"...but it is impossible to pedal up this slope...!"

"...but it is impossible to pedal up this slope...!"

...declared the little missy.

After having learned to cycle on flat surfaces, I thought it was time for her next learning. Cycling up a slope and then learning to control the speed while going down one. There is a cycling park (with a little flyover) nearby, so yesterday evening we went there.

For the first round, madam just stopped cycling within about 3-4 metres of the upslope. Apparently, it was impossible to pedal up that slope. "Ok, I'll give you a slight push throughout the upslope, but then you are on your own down the slope. Keep your hands on the brakes, you will need to use them to control your speed, else you risk hitting something or someone if you lose control,'' I said. With some struggle, she managed to go down the slope. "Before you approach the upslope next time, increase your focus and pack in all your energy to speed up just before the start. It's difficult to start an upslope at slow speeds,'' I told her.

For the second round, she managed to go beyond the first few metres on her own up the slope but again stopped, looking back at me, her eyes saying "see, I told you, impossible!" So I again gave her a push & a pep talk. "Every time you go upslope, all you need to do is go a bit further on your own than the previous round. At the end of 20 rounds, you will be able to go up all the way without my help then" I assured her. 

For the next several rounds, she made progress, but by the time the park shut, we had not accomplished the task of going up the entire slope without support. Besides that, in the second last round down the slope, she took a nice little tumble. "I did not use the brakes as I was sure I could go further without braking, but then I hit the bricks on the side & fell. But I am not hurt." she claimed. "Never mind, but be prepared for some bruises and blood - some of these falls can be nasty. So be careful, yet be prepared" I warned her, as we walked out of the park, drenched in sweat, thanks to the relentless summer heat.

Be it a new relationship, goal, assignment, role or habit :

- Till we are on a steady surface, it all seems fine. It is the ups & downs that bring new challenges.

- Focussed energy & agility prepare us better for facing the steep upslopes.

- Even then, we all may need some support initially. Thereafter, only multiple iterations/practice can help us get better subsequently.

- When things are going great (effortless downhill ride) the application of brakes becomes crucial. Use too little & we risk a mishap. Use too much & we risk ruining the joy of a thrilling journey.

- Falls & bruises are imminent. While nothing can truly prepare us for them, being mindful about their possibility still might help.

We could not achieve the entire goal yesterday. But we aren't going away anywhere. Neither is the cycle nor the park. And most definitely not the slope. We are gonna be there again to conquer that upslope and mindfully enjoy the downslope.