yo-yo anyone?

Back in the 4th grade I clearly remember the yo-yo craze. It seems that about every 10 years or so that they come back into vogue. I also remember how bad I was at it back then. I was amazed at some of the moves my friends could do – “Walk the Dog” (which was the first trick I actually learnt), “Around the World,” UFO,” and so many more. I just sat in amazement at them twisting the yoyo around and creating different shapes and manipulating its movement. With people laughing at me I could have very well given up, but I didn’t. I just kept at it. Slowly, but surely, I would master a new move. I didn’t have access to any good yoyo manuals or the Internet so I just did what I could. Thankfully later on I was able to get my hands on a manual that guided me through some of the more amazing tricks. Still, I’m a long way away from Jensen Kimmitt (the 2010 world yoyo champion) who is simply amazing. Watch his winning performance here.

So why do I bring up yo-yos? Because yo-yos represent the things that we are poor at. For some people English comes easy, for others it’s tough. For some math comes naturally, while languages are simply impossible. We all have things we have a natural talent for and those things that we think just are impossible to learn. Whether it’s yo-yos, English or math that we struggle at all it takes is time, perseverance and practice. My student at Smith’s 英会話 Hirakata is evidence of this, for years English was her nemesis but now she’s written two books (The Greatest Gift & The Call that Changed My Life) in English and read almost the entire Harry Potter series despite picking it up in her 50s.

There is no real secret to mastering anything. Study, practice and persevere. My yo-yo talent and magic skills are proof of this. It doesn’t matter where you start, just where you end up that matters.

Adrian