Lessons from a little surfer:

I’ve heard that many skills are easiest learned during childhood.  I believe it has something to do with the stages of brain development.

But I think there’s more to it.

While at the beach last week, I watched one determined little boy as he taught himself to surf.  A long puddle of water had accumulated in a low spot on the beach – he began there.  Repeatedly he ran toward the puddle, threw down his beginner board and jumped on.  Virtually very time, he crashed to the ground.

Undeterred, he got up and did it again…and again…and again.  No quitting, no tears.  And I swear, he became more driven with each failed attempt.  Slowly he got better.

Day 2 brought dramatic improvement.  Most tries were successful.  By that afternoon, he left the puddle behind and moved to the ocean.  The water was rough and he fell several times.  But each time, he jumped back up and tried again.  That was the last day I saw him.

During those two days, it occurred to me,

“I don’t think the possibility of failure ever entered his mind.”

Is that one of the reasons we learn things more easily as children?  Is it because we don’t even realize we could fail?

Perhaps a little blind determination could be beneficial in adulthood as well.  How many times do we over-think situations?  Do we talk ourselves out of success before even giving it a shot?  Of course I’m not advocating abandoning reason.  But if you feel your idea is strong, why not take a lesson from the little surfer and give it a real chance?

Little Surfer Boy

What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?

~ Robert Schuller

Photo taken by me.