Cesar and his Goggles - Unschooling Story

A few weeks ago Cesar was in the pool when we were discussing swimming.

He tried to swim by first floating and he just couldn't get it "right". He exclaimed:" It's just impossible!" And no amount of trying different things and talking seemed to make a difference.

Then, a week later or so, I bought him goggles and a snorkel.

Lo' and Behold! He puts them on, gets in the water and is floating and swimming!

There was no "me showing him", no" me teaching him" - putting those goggles on, being able to put his face and head in the water and not having to worry about water getting into his nose - something "clicked".

Since then he has been figuring out and practising different things in the water, sometimes practising one thing for hours. Seeing his range of skill and confidence developing has been amazing.

It made me reflect on how often I perceive and believe something to be impossible. Yet, there can be one tool, one person, any one thing or being that can support you. Like a missing key that you find and just like with Cesar: it "clicks".

It can be hard when you don't know what type of key you need or what exactly it is that you are looking for - but when you find it, whether inside or outside of yourself: Man, it's worth it!