A few days ago, my local ice skating rink was open for the public. The day had revealed itself to be warm and sunny, and after many days of cold brutal weather the ice was able to withstand the change in climate. So I practically flew to the rink prepared for a nice easy breezy warm day skating and having fun. Though my skates were a few sizes too small I couldn't help but feel excited and imagine everything happening perfectly. My mistake, because it seems when you plan something perfectly with no flaws, something always seems to not go your way.
Now, I know I set this up to be some sort of personal narrative, but really it has a message to it and I'm glad to connect my personal experiences to express a theme. You know all those pictures of little cartoon characters flying flawlessly across the ice? Well, let me tell you it is not that easy, at least for me it wasn't. So when I attached my ice skates and headed down to the ice it seemed easy. Like somewhat walking in unsteady raised shoes. But as soon as my feet touched the ice reality struck. The ground underneath me became very slippery and unsteady. I moved incrementally forward careful not to lose balance but that wasn't getting me too far. I carefully pushed off the ice with my right foot and kept my left one planted firmly on the ice letting it slide forward. This skateboard motion seemed to work so I made my way out to the middle of the ice. Soon I began to turn around but shakily lost my balance and fell forward. I caught myself with my hands and knees but it being a warmer day then usual the top layer of ice was melting so I found myself landing in a cold puddle.
It was probably my 5th time out on the ice in skates but the times I've been out weren't close together so most of the skating techniques I've obtained had been forgotten. That day I fell about 10 more times and later my sister asked me why I wasn't upset. I told her, "The more I fell, the better I got at getting up". Yet, my ice skates and gloves were wet from falling in puddles I had fun that day and I learned something.
Later, I told a friend about this experience. She gave me some very wise advise and responded, "It's okay that you fell, Ally. It was said Thomas Edison had to try almost 10,000 times until he finally created the light bulb, and he said, 'I have not failed, I just found 10,000 ways that it won't work'". I smiled at her response because it was the best possible thing anyone could of said.
So the lesson I am trying to express with this short story, is that you should keep trying, and not look back like you have failed, but to remember the event as if you know a different way do complete something. Try on!
So the lesson I am trying to express with this short story, is that you should keep trying, and not look back like you have failed, but to remember the event as if you know a different way do complete something. Try on!
What a great post! That was a very inspirational piece and I liked how you said, "The more I fell, the better I got at getting up," because of how motivational it is. The way you tell of your experience really put a picture in my mind. We all probably know how hard ice-skating can be and it's wonderful that you didn't just give up. :)
ReplyDeleteYour story put my mind right back to the time I learned how to snowboard. I also learned how to get up and dust myself off, many many times! Now 3 years later I am pretty good at it, but am still learning tricks & terrain features.
ReplyDeleteUltimately I can draw the same parallel to life as you did! It IS sweet to gain the knowledge but also exciting to know you still have a lot to still learn! I am happy that you wrote about this life lesson! Thank you!