Yhem Speaks

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It was a random day, just another evening stroll like I always do. Something to clear my mind, stretch my legs, and sometimes, escape my own thoughts. The park was calm, filled with the soft whir of distant wheels, and the kind of breeze that only shows up when you’re not rushing anywhere.

I decided to sit for a moment. That’s when I saw him.

A young boy, no older than six or seven, was learning to ride a bike. And not just coasting with training wheels or gentle assistance but actually riding, on two wobbly tires, down a short path with more determination than balance.

From where I sat, I could see the effort in every attempt. He’d push forward, the front wheel shaking with uncertainty, and almost predictably, he’d fall. Again and again. But what struck me wasn’t the fall. It was how fast he got back up.There were no tantrums, no dramatic flops onto the grass. Just… a little dusting off, a shake of the head, and another go.

I found myself frozen in that moment, watching like I’d paid for a front-row seat. His dad called out encouragement, but honestly? His confidence didn’t seem to need it. He wasn’t embarrassed. He wasn’t worried that people were watching. In fact, he looked around, smiled to himself, and said to his dad with a tone that carried more courage than most adults muster in boardrooms:
“I’ll try again tomorrow.”

And that part stuck with me.

We live in a world that worships perfection. We celebrate the final product, the polished version, the astonishing landing. But what if we paused to celebrate the trying? The effort. The not-yet-there. The “I’ll be back tomorrow.”

That little boy didn’t master riding that day. But he mastered something we often forget as adults: the strength to keep going without shame. To fall without quitting. To say, “Not today, but maybe tomorrow.”

And isn’t that a kind of confidence too?
Not the loud, showy kind that needs applause but the quiet, steady belief that progress is still progress, even when it’s messy.

I remembered Dr. Carol Dweck’s book on mindset where she wrote “I work on something a long time and I start to figure it out”. I’m certain this boy has a growth mindset and if he continues to confront his challenge daily, he’ll make progress with time.

So this month, I’m carrying that with me.

Is it the wobbly start or the stumbles or the dirt on the knees…That’s all part of the progress.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to be going even if you are tired, messy or unsure. Your confidence and zeal is aiming at growth through your perseverance and with that little voice you whisper to yourself: “I’ll try again tomorrow,”

That’s enough.

That’s strength.