When I was in grade school, I was given a grade of “Needs Improvement” for using time wisely.

I just confessed to my family (of growing children) this factoid from my history.

They laughed.

The funniest part (and why they laughed) was the reason.

I was trying to figure out how to make paper doll chains. It is harder than you would think (especially when you are 7.)

We all have the skills that are inherent, or come naturally and those that don’t require practice. I suggest you spend time trying to figure out the things that don’t just come easily for you, if they are of interest, because they could possibly benefit you in the long run.

Plus, if you could just start with a blank sheet of paper and create something amazing, wouldn’t you want to be able to do it, over and over and over again?

Making paper doll chains might not have been the most complicated thing I never learned to do, but it sure would have been helpful in college during my artists-led architectural studio sessions. Sadly, I never mastered that particular skill because of a 1st grade teacher who didn’t think that was using time wisely. I wholeheartedly disagree. At least, years later, it gave my kids a chuckle…and that is definitely worth something very valuable.

~ Dawn aka Hat Girl