Do you remember the time when you used training wheels?

Walking through town today, I passed a small park where a young family was walking with their little girl who was riding her bike with training wheels.  At the same time, an elderly couple passed by and the women said to her husband:  “Do you remember the time when you used training wheels?”  She said, I remember the day mine were taken off and I felt so grown up and brave. 

                                                                               

My little granddaughter uses training wheels not because she needs them but because she is afraid that she might fall down.  She has not reached the point where she feels comfortable or confident enough to try and let go.

Those few words of the elderly woman triggered old memories for me.  I began to recall times in my life when I felt like I arrived.  I arrived at a particular plateau and I felt the joy of my accomplishments.  Yet prior to those joyful moments I, too, recalled some of the times when I was afraid of letting go in case I might fall on my face and feel embarrassed.  I am sure many of us have had similar feelings in life because that was part of our learning experiences. We all go through times of feeling either unworthy, less than or simply lacking the confidence to handle a particular situation.  

I have come to realize that it doesn’t matter how old you are—fear, embarrassment, unsure of your feelings or your abilities knows no age.  Yet I have also begun to understand that all of those emotions are natural and will surface from time to time but it is in how I handle them and let them work for me, not against me that matters.

Like the visual of using training wheels till we gain the desired degree of confidence, we actually can use various tools to train our mind to become confident, empowered and disciplined to push through stress and anxiety.  This approach is no different than the simplistic approach of a child who is first learning how to ride the bike.

o     He/she climbs on the bike

o     Position them self so that he/she is balanced

o     Push forward on the pedals with controlled momentum

o     Pick up speed with a smooth and even foot action till he/she gains confidence and then feels like he/she is soaring.

This technique requires practice but with time it becomes second nature.

The same holds true with all of us in life.

o     We need to identify the problem or situation

o     Position ourselves so that we can approach it from the best perspective

o     Push forward with a controlled action plan that will result in positive momentum

o     Pick up speed with a sure-footed sense of ease as we develop a healthy mindset and strong conviction believing that we are up for the task.

You can do it!  We have all experienced how the training wheels work; you simply need to put those techniques into action daily and watch your life shift into high gear. 

Joan Marie Ambrose

Author, Creative Writer, Motivational Speaker