Cherry on Top · A Story to Explore
As If the World Wasn't Watching
Sometimes the most wonderful discovery happens when things don't go according to plan.
The Story
Jenny and Sassy are learning agility together. There are obstacles to navigate, skills to practice, cues to remember, and approximately seventeen thousand opportunities for Jenny to discover that her brain and her mouth aren't always communicating.
Sassy, meanwhile, has some very definite opinions about how quickly the Adventure should proceed.
One day, while walking toward the start line, Jenny meant to say: “Here.”
What came out was: “Heel.”
Oops.
Sassy knows that heel means moving into a particular position beside Jenny. It doesn't matter whether Jenny is standing still, walking forward, or even moving backward. Heel means heel.
And Sassy? She heard her cue. She sprang into position. Beautifully.
Jenny burst out laughing. Not because Sassy had done something silly. Because Sassy had done something wonderful.
LOOK WHAT SHE KNOWS!
Jenny had given the wrong cue, and Sassy had responded exactly as she'd been taught. They hadn't even reached the start line, and already the Adventure was getting interesting.
There was no reason to feel embarrassed. No need to wonder what anyone watching might think. No imaginary judge holding up a scorecard that said: JENNY: WRONG WORD. TWO POINTS DEDUCTED.
Sassy would like to appeal that ruling. She performed her cue perfectly, thank you very much.
Jenny was delighted. Somewhere along the trail, she'd discovered the freedom to make a mistake without turning it into a verdict about herself; to welcome an instructor's feedback as another opportunity to learn; to laugh, experiment, and discover what her Adventure partner understands.
Jenny and Sassy have a big dream. They want to keep learning, competing, and seeing just how far their Adventure might take them. Maybe they'll reach every goal. Maybe they won't. Either way, there's an entire Adventure happening between here and there.
When she's out there with Sassy, sometimes the rest of the world simply melts away.
It's Jenny and Sassy. Learning. Laughing. Becoming.
As if the world wasn't watching.
Through the Traveler's Lens
Have you ever been so absorbed in something you loved that you forgot to worry about what anyone else thought?
Maybe you were painting, dancing, building something, learning a new skill, or playing with a dog who had creative ideas about the rules.
What did it feel like to be completely involved in what you were doing?
When you make a mistake, does it become information, something to laugh about, a chance to try again—or a worry about what everyone else must think?
Whose feedback helps you grow, and whose opinions don't need to come along for the Adventure?
What might become possible if you gave yourself a little more freedom to experiment?
A Little Borrowed Belief
Jenny didn't arrive at this freedom overnight. There were years of experiences, mistakes, questions, discoveries, and practice between the person who once cried after a competition and the person who now laughs with Sassy over an unexpected heel.
Jenny is still Becoming. She still has things to learn, mistakes to make, and dreams she might not reach. But she doesn't have to wait until she's accomplished those dreams to enjoy the Adventure.
That's a little piece of Cherry on Top. Not the ribbon. Not the score. Not the finish line.
The freedom to be fully there for the life you're living along the way.
Sassy would like the record to show that she knew exactly what she was doing. Jenny is the one who needs more practice with her words.