Almost everything I need to know I learn from my grandkids—at least, it seems that way lately.

A recent lesson came in a Voxer conversation I enjoyed with my grandson who is living in India with his family. Voxer is an app that works somewhat like a walkie-talkie; you can leave messages and listen when it’s convenient. It’s good when there is a 12 ½ hour time difference between Seattle and India.

Seven-year-old Graham left a lengthy message about “Turnabout Day” scheduled for his first-grade class at school. Apparently, this is a day when the kids take turns teaching a variety of subjects. The teacher gets to sit and listen. Graham listed the topics he would be teaching which included math, swimming and Hindi as a second language. I responded, “If I were there, I would most likely attend the Hindi class; it would be great to learn a second language.”

Immediately, Graham recorded and sent his response.

“You can do that right now, Nani.”

And with that preface, he launched into a one-person dialogue which I believe was a lesson on introducing one’s self to another person. “First, you say….., then the other person says……, then you say…….., then the other person says…..” Yikes, it went on for several minutes; I did catch the word “Namaste” which I had learned when I visited them in India, but the rest of it bypassed my comprehension!

What I did learn from Graham was much bigger: it is the principle of “You can do that right now.” He didn’t respond to me with, “Well, Nani, when you get your act together….” Or “When you’re older…” or, “If you were younger…” or, “When you get your Master’s Degree…” No! “You can do that right now, Nani.”

If I want to learn elementary Hindi, I’m going to have to review Graham’s message and the language lesson again. In the meantime, I’m wondering what I want to learn and experience that I’m putting off. What can I do right NOW?

How about you? Can you take one step toward your goal? Toward achieving your dream or pursuing your passion?

One step. You can do that right now!

written by Leona Bergstrom, Director, Re-Ignite
Photo courtesy of CanStock