20, 8 and 6.

Time to get uncomfortable, kids.

I did a pilates class this morning and in the middle of downward dog, I had a revelation - I am not good at pilates! Is it the first time I’ve done a class in five years? Yes. Am I internationally known for my incredible flexibility? Absolutely not. I was disappointed that I wasn’t a natural on my very first go (since high school at least).

I don’t know if this is an expectation I have whenever I approach a new activity. I do know, after decades of running around the field slower than the other hockey boys, not to expect fast progress when it comes to any sport. After a week of snowboarding lessons, the only pupils who hadn’t graduated to the next difficulty level were an 8 year old girl, a 6 year old girl and me.

On the other hand, many new academic or creative pursuits come fairly easily to me. Learning a new language (I have a 59 day streak on Duolingo, try not to give into your overwhelming jealousy) isn’t particularly challenging for me. When I first sat behind a pottery wheel, it didn’t take long until I had the hang of the basic skills I needed.

It’s so tempting for me to only pursue the things that I pick up naturally. I could totally ignore snow sports for the rest of my life because I need longer than a week to get a hang of the basics. But think of how empty my life would be? A friend of mine once taught me and a mutual friend how to stand up paddle board. We were in the ocean and it took her maybe 20 minutes before she was standing up, paddling away. I spent 2 hours practicing on a calm lake the next afternoon before I could even stand up at all.

Doing things that we’re bad at is such an uncomfortable experience. It was hard not to feel ashamed standing head and shoulders above my two snow school classmates. I had to go and find a lake to fall into again and again before I finally stood up on that SUP board. But imagine a world where I didn’t persevere through those difficulties. I’m still not a great sportsman, but I’m a hell of a lot more interesting. And it only cost me a few dozen bruises.