Earlier this month, I spent 2 glorious weeks in Florida on the ocean. One day, my daughter Katy decided that she wanted to go paddleboarding. I couldn’t have been more unenthusiastic. “Come on, Mom! It’ll be fun!” she said, while running towards the enormous boards. She hauled one out to the ocean and promptly hopped on.
I hesitantly scooted the board in the water. I cautiously looked in the water underneath the board, convinced that JAWS would leap out and bite me. I awkwardly climbed on the board and immediately fell right off. I SO didn’t want to do this! But by this time, Katy was halfway around the bend, and I didn’t want to be left out.
So, I tried again and again. Finally, I got some traction and paddled out to where Katy was. I still hadn’t stood up on the board but sitting and paddling was pretty okay. Katy yelled at me “See Mom?? It’s FUN!”
Pft. “I mean, it’s alright,” I grumbled.
Then, I got over myself. I stood up. I teeter-tottered trying to find my balance, until a wave from a boat knocked me down. I got back up, planted my feet, found my center, and was able to paddle around. The sun was warm, the wind was light, the ocean was so blue, and I was with one of the best people in my life. Total perspective shift.
Learning something new is hard. You feel awkward and hesitant. You fall down. You look funny. But then, you get back up and you try again. This is how innovation occurs! This is how new ideas are created, and this is how you stay mentally sharp.
So, get on that board. Plant your feet. Find your center and enjoy the world. You won’t regret it.
POWER THOUGHT: Learning something new is no walk in the park. Do it anyway.