a more creative and interesting life. My dream became Assembly of Grand Pursuits . . . it's a dream that continues to change, grow, and evolve.

I started to make progress with this website after reading Show Your Work by Austin Kleon. One illustration is where things changed for me. He talks about writing a blog. It was an overwhelming and daunting concept for me, and his illustration simplified the process: you get results by doing—one step at a time. And then over time, you have creating something. It's the same whether you want to make something, go somewhere, or learn something.

Plot your course, break it into smaller tasks, and tackle them one by one, day by day. It's deceptively simple, and it works.

Much like savings, or taking a course: with each class or deposit, little by little, step by step, you create and build something. It also generates new ideas and new thoughts. But it only happens when you get going, get your hands dirty, and get out. So let's get going. It may not be easy, but from my experience, I can say, it's worth it.

Last week I walked into a hobby shop to talk with the staff about kits and model making. I'd been thinking about it for a week or two, but kept finding ways to put it off.  It's still hard for me to pick-up the phone, to walk into a shop, to start a conversation. But once I do it, it's exhilarating.

I learned about kits and models for airplanes, trains, sailboats, motorboats, dollhouses, helicopters, and drones! I learned dollhouse kits are popular with men who want to build them for their kids (girls and boys) and that they are available as two-story Victorians and log cabins. I learned you can get a boat building kit for the Titanic, the USS Constitution, or a Maine lobster boat. I learned you can build a radio-controlled model plane that can tow a glider plane into the air where it can be released to follow thermal wind currents for lifts and spirals.

It was all so interesting, I wished I had done it sooner.

And blog posts? Same thing. I start and stop, worrying if I can make it interesting. Is it too short? Too long? Will I find a good image to go with it? But once I begin, the ideas bubble up.

Ideas that I would never have considered if I hadn't  . . . started.

We'd love to hear how you get started and what you're working on. Leave a comment!

Whether you bake or not, there's great truth in that sentence.

Struggles. We all have them. Finding a way out, or at least some relief, can sometimes be the biggest challenge of all.

Ruth Reichl's new book "My Kitchen Year: 136 Recipes That Saved My Life," due out later this month is a response to losing her long-time job as food editor at Gourmet magazine which closed after a 69-year run. It's a story of loss and finding a way back. Get the cake recipe here and read the full article about Reichl in The New York Times here. 

I get it. My go-to recipe is oatmeal cookies . . . I like them with raisins, nuts, and chocolate chips. My husband prefers the classic oatmeal raisin.

It's in the gathering of ingredients, mixing, baking, and then sharing my baked goods that I find relief. And my go-to recipe is Quaker Oats Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (though I do prefer to leave out the cinnamon). 

If you're interested in giving it a go, the recipe is printed under the lid . . . you can lift the lid in the store without breaking the seal, check the ingredients, grab what you need, and go home and bake. Brilliant packaging.

Relief is not confined to the kitchen. You might prefer setting out on a bicycle, or knitting, treasure hunting, or baking a chocolate cake or a batch of cookies. Relief is found in the doing.

Focus on one thing or mix it up, but whatever you do, find the power of pursuits.

And if you want the recipe for Mexican Hot-Chocolate Cookies pictured above, here it is!

Today is Make Your Bed Day.
If you're wondering whether or not it's worth it, listen to Admiral McRaven's reasons why it's a good idea. It's a short and amusing video.

And yes, I do make my bed. It started when my grandparents moved from Chicago to live downstairs from us in a new two-family home on the east coast. One day my sister and I came home from school to find our beds with new sheets, pillows, and blankets. It was particularly noticeable because at that point we NEVER made our beds. What a wonderful surprise. I was so smitten with the new look of my bed (and my Grandmother's sweet gift) I was proud to make it every day.

Even today, when I change the sheets, I think of my Grandmother . . . thanks Grandma!

Do you make your bed? Tell us why in the comments below.

Here's your calendar for the week ahead. What will you do this week?

Follow our calendar day by day, or jump ahead.
Here are links to a few of our favorite pursuits this week:
ROALD DAHL DAY - Visit your local library and revisit or discover these Dahlicious stories!
DOT DAY - Discover ways to make your mark!