Mastery at a High Level!
Translated with Chat GPTThis week we had a visit from Belinda (my sister who lives in the USA and saved me with her nursing knowledge when I got sick in Salt Lake) with her family. On Sunday evening, we went up to Geilo with the four of them, my other sister Naomi, and one of my brothers, Glenn, with his two boys. A full apartment with plenty of time to be together. It's insanely cozy and at the same time tiring in a way. I love it and enjoy it a lot, especially when I got to experience Belinda's sons trying alpine skiing and cross-country skiing for the first time. They have only been in Norway in the winter once before. When they were 3 years old, so they don't remember much.
This is where mastery comes in. All ten of us put on alpine skiing gear and tackled various slopes. The Americans started in the smallest children's slope. They stood a bit, fell a bit, crashed a bit, cried a bit, and complained a bit. But they didn't give up! They got up and went downhill again. Slowly but surely, they mastered new things, learning more each time, both from falls and from skiing. They even took the lift partly up the large slope we see from the apartment window and skied down. On the first day of alpine skiing!! It's insane!
Belinda's husband also accomplished a lot. He skied with his boys and challenged himself all the time, just like the boys did. He didn't have any falls, and no crying either now that I think about it. But he didn't give up, even though he got tired and made small mistakes! He didn't care that, as an adult, he was skiing in the children's slope. He just did what he wanted to make himself happy.
Glenn's sons taught others and supported them while making progress themselves! His youngest son wanted to ski from the top of the big slope. It was a bit uncertain if he had enough control to do it. So we gave him some challenges to prove to us that he could do it. He did every single one. He did it with enthusiasm and dedication that early on showed he had no intentions of giving up before reaching his goal. He did it brilliantly!!
Two boys experiencing mastery! One mastering the lower part of the big slope on day one of skiing! And one who finally made it all the way to the top of the large slope! 🤩
Here's a glimpse of the gear before we headed out. Afterwards, they were covered in snow, and the hallway was filled with clothes and more equipment. I like that kind of chaos! 🤪
The next day, they tried cross-country skiing. I'm not that good at it myself, but it was so much fun to see their progress there too. I'm sure the Norwegian genes of the boys kicked in and helped them because they nailed it! Even their father did it without falls or major problems. We skied 4 km and only had a short 10-minute break. The conditions were icy, and we occasionally had snow in the air. But here again, they were excellent in their endurance. Falls were no obstacle. Even though it could feel both painful and annoying, they got up (or were lifted a bit) and continued skiing! It's so inspiring to see!
We went dog sledding in wild weather, with snow and strong winds. We walked in deep snow with 30 m/s gusts of wind. They froze, were tired, and wanted to give up several times. But once again, they kept going. They received pep talks from various directions. Praise and compliments. It seemed like that was enough to push them forward.
So, in addition to bubbling over with pride for these wonderful people in my family, I also feel enormous joy at seeing the effects of positive encouragement, praise, and care. Because I'm pretty sure it would have been a very different experience for all of us if we all just thought about ourselves and our progress. We looked around, shared highs and lows. Supported, helped, praised, lifted, pushed, and showed a care that really made me happy and proud.
I think you might have understood it by now, but I'm insanely proud of my family! Of their mastery, enthusiasm, care, and support for each other. We don't meet all the time, but we're certainly there for each other no matter what. This week has shown me that you don't need to be an adult to support adults. Children have a wonderful ability to be just right sometimes. The innocent and simple way of looking at things. The fearlessness that makes them dare to test and dare to do. It makes them achieve highs that we adults would have missed just because we were too scared or overthought it all. Of course, it's essential to listen to those with experience and trust them. The "They believe in me, so I can do it" attitude is fantastic! Their trust in those around them. And not least, the joy when they succeed. Unfiltered pride that shines a long way!
I love it! I want to be more like that. A little more childlike (no, not childish). Not fear the unknown so much that it stops me from even just looking.
I hope you have a Sunday filled with childlike joy and fearlessness. Because mastery is one of the best feelings, at least to me!
