In 2003, during my senior high year, I learned a life lesson I’ll never forget.

My classmates and I were a few days away from a cheer dance competition. I was one of the “lifters” (bases), but at some point, the bases also need to dance. I don’t mind doing exercise-type dance moves.

But when we were being taught a comical dance routine, I had a rough time.

I struggled because it didn’t fit the (tough, manly) self-image I had back then.

So I resisted. I made excuses, explaining that it’s so hard — that I can’t do it. I became a pain in the *ss at that point.

Our class president, who was starting to get frustrated, approached me and told me straight in the face (in Filipino):

“Lahat ng bagay natututunan! (Everything is learnable!)”. 

At first, I had a hard time hearing it, but as time went on, those words continued to stick with me. And to this day, whenever I try to learn something new (knowledge or skills) I think about that moment often.

So, if you find yourself making excuses, just remember:

Everything is Learnable.