Listen Carefully, Observe Steadfastly

Dear Son,

I still vividly remember when Dhoni hit that massive six in the 20th over—we both jumped in joy! Although I've never been a huge fan of the IPL since its inception, however watching a few overs has always been enjoyable. While I know enough about cricket to share some nuances with you, I cherish those moments when we watched the games this year together. In India, cricket, like movies, holds a special place in our hearts.

However, I find it a bit challenging to concentrate on the game when you ask many questions. I love listening to the commentators, like Harsha Bhogle, Ravi Shastri, and Sunil Gavaskar. Their insights and command over English enrich my understanding of the game. When you talk continuously, it sometimes distracts me from enjoying their masterful commentary.

Turning to Karate, as you're learning, I naturally want you to grasp all its aspects to advance. Your teacher has shared a 20-step Kata with us, expecting that mastering it will help you progress to the next belt. Since I do not know anything about? Karate, I had to watch the instructional video several times to understand Kata's moves. Yet, your frequent, sometimes off-topic, questions made it hard for me to focus.

I realize you're just over 5 years old and naturally curious about everything. Your questions never irritated me; on the contrary, they show your eagerness to learn. However, I want to stress the importance of listening carefully and observing steadfastly. These skills are crucial for understanding the intricacies of both cricket and karate. As you grow, you won't always have the opportunity to actively participate in everything to learn about it. By being attentive and careful listener, you'll be able to absorb the finer points and develop more relevant questions. Remember the three names I mentioned above, are the one of the greatest brains in the game of cricket. How can we miss their expert comments on cricket, it will up our knowledge of the game.?

Remember, the experts like the cricket commentators and your Karate teacher have valuable knowledge to share. When you have the chance to learn from the best, try to hold your questions until the end. This patience will help you refine your queries and clear your doubts more effectively.

I appreciate your enthusiasm and love our conversations, but remember, constant chattering can be tiring and exhausting too. Being mindful of when and what you speak helps conserve your energy and improves your ability to learn. Developing the skill of being a good listener and observer will enable you to master a great competency and that is —the "First Time Right" (FTR) approach—in your endeavors.

Let's see who wins the IPL in 2024 and how quickly you can earn your next Karate belt. I wish you all the best in these pursuits.

Loads of love,

Papa

Stay focused.