I have been finding it harder and harder to concentrate, on goals, on work, on life. Sometimes its distractions; other times, it’s just a lack of patience. Maybe I’m just in a rut and need something out of the ordinary to change up the pace.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been grounded: I haven’t had to travel for work for almost 6 months. I would’ve been excited to use this chance to take some classes or check out more of the local scene that has been developing here in Fort Lauderdale, but everything is pretty much closed due to the pandemic. So instead, I’ve picked up some new hobbies, guitar and copperplate calligraphy. Well, they’re not new; I’ve had the guitar for about 3 years, and I’ve wanted to learn copperplate for about 2 years after I saw some cool lettering and flourishes from online videos.

A lot more thought and patience are required for copperplate calligraphy than I thought. I initially thought writing copperplate calligraphy is about flow and embellishment. But once I started, I realized its a lot slower paced. It is about control and requires you to think and plan out the letters and words you are about to write. I find myself practicing my alphabets again, both upper and lower case. I find it quite refreshing and inspirational to take something that I was familiar with and used to and to break it down into the fundamentals to perfect it. Instead of just doing, I needed to slow down and think about it more.

We are so used to speed nowadays; we naturally expect it: one-day deliveries, same time theatrical and online release of movies, ready-made meals, fast-casual restaurant chains, etc. Yes, it is convenient, but I always feel something is missing. The tiny spark of excitement of something to come, the thrill of anticipation. I hoping slowing down for calligraphy can help me reexamine my life, and to give my actions more thoughts, and not just go thru the motions.