Growing up, I was quite shy. Fast forward to today, this description no longer applies to me. This, I owe to my mother.
During my formative childhood years, I spent many hours at the skating rink and along with practicing my jumps and spins over and over and over again, it was also a training ground that my mother used to help me overcome my shyness. My mother had a wonderful way about her to embolden me. She was firm, but incredibly loving in the manner which she persuaded me to go out and meet new people. During many sessions on the ice, she would have me go up to someone, also skating, that I had never met before, introduce myself, get their name, and ask a few questions. It was always a nerve-racking experience at first; but then I would have the biggest smile on my face after I completed the task. Slowly, but surely, each time became easier and easier and easier. This was just the beginning for me to break free from my shyness. Those years at the ice rink that I learned to step out of myself instilled so much practical wisdom I’ve been able to draw from for many years since. Never back down from what’s uncomfortable - most often that’s the climate to directly head right into. The atmosphere where the process of transformation occurs.
To where I am today, I'm so thankful for my mother and those years at the ice rink.
Happy Mother’s Day!
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