Outside OG Surf & Skate (Ocean Grove, NJ)
Week #47 – Summer Fun Challenge: “Lessons Available!” (Learn to ________________!)
Greetings Happyness Tribe — and welcome to week EIGHT of our Summer Fun Challenge!
I couldn’t help but notice this sign outside of our local surf shop. This was the shop that started it all for us! About a decade ago — OG Surf & Skate used to be called OG Surf Shop. That is where I took my first surf lesson, bought my first wetsuit, and my first and only surfboard! It wasn’t too long after that Rob wanted to give it a try…and, like most things he attempted, he picked it up annoyingly quickly and easily! Soon he had his own wetsuit, his own board, and his very own hobby that he loved so much!
Surfing is a tricky sport. It takes place on an unpredictable, moody, and moving surface. Much has been written about The Wave…but one thing is for sure: you cannot control it. It doesn’t stop, or wait, or even play nice sometimes. Without question — YOU must adapt to it. And if you take the time to learn and cooperate just a bit — you just might get to experience the absolute thrill of standing up and riding a wave in for the first time!
I never would have gotten there on my own. I needed someone to teach me.
And I’m so glad I did!
We think nothing of sending kids off for all kinds of lessons: swim, cooking, acting, dance, karate, band, and yes — even surf lessons! Why do we do this? To increase their learning curve? To learn good habits? And with surf or swim — to possibly save their lives? Why then, as adults, do we try to do everything ourselves? Why is it hard for us to humble ourselves to the expertise of another — all for the sake of learning, expediting, enjoying, and yes — possibly even saving our lives?
The best experiences I’ve had as an adult have been learning something new. I took a ski lesson a DECADE after I first went skiing — to UN-learn bad habits and learn the “right” way! I took a motorcycle class to learn how to properly (and hopefully safely) ride a motorcycle. My sister and I treated my mom to a group golf lesson one year — and had a great time learning something new together (and playing a few rounds after that)! And yes, I took surf lesson to not only learn how to surf — but how to fall, because wipeouts are inevitable!
I know a 20-something who takes piano, a 40-something who learned to swim, a 60+ year old who learned to play the trumpet, and an 80-something that will happily teach you how to knit!
I’ve used mentors, coaches, and webinars to learn — and try — something new. I even used a tutorial to start this very blog! You are never too old to learn something new — in fact, learning might be the very thing that keeps you young!
This week’s assignment: TAKE A LESSON! Learn to surf, to cook, to play tennis, paddleboard, yoga, skeet shoot, whatever! Whether it’s been something you’ve been doing for years — or something you want to try just now. Give yourself the gift of experience and take a lesson! Two things will happen — you’ll either realize the thing you’ve been wanting to do isn’t quite for you; or you’ll realize it is and have a whole new hobby to keep you busy! Either way is just as important — to eliminate options opens you up for something else; to nurture and grow a budding interest opens you up to a something new!
Take a lesson! (Or give one!) You can’t stop the wave — but you can learn to surf!
Spread Happyness — and share your thoughts in the comments! What would you like to learn (or teach)?!
8/7/15 by Grace Church
© Grace Church
PS: FOUR WEEKS TO GO! Our FUN LIST is still growing — keep ’em coming!!!
– “One Tank Trips”
– Surprise trip for spouse or loved one
– Kayaking
– Beach time
– BBQ’s
– Tourist for the day in nearby city
– Walking the boards
– Rock climbing
– Scuba diving
– Touring an estate
– Time with family
– Sitting on the porch
– Watching for rainbows
– Learning to surf
– Gardening
– Writing a book
– Working on a “summer” project
– Moving to a new town
– Planning a spa day (or half-day, or even lunch hour)
– Taking Fridays (or Mondays) off!
– Day at the ballpark (Minor League stadiums are great, too!)
– Outside concerts/music events
– Hot air balloon ride/festival
– Pool volleyball (a Church-family classic!)
– Take yourself or someone you love for ice cream!
– Weed your front yard garden (and talk with neighbors and folks walking by!)
– Lose yourself in wonderful music, either listening or singing
– Play in the grassy backyard
– Play with your dog (or maybe your neighbor’s dog!)
– Sing karaoke
– Explore your town, county, state…through food and drink!
– Visit a farm
– Make plans to see friends you don’t often get to see (or schedule a gathering!)
– Blind-folded Make-overs! (Great for a rainy day! Bonus points if you go out in public after!)
(What are we missing? Send me your ideas and I’ll add them to the list!)