A little while back Nuun posted a question on twitter and I briefly glanced at it but didn’t really think about it…until today’s run. The question was…
What would you tell a younger you if you could?
During my miles, I rattled off all the typical things…
- Don’t give up
- You can do anything you want to do
but then I thought about my childhood and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I would tell myself…
Don’t assume you’re the only one that doesn’t know. Asking “Why” doesn’t make you stupid
I can remember in grade school looking at a math problem that I didn’t understand but rather than trying to figure it out, I just let it go. Nervous that by asking why, I would be judged by the class, labeled as stupid.
That fear stayed with me into college. Looking at stats problems. Feeling like the were seemingly impossible, I didn’t even try asking why…
Now, at 37, I have realized that strength comes from understanding. Asking the question doesn’t make you stupid, it makes you smarter.
The lesson goes far beyond school work. In running and endurance activities, understanding why one run went well and one didn’t is the key to becoming stronger and achieving goals. I think that’s why I love it so much. Running reminds me to ask the question, to get stronger and gives me a better chance at being the person I want to be for myself and for the people that need me.
It seems like a such a simple thing but it took me 37 years and a lot of missed opportunities to learn that asking isn’t the problem. The problem comes when we don’t listen and try to understand the answer.
I’ve said it before, perspective is a beautiful thing. And I’m hear to preach it again. If we knew everything, we’d be the best runners, we would be the head of every class and everyone’s psychologist. We have to work at it. It takes grit. It takes patience and understanding.
Beyond running, this lesson is an important one in life. Asking, listening and understanding are gifts.
So I’m asking you…
What would you tell a younger you?
first thought that comes to mind is “don’t give up”, “be kind” but like you, I know if I think a little, I will get my AH HA, that’s just it thought. I’ll come back!
Don’t stop doing what you love just because the world tells you it interferes with what you should be doing.
Don’t be afraid to take chances or risks, and leave your comfort zone once in a while.
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I totally agree with you. Learning to be comfortable in seeking out the “why” is definitely something I have been working on over the years. What I would tell my younger self: live fearlessly. I can think of so many opportunities I missed because I was afraid they’d set me back financially, academically, etc. Nowadays I’m learning to take more chances and let go of worry and fear of failure. I’ve found that even if I do fail at something, taking the chance was always worth it anyway because it was a learning experience.
Advice to younger Jen: No one cares about what happened in high school after high school. Man, I wish I could go back and just re-do SO much instead of worrying about what made everyone else happy instead of myself.