Posted by fallsfall on March 19, 2006, at 9:47:27
In reply to Re: Aren't your enthusiasms really » Dinah, posted by Racer on March 19, 2006, at 1:01:49
Plus these enthusiasms meet a need that we have at the time. When the need is met, we move on to something else.
I did a ton of crossstitch when I was first disabled. It was very orderly, there was lots of control, it turned out nicely, people were impressed, and it took a lot of time. It balanced nicely my completely out of control life. I was feeling a bit out of control the other night, so I got out my Zome (www.zometool.com - really cool stuff for the mathematically, orderly inclined of us). It lets me feel like there is innate order in the world, just like the crossstitch did. I also like to color geometric designs sometimes for the same reason.
But I don't always need these "orderly" kinds of activities, because I don't always feel like my life is out of control. So when things get back into control, I'll put my Zome away, until I need it again.
The other thing that I tend to come back to is swinging. I used to swing after every single therapy session. It was like being rocked. I also have a rocking chair at home. And a dear friend made me a swing to hang from a tree in my yard. When I am feeling particularly in need of comfort, I will swing or rock (or even think about swinging). Now, sometimes I swing when I don't "need" to - and it still feels good. But when I have an "enthusiasm" about swinging it is because I am in need of comfort.
So look at your enthusiasms and I'll bet that the ones you come back to periodically fill a particular need for you, a need that is inherent in your being. Sometimes the need is stronger, and sometimes it is comfortably filled.
Aren't we smart to figure out ways to meet our own needs?
poster:fallsfall
thread:621508
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20060318/msgs/621994.html