38 Comments

I want to give playing the hand drum another go along with organizing a drum circle in my area. Today, I signed up for a two-hour virtual drum circle that will be held later this month. I hope that will give me good time to get my arms and hands back in shape. Along the way with the Joy Experiment, I want to learn to sharpen kitchen knives.

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Wow, Juel! That is amazing! I can't wait for updates on how it's coming along! Cheers! 🪘

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My husband and I are talking about picking up skating again. I was never a good skater - always awkward and clumsy on skates. The last time I had a pair of skates on, I was in my late 20s and we were skating on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa with our year old baby in tow on a sled. Now I'm 68 and it feels a bit more daunting. But why not?

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I would have thought, since you curl, that you skate too? Tells you how much I know about curling 😂

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I’ve been interested in making documentary film, for a long time, but have felt overwhelmed by it as a complete newbie. The other day I came across 60 Second Docs and thought THAT’s it! I’d love to make super short form documentaries about interesting people. I love the discipline and creativity that would be needed to tell a story in short form.

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Ooh, I love this! Short docs are like storytelling sprints—fast, focused, and full of energy. Just like you! 🤗

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Thanks for doing this Lou! My first idea is to write a children's book. I've had that in my head for years, but fear and insecurity have always stopped me, and it was towards the idea of making money. This is different now! Now I just want to have fun with playing with words and pictures and ideas. 😊

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I hear you! Whenever I think of a project as potentially revenue-generating, all the inner voices in my head start chiming in. 😂 I can imagine a kindness book for kids! Oooh - I'd love to see that. I remember listening to a podcast episode once about this writer who published a "children's book" for adults. If you're interested, I'll look for it and send the link to you. (Oh geez, here I am running away with someone else's dreams! I get this way sometimes. LOL)

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I would love to have that link! And you're not running away with it, you're running with me! 💞

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Here's the link to the podcast episode. The author's name is Sabrina Moyle. She writes children's books, but the children's book for adults is called "Escargot For It." https://pod.link/1546561845/episode/53dc83230ccae60fa4da8ce66a04240e

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Thanks, Lou! 💖

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At 57, I started a creative writing MFA. I had little idea how much of a "newbie" I was!! Writing is where I'm putting all my learning focus for now, but if I'm lucky enough to have the time, I'd dive into guitar (and singing!😅) lessons.

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Sweet! You're doing what was on my bucket list for a long time - doing the creative writing MFA. I'm so envious! Singing is on my list of things I want to do in the Joy Experiment. And I can't carry a tune!

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Start practicing piano again, and, find a cellist to learn the Rachmaninoff Cello Sonata together :)

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Yes, my answer is the same as Yi. I'd like to pick up piano again! xo

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Ooh that sounds wonderful. When you finally do, make sure you video-record yourself. I want to see it!

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Haha, make sure you don’t hold your breath as I am sure you’d turn purple lol

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I'd love to take some math courses at the local community college. Starting from when I was in junior high school math was a constant challenge for me with many nights spent crying over my homework. I had to use a lot of math in my professional career and found that if I took it one step at a time, it wasn't so scary -- and in fact, I liked the logic of it. I'd like to "re-do" my relationship to math.

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I’ve also thought it would be good for me to go back to math class. As a humanities type, I often joke around saying, “I was told there would be no math.”

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Oh Kaarin, I'm grinning ear to ear reading this. What a wonderful way to revise a story and re-do your relationship with math! 💪🏼

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Playing the fiddle. I love music, but I've never been involved in making it. Something about the fiddle--think Alison Krauss--has always appealed to me. That would truly be something I've never done or even tried. So I'd be an absolute beginner no doubt with numerous opportunities to laugh at myself, which is something I do regularly.

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That sounds like an absolutely fun thing to do, Daria. In this Joy Experiment I'm doing this year, I intentionally select things I have little chance of mastering but plenty of opportunities to laugh at myself — just like what you said!

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Paper mache. I have no idea why. I'm the performing artist type and my writing is usually geared to some sort of public performance thingy. BUT, I love visual arts. Mainly the supplies, glues, paints, clays, crayons...BUT I am pretty darned terrible if I do say so myself with ART. However, paper mache looks like I can play with all the things, and create something cool that can look a bit on the ROUGH side.

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Love this! Paper mache is basically the art world's way of saying, "Perfection is overrated— just have fun and make a glorious mess!" I'd love to see what you end up making when you finally get your fingers going!

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Admittedly, I have real challenges with adopting a Beginner's Mindset. I'm a recovering perfectionist. I'm REALLY good at giving others grace. Myself? It's a little more challenging. Maybe this is the part of my life that I become a more loving, encouraging parent to myself. 🥰 So... I my response to the prompt is "adopting a Beginner's Mindset." 😆

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Totally get this one. My wish for a super power is to put a how-to book under my pillow at night, then wake-up with all the knowledge and skill to ___ fill in the blank (photography, piano, painting....)

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YES! Akin to the programming of skills from the Maxtrix. 😊

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HAH - I used to say that is how I want to learn! That scene where Tank was uploading some skills to Neo while he sits in this old dental chair? I remember watching it the first time and immediately said "SIGN ME UP!"

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Me, too! 😊

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😅 Going meta there! Kidding aside, I hear you. The part about the beginner's mindset that's hard for me is being okay with the mess and laughing about the mistakes. On the one hand, I "know" it's okay that I'm not good with it yet, but on the other hand, I feel so frustrated with myself. The struggle is real! Anytime you need to shore up your cheerleading corner there, just give me a shout! You got this! 🤗

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I’d like to dive into trying a new business. I’ve been studying for a diploma which I will complete in April. I then have to put on my big girl panties and put myself out there as a beginner in something new at the age of 50! Eeek!

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Oh wow! 👏🏼 Imagine me with my pom-poms on the sideline there cheering you on! A brand new adventure for you. So exciting, Nicole! Do you already know what kind of business you're going to dive into?

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Thank you 🤗. I’m currently an optometrist (for the last 25 years). I’m adding on Health Coach (wellness and lifestyle). I want to help those living with metabolic conditions (eg type 2 diabetes); high blood pressure; autoimmune disease; thyroid disease. These conditions can affect your eyes as well as the rest of you. So I’d love to be able to coach so that people can get the best from their vision and overall well being.

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Become a much better photographer…

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That's awesome Scot! And with you being retired now, you'll have some extra time to play with this. Cheers! 📸

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Good question! I would like to try whittling, as in shaping pieces of wood. No idea why, it's what has popped into my mind!

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I have done just a little whittling and it is fun and can be very creative. I want to learn to sharpen my kitchen knives. I sharp knife is very important to whittling, too.

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Whittling, wow! First off, I learned a new word. Yay. And how interesting, Jane. You better let me know when you do give it a shot! 🌟 Cheers!

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