Learning New Things

I introduced Wil to grass today.  I, thinking there would be no problem, sat him down and started to unload my books to study.  Imagine my surprise when he screamed and scrambled over to me, practically jumping into my lap!  So, I turned him around and showed him my feet in the grass, then did something else while I let him look at the grass from my lap.  Eventually, he dared to touch it; he slowly extended his finger until it touched one blade of grass.  Jumping, Wil hurriedly pulled his finger back.  A few more seconds, and he put out his hand to brush it over the grass.  Next came the feet, which was still too scary.  I simply arranged myself so I was sitting with my legs on either side of him, but with him sitting in the grass.  "Grass,"  I said.  "This is grass."  Soon he was running all over the place, every so often stooping down to feel the grass.  I could see his new discovery shining in his eyes!

Now, what would have happened had I assumed from his first reaction that he didn't like grass and whisked him away to some place familiar?  It certainly was my first instinct.  I guess I've started to realize that he's getting that thing called independence - learning to rely on himself sometimes.  It simultaneously breaks my heart and causes so much joy. 

And, as usual, my philosophical side kicks in.  Life is like learning about grass.  When we encounter something new in life, like meeting a new person or learning a new skill, many times our first reaction is to run away so we don't have to face it.  But, if we can just muster up the courage to face our fear, we may find that what we were so scared of becomes a great asset in our life.  Maybe I'll take a lesson from Wil and try something new today!