To learn something new

  

I just love learning something new. I love the saying “you learn something new everyday!” It’s so true.

Today, I learnt something about a product I deal with everyday and more about how to do my job better. A job I’ve been in for almost 3 years. I know what I’m doing – yet I still have so much to learn. 

Lately I’ve been learning how to swim. Yep! You read that right – how to swim. I’m 32 years old and this year, I’m learning a new life skill. This was also number 41 on my 100 Things list. There were so many reasons why I wanted to learn this skill:

1. to save my own life (I’ve had a couple of near death experiences with drowning)
2. to be able to save my son’s life (God forbid that ever happens)
3. to be able to participate in The Amazing Race TV series (number 20 on my list). I’ve applied a couple of times and they never call me. So to increase my chances, knowing how to swim might help me get a phone call. I really want to test myself in that kind of environment. How strong mentally and physically am I really? Can I really do anything I put my mind to? A show like this that would really allow me to test myself. How competitive am I really? #OneDay
4. a new activity for me to keep fit
5. a means of getting to/from work/school/home 

In December 2014, I decided to learn how to ride a bike (number 99). One beautiful, sunny day, we were buying a bike for my husband and my son was just learning how to move the pedals. I didn’t want to be left behind. I wanted to buy a little girls bike with training wheels. But the sales lady wouldn’t let me. She insisted on teaching me. It took 1 phone call to make the appointment, $140 and 2 lessons. And the rest is history. I must admit, learning was scary. Mainly because I didn’t want to fall. But now, the feeling of riding is exhilarating. I love the freedom. The solitude. And the family rides – that we are yet to have. I’m still teaching my son how to ride. It’s been about 10 months since we took his training wheels off. He’s still learning and he’s getting there. But we’re not yet 100% confident that he can stop suddenly if he needs to and ride fully independently while we’re both on our bikes too. So one day, this will happen – My dream of getting on our bikes on a Sunday arvo and just riding. #MakingItHappen

  

  
     

One thing I tell my son is that everyone needs to learn something. As a parent, teaching your kids is one of the most important things. The fact that I showed him that I too need to learn how to ride a bike, hopefully in some way motivated him too. I must admit, he doesn’t really like trying new things. But slowly, he’s learning that new things are great.

I’m learning new things everyday, every week, every month and every year. So when you see an obstacle, think of the opportunity it brings. Find the reason why it came into your life. Embrace it. Make it work for you. #RemainOptimistic

Next on my list of skills to learn…

Number 72. Learn to drive a manual car

Once I learn that, I’ll be totally ready for my journey on The Amazing Race. #WatchMeWhip

Life’s a journey. Life is meant to be lived. What are you waiting for? Tomorrow is not guaranteed.