"I Don't Want To! *Grumble!* But Wait... Why Am I Kind of Having Fun?"

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone,

Have you ever faced something, whether self-imposed or a request from another person that you absolutely did NOT want to do, but once you actually started, it wasn't so bad?

In fact, in the process, you may have found yourself... GASP... having... FUN. (Don't worry, I won't tell anyone). Maybe you even went on to embark on a new hobby, interest, or skill that you otherwise had no idea that you would like.

I have a tall, white friend I've known since childhood who is, like most of us, set in his ways. Every day, he would go to a local Chinese restaurant with with his Dad and business associates for lunch. My friend hates change above all else and was thoroughly happy using a good old American shovel (spoon) and (pitch) fork, until one day his Dad decided to start hiding his American silverware and refusing to allow the waitress to bring him anything other than chopsticks from then on.

It was a matter of either going hungry or learning to eat with two overgrown, flameless match sticks (which I myself can't do either). The funny part is, he eventually became so adept at using chopsticks that he could he pick up individual grains of rice from his lunch companions forks before they even had a chance to taste their food. Ironically, he also got to a point where he now carries his own chopsticks and refuses to eat with anything else at most restaurants of any kind. (Have I mentioned my friend isn't the most flexible person... One his ways are set, no matter how you set them, it's over. What can I say... We birds of a feather... like the same kinds of food! )

Several weeks ago a good friend of mine asked if I'd help edit/proofread a book she's been working on. I found this to be highly laughable because anyone who reads my posts here would know that that my eyes often skip over my own mistakes, let alone be able to fine-tune anyone else's writing. For this reason, I limit my "editing" work to my Mom's Christmas letters, and even then, it's a task she's retired from my service for the past few years.

My book-writing friend is one of the sweetest, most dedicated Christians I know, so it's hard to resist such a sincere and well-meaning person, but like Moses, I kept giving her a steady stream of excuses. However, I couldn't help but eventually give in to her persistence, and finally agreed to look at two chapters as a "trial run."

To be honest, I didn't think I'd be able to contribute much because I hate criticizing others' works. Writing is such a personal thing that I tend to value personal expression over staunch formalities. But I knew my friend would want my feedback to be truly honest... And to my surprise, as I read through her pages... I began to see her writing as a very long letter, and so, I've been spending a lot of time "writing her back". When I put the task in this frame of mind it became a lot more enjoyable, and maybe even fun, seeing as exchanging correspondence is one of my favorite hobbies. Back in the day, I used to write typed 16-page letters on a regular basis to inmates (one in particular had a great sense of humor and I used to joke that he was my "captive audience"--and his correspondence in reply was usually just as long.)

I'm actually very surprised at how much I've been enjoying working on this here and there before and after work. But then again, I know my friend will take everything I say with an open mind and we won't get into any big arguments over things like a misplaced comma or difference in opinion over punctuation!

I even have to admit that I've found myself liking the work so much that... Maybe I should ask Mom if she needs any help with that Christmas letter (surely she will bend to a request from one her favorite elves...)

How about the rest of you?

 

[Roh_Chris]

I have one experience but this happened when I was a child.

When I was about 12 years old, my parents decided that I must learn music. They hired a piano instructor to come home and teach me how to play. We had a small CASIO keyboard that my parents received as a wedding gift and did not use. I don't know I disliked music or whether I disliked the instructor. I literally hated those classes. I used to throw tantrums, run around the house, pretend to be sick and try every trick to avoid those classes. I remember once that the instructor even complained to my mom that he cannot teach me unless I cooperate.

Today, I love music. I love playing the guitar. I love playing the keyboard. I admit that I'm not a professional at playing them, but I enjoy playing whatever I know. And I want to learn more. Thus, an activity that I detested has turned out to be something that I love the most!

 

[Oncefallen]

I'm not entirely surprised Roh_Chris. I don't think it's uncommon for children to despise certain things solely because mom and dad want us to do/like them. As a kid I despised classical music, as I figured out later in life, solely because it was what my folks listened to most when I was growing up. Although it still isn't my first choice for musical styles, as an adult I have a profound respect for the masters and I do, from time to time, set the truck radio to a classical station when I just need to unwind.

 

[Roh_Chris]

I agree, Oncefallen. As children, we may have despised and complained about certain things because our parents insisted on doing them, only to find that we now enjoy the same things.

There is a phrase which my colleague often quotes "Change is the only constant."

If we are resistant to positive change, then we will lose out on an opportunity to become better.

 

[zeroturbulence]

Your chopsticks story reminds me of my own story...

I once had a vietnamese freind who took me to a vietnamese restaurant after work and I of course asked for a fork since I didn't know how to use chopsticks. It was one of these small, non-fancy vietnamese eateries that seemed to be popping up in every shopping plaza in town. The food was very basic but delicious (just some vegetables and ground meat in a very light wrap and some dipping sauce). I think it was called spring rolls.

Anyway when I first saw the food I was like 'No problem, I can eat this egg-roll like thing with my fingers', but the wrap was so delicate that it fell apart no matter how carefully I tried to lift the little roll. So.. there I was eating with my fork, when somewhere in the midst of this delicious meal I realized that I was the only one in the whole restaurant using a fork. :/

Well that wouldn't do, so I asked my friend to teach me how to use chopsticks. That first time I could barely keep them from falling out of my hand and didn't think I'd ever get the hang of it, but we went back again several times and one night something just sort of clicked in my brain and I 'got it'. I was so amazed at my newfound skill and was going around trying to pick things up like my napkin, a pen, noodles in soup! I got so good at it that I was easily eating rice with them and picking up anything I could think of. Eating rice with chopsticks really is the mark of a skilled chopstick user lol! So yea, it went from frustrating to fun, and now I sometimes get to teach others how to use them.