Technically my first time was about 6 years ago, when I was senior in high school. I half-heartedly attempted to learn how to play, and when I didn't immediately start getting spares, I gave up. Since then I have found countless excuses to NOT try again. But our mantra around here this semester has been "When in Korea..." Meaning that since we came all the way around the world, why not go ahead and do other things we've never done before - and might not have the guts to do at home. For me it's included things like travelling solo in a country where I don't know the language, taking Tae kwon do, talking to, and taking pictures with, random strangers, living in a dorm, and running. And bowling.
Please don't tell me your lowest or highest score - I don't want to know! I am quite proud of the fact that at 23-years old, I bowled a 70 the first time I played. Well, the second. And what made the difference between that first time - I think I broke 15? - and this time? Not sure. But I have some ideas.
1. Experience. No, not experience rolling bowling balls, but experience learning new skills. When it comes to bowling, or pronouncing sounds you never knew existed, or dressing 5 different types of burgers in 1 minute, new skills always take time to pick up. But my experience learning the latter skills in that list prepared me to pick up the first one. Because I've learned to watch every movement, understand its purpose, and either mimic it or improve it. And when I don't understand - to ask for an explanation. Whether it means watching the shape of the mouth when attempting to pronounce German, watching the order in which my trainer dressed the burgers, or watching the form my friends used when they bowled.
2. Confidence. I'm sure we've all heard it before: "Confidence is key!" In my case, I had zero confidence in my ability to bowl, however, I had confidence that I could learn. I don't have confidence because of what I know or what I can do, but because of what I know I can learn, and what I know I could do given the right amount of time and training.
3. Teacher. In this case, one of my friends. The nice thing is, he'd done the same thing I was doing - analyzed every move he made and figured out what was good and what should change. So because we think similarly, it was easy for him to tell me what to do, and easy for me to grasp what he was trying to communicate.
And, there you have it - my attempt to analyze and understand why I sometimes succeed (moderately) even when (mostly) expecting utter failure.
Eeeps. I think I should print this out and keep it as a lesson forever.
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