Are You Skating on Ice or Clinging to the Edge?

My friend’s 18 year old daughter, Sophie, has been staying with us and yesterday she took my 12 year old daughter to the local ice rink.

They had a great time by all accounts, Sophie was keen to share her amazement at watching 4 and 5 year olds demonstrating their intricate moves.

“It was like a mini Dancing on Ice”, she stated, “It put me to shame.”

“Put you to shame?” I enquired

“Yes, I spent most of my time on my back or clinging on to the edge – I was too scared to let go.”

Interesting I thought. These young children were skating confidently, full of self belief, showing off their spins and jumps at such a tender age.

“Did they ever fall over?” I asked Sophie, “ A couple of times but they just got straight up and carried on skating.”

“That’s their confidence shinning through,” I added, “they aren’t concerned about who is watching them and what others might think of them. All they are interested in is enjoying the moment.”

“Unlike me, I was really worried people would laugh at me as I clung to the edge of the rink.”

“Exactly,” I replied. “They’ve got great inner confidence and resilience not unlike a baby learning to walk. He takes his first tentative step and falls over, what does he do? He just picks him self up and tries again. And will keep on trying until he gets it right. You can learn a lot from watching babies and young children, they don’t give up at the first hurdle, they are very smart, they have great tenacity and determination, otherwise they would never grow and develop.”

“Mmm” said Sophie, “ A bit like me keeping on with my studies, I know where I want to get to I just have to keep working at it until I get there.

"Just like the women I work with." I said