Storytime

My nephew is a mysterious 7-year-old boy. Now, why is he mysterious? Well, he keeps you guessing.

• He is quiet but loud.

• He is timid but strong.

• He is shy but outgoing.

• I cannot predict his next move.

It is his superpower. I think his hair gives him strength. He refuses to cut it, even though his mom has tried and tried and tried—failing every time, lol.

He is courageous and daring. He is calculated, intelligent, and humble.

Any parent would be proud to call him their son.

Like any little boy, they will encounter adversity that will have them question everything.

His weakness is his tendency to get down on himself for making mistakes. He is still very young and should not worry about the little stuff.

His dad saw this early on and gave advise that he was not ready to receive.

He said,

Throughout the years, my nephew has tried various sports. He did not like soccer even though he played with his sister. He landed on a sport that shocked his parents because he enjoyed it so much. It was a sigh of relief

It was Jiu-Jitsu.

As all boys have testosterone that needs to be released physically, it was the perfect sport.

He got to grapple, run, jump, roll, and everything in between.

He particularly enjoyed the ghee he wore. It made him feel special like he could take on the world. The gym was not big, but to him, it was a magical place where he came out of his shell. The smell of punching bags and mats filled the air. He thought to himself this is my second home.

The adversary

At Jiu Jitsu, he learned new things from every meeting. He got hurt occasionally, but nothing he couldn't brush off. It was the right amount of physical activity he needed to build his confidence.

After a few months, he was ready to level up. Boy, was this a proud moment for everyone! He was grinning from ear to ear.

All the hard work, sweat, and tears brought him closer to a new stripe on the belt.

— Well, not many tears because of his hair and his strength.

With wins and self-improvement come challenges. In this case, there was an adversary. This kid was good.

My nephew never stood a chance against him. He fought and fought his way but always got pinned.

As the months went on, they both got better. But my nephew started getting exponentially better. He found his flow. He recalled what his dad said, "Don't sweat the small stuff."

The small stuff was getting in the way of his advancement and improvement. He started to develop thick skin without thinking about it.

— He began to understand what his dad said earlier.

Jui Jistu started to bring about more confidence like nothing before. He started to embrace the losses. He learns to move on and focus on fixing mistakes. There was a fire building inside of him with every match, every roll, every class. The flames got bigger and bigger.

He was ready to go full force.

(let’s take a closer look at the adversary)

The adversary was a nice kid. In terms of skills and experience, he was just several levels above my nephew. He was a bit taller and stronger, too.

Well, that did not matter.

(Jui-Jitsu is built around skill and technique, no matter how big or strong your opponent is. You can always take down a less experienced person.)

Once my nephew fully understood Dad's advice, he unlocked his potential.

He started moving up in ranks and getting stripes on his belt. When he faced his rival, he was able to match his every move, counter every move, and foresee the next move. My nephew was now at his adversary's level.

His dad was so proud, watching his son build that thick skin, gain confidence, and overcome the small stuff.

I can picture his face in a typical proud Popa moment: a face of acceptance, eyes of joy, and a slight grin of disbelief.

Three takeaways I learned

Letting the small stuff get in the way will hide your true potential.

My nephew needed a strong adversary to go against to be able to understand this concept.

Many of us need to do this. We may know the solution but need experience to overcome the problem.

One

Even though we may explain something to our little ones as best we can, they will only see the meaning by going through real-world experiences. We have to be patient. And will let them struggle, knowing they will understand sooner or later.

Also, include a gentle reminder that they are on the right path and not to give up on the journey. There are struggles and obstacles, but those are the best teachers.

Two

What does success look like?

For my nephew, it was overcoming the adversary. The adversary can translate to any problem your little one will face. We can give them the best advice, but they must still resolve their problem. We can and should coach them along the way.

The harder the struggle, the greater the victory.

Three

My little one struggles with the impossible. He wants to climb a wall taller than him, but he gets upset when he cannot do it. He tries and tries, but there is no way he can climb the wall. He will not forget, and as soon as he is tall enough, he will climb over that 4-foot fence.

The impossible seems impossible at first, but with some time and strategy, the impossible is an afterthought.

Dad joke of the week

Something to think about

Thank you for taking the time to read through the newsletter. This will be the last newsletter on parenting, as I will rebrand everything. If you are not looking to build a brand I would encourage you to unsubscribe.

All the best,

— Aurelio

Disclaimer
_{Always check with your partner and pediatrician before implementing any new practices involving your children. The information provided is meant for educational purposes. Please do your research, as I have provided my thoughts, experience, and perspectives on the matter at hand.}