tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25407346.post-30245887364509369552008-06-26T06:19:00.003-05:002008-06-26T06:32:30.132-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Instant Success...</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">No Matter How Long It Takes</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_HPgceAZgiNE/SGN7SSQwLlI/AAAAAAAAB68/ZtNtICSNSiM/s1600-h/driftwood2.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_HPgceAZgiNE/SGN7SSQwLlI/AAAAAAAAB68/ZtNtICSNSiM/s400/driftwood2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216148347495132754" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday, Sherri was kind enough to ask me to assist with a class in introduction to recreational kayaking. We were on a river and not in sea kayaks. Still, the joy I realize from teaching was there as it always is. Seeing a student "get it" is a high for me. It was so in medicine, Judo, photography, anatomy and physiology and, now, kayaking.<br /></div></div><br />When they first get onto the water, I always ask them to take a moment and store away a memory of how they feel in the boat at that time. I let them paddle a bit without instruction (other than what I'd covered on shore) and watch as they struggle to make the boat do what they have in mind. I am sure that at those times the kayak feels as unresponsive as a log washed ashore. The class passes quickly after which I sit quietly and watch the amazing progress they've made and the joy they take in actually getting the boat to do what they want.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_HPgceAZgiNE/SGN7_TFEOKI/AAAAAAAAB7E/ij_e9He6qkU/s1600-h/3-4-paddle1.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_HPgceAZgiNE/SGN7_TFEOKI/AAAAAAAAB7E/ij_e9He6qkU/s400/3-4-paddle1.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216149120808663202" border="0" /></a>Near the end of the class, I ask them to recall how they felt in the boat and what they were able to do and not do just a few hours before. I honor them for their success. Then, I send them off with the advise to experience a lot of butt in the boat time. Practice, practice, practice...just as I did with my medical students and everyone else who has ever allowed me the privilege of being their teacher.<br /><br />Paddle safe...<br />DS<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25407346-3024588736450936955?l=silbs.blogspot.com'/></div>Silbshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12561606347525787459noreply@blogger.com1