*
When I was in 4th grade, my favorite teacher did a class project where each student had to take care of a little bean seed until it became a plant. I placed my bean in a small glass container with some cotton and a bit of water. Each day from Monday to Friday we had to inspect the seed to see the progress. I was so fascinated by the transformation of that little seed that I still remember everything about the experience. I started jumping up and down when the first green leaves showed up. To me, that was a real miracle.
Image © The Imagination Tree ↓
Many years have passed since I first saw the transformation of that seed, but I have been extremely lucky to witness similar “miracles” with my children Natalie and Diego and my stepson Miro. Each of them has grown in so many directions in the last few years. I’m thrilled to see where they are now and I’m excited to see where they’re going.
Miro and Natalie. Photo taken by Bill ↓
I must say that Diego has had to work harder than everyone else in the family because of his Autism. But he has now mastered the art of cheerfully fighting for what he wants and needs, until he sees results. During the Holidays Bill took Diego to his first ski class. He had some coordination problems with his legs but the teacher was very patient and kept encouraging him to practice. When I went to the place to check on Diego I almost wanted to take him home with me. He had a runny nose, you could see that he was exhausted, but the only thing that he wanted was to ski. He finally did it while saying: Ameeeericaaaa!!!!! He also fell down in different occasions, but there is a technique for getting up, so he worked on that as well.
Diego at the ski class. Photo taken by Bill ↓
As we started packing to go back home after Diego’s successful ski class, I asked myself: What is it that keeps Diego so focussed on trying something hard over and over until he sees results? Well, I think that life has trained him to believe that failing is perfectly normal. That falling down and having a runny nose and being exhausted are normal things. But life has also taught him that there is nothing more magical that seeing himself do something that nobody thought that he could do. He loves surprising himself, over and over, and that’s one of the most inspiring things about watching Diego be who he is.
It would be good to keep Diego’s teaching in mind this year. I want to write a sign that reads: Surprise Yourself, and then I want to place it in my studio.
How about surprising ourselves this year? How about being our own project/experiment? Just like that little bean seed that I was talking about.I believe that what keeps us from growing sometimes is being intimidated by what’s difficult, and forgetting about the magic that comes after we overcome difficulties. Just like Diego, let’s be excited about pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zone. If our nose is runny, let’s blow it. If we fall down, let’s get up. If we’re exhausted, let’s take a break. The thing is that if we focus on enjoying the process or growing without looking for perfection, but just positive results, we will automatically see our energy duplicate and our creativity duplicate as well. Now Diego is drawing different superheroes on skis. Attending the ski class opened a whole new area of interest in his life.
Cheers for a brave and adventurous 2015!
Elsita
*
I just love that for a life motto: Surprise Yourself!
Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to Art is a Way 2015. 🙂
Suné Moolman recently posted..Happy New Year: Mango and bacon salad
Thanks a lot, Suné! Let’s keep that life motto in mind this year 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..A Year for Growth.
Elsa, I love how you think. Yes, let’s do surprise ourselves! That’s a wonderful idea for the new year.
And Bravo to Diego for his hard work and willingness to practice, practice. Learning to ski is hard–but his approach will help him progress rapidly and get to the fun stuff!
Jennifer Bullis recently posted..You’re Invited! Poems and Stories about Animals at Good Shepherd Center, Seattle: Tuesday, Nov. 18, 7:00 p.m.
Hi Jennifer!
Bravo for Diego!
He’s my little master 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..A Year for Growth.
Como siempre, ¡cuán inspiradoras son tus entradas! Gracias por compartir! Y Feliz 2015!
Feliz 2015 Adribel! Te deseo todo lo mejor!
🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..A Year for Growth.
Dear Elsa, what a delicious memory from my childhood you have awakened! My teacher Stela Maris, wanting to show us both the magic of nature and the possibility of overcoming difficulties, invited us to put some beans to sprout in a corner of a box capped shoes where there was a single source of light coming from a small hole in the other end. In addition to see the magic of sprouting, I coud see the little plant run boldly into the light and reach its green and fertile destination… Oh, soon after reading your post, I also prepared a glass with beans to inspire me in these early days of the year. I wish all the happiness to you and your lovely family too!
Hi Bernadete!
I loved reading your story. I also feel like putting some bean seeds in a glass jar to see them sprout.
I think that I’m going to do it with the kids later.
Sending my love to all of you!
E 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..A Year for Growth.
What a great reminder and what great inspiration. You and Bill have created such a wonderful environment for Diego.
Thanks for your words, Jan!
🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..A Year for Growth.
Your words are beautiful and timely. I also have a son who has Autism. You are on to something quite beautiful and accurate-failing is normal and being our own project! You are very inspiring. Thank you! Also, I love that Diego went flying down the hill yelling, “America”! Awesome!
Angela recently posted..Life Itself
Hi Angela!
All the best to you and your son in 2015!
It was super funny seeing Diego ski down the hill yelling AMERICAAAA!!!
He’s such a positive boy. Everything is a party to him 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..A Year for Growth.
What a wonderful post! Thank you for the inspiration ~
Marianne Wille recently posted..Winter wreath
Thank, Marianne!
And Happy 2015!
Elsa Mora recently posted..A Year for Growth.
Dear Elsita
What a lovely post. It truly warms the heart and inspires. I totally agree with you, both watching our little ‘beans’ grow (in my case a very apt analogy which I will tell you about sometime) to accepting that failure is a learning tool. I read the post to Orla too.
Happy new year to you all.
Lorrie
xxx
Lorrie recently posted..Welcome 2015
Big hug for you Lori!
I wish you tons of good things in 2015.
I always love seeing Orla’s photos. She looks like a character
from a book. So beautiful and unique.
And I can’t wait to see your photographic work this year.
Love!
E 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..A Year for Growth.
Dear Elsa, I don’t know you, but I love you! 🙂 Thank you for your inspiring words and beautiful art.
I love you too Judy!
Wishing you a wonderful 2015!
E 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..A Year for Growth.
Thanks for posting Elsa! I am ready to surprise myself this year! ¡Feliz año nuevo!
Congratulations, Ana! You will be surprised to see how much you can surprise yourself 🙂
Elsa Mora recently posted..A Year for Growth.
Elsa—What a beautiful and optimistic outlook on life. And Diego’s perspective is especially positive! He is the Little Engine that Could! What an inspiration all of you are! I wish all of you a memorable year in your new coast!!! Happy New Year!!!
Thank you Elsa. This post parallels what I’ve been reading: we must become like little children in a sense, to learn new things and achieve success. When we were babies learning to walk, we didn’t give up. We didn’t THINK about it, we were single minded in our goal.
Taking risks, and pushing ourselves seems to be a common theme this new year.
Thank you for the reminder, Diego!
Pamela Jean recently posted..Epiphany
What a wonderful idea: surprise myself with my own life. Thank you!
Linda Watson recently posted..Welcome 2015!
Wishing you and your family a very happy year of surprises!
Love
Amanda
Querida Elsita, como siempre, encuentro fuerza es inspiración en tus letras. Tienes un sentido especial para captar lo importante , lo hermoso de la vida, e irradiar esa luz. Diego es increíble, espero poder conocerlo algún dia. Feliz año para toda la familia!!!!Mucha salud y amor. Abrazo. Maga
TERRIFIC post, Elsita!