Finding your second chances

“Wait, you blow glass?” 

This is a common refrain that I hear from folks when they learn that one of my hobbies is glassblowing. 

Then usually the next question is, “Have you seen that show Blown away on Netflix”

Nope! 

But it’s funny that I blow glass because the first time I took a glassblowing course in college, I didn’t show up. And by didn’t show up I mean:

• I showed up consistently late to class

• I spent more time talking with folks rather than engaged in actually glassblowing

• I didn't come in for studio hours to blow

And shocker… guess what happens when you don’t show up to glassblowing??… You don’t actually learn the craft. 

And so a professor sat me down mid way through the semester and told me: “Ellen, something like glassblowing, you don’t get second chances in life,” and encouraged me to show up. 

With all the stressors of senior year, this pep talk did very little to actually shift my behavior. 

And so I finished that semester with an A-, which was beyond generous of the professor and felt a sense of failure for not having learned this thing I was curious about. 

And a year later,  I had moved to New Orleans and I met Weston, a then boyfriend of a colleague. He showed up to my workplace one day and as we schmoozed, I learned he was an MFA Student at Tulane specializing in glass. I asked if he could give me a tour of the Tulane Hot Shop and shortly thereafter, I figured out how to reconfigure my schedule to take a beginner glass class at Tulane. 

There was something so victorious about that second chance. Of recognizing my shortcomings and discovering what I actually needed to invest to take that course. So much transformation occurred because I chose a new story for myself and invested the energy in my creativity and growth. 

I appreciate my college glassblowing professor who told me “there aren’t second chances”, but I found a second chance for myself. 

Have you been seeking a second chance lately?

Perhaps you:

• …are scared you won’t get into balance because of a fall in the past and really wish you could learn to ride a bike. 

• … are worried that the crash that happened in the past will happen again and so are keeping your bike hidden in the garage, but peek at it longingly. 

• … are fearful you will be left in the dust because the last group ride you went on did just that and you never got to connect with others as you had hoped for. 

Those challenges and pains are oh so real. I see you. 

But is there perhaps a second chance you are yearning for? 

To be able to put the past behind you and pedal into a new story? A new gear? 

At Circle and Spoke, we are planning ahead for our offerings in 2025 and we’d love to hear how we can be of support to you in your journey.

What sort of second chance are you looking for in and out of the bike saddle? 

A second chance of:

• Reigniting adventure? 

• Returning to yourself having felt nothing, but the stress of the go-go-go in your world?

• Feeling your confidence to ride a bike? 

• Sensing community and connection in your life? 

Drop me a line at [email protected] … I’d love to hear what second chance you’d say YES to if gently blew your way!

Wheels up, 

Ellen