Growing up in the pre-digital era, I learned valuable lessons that shaped my work ethic. One such experience was during my senior year of high school when my family got a revolutionary new device:
the typewriter.
In those days, if you made a mistake while typing, you had to carefully line up a white ribbon with the erroneous letter, type over it until it disappeared, and then continue. I had taken typing classes and mastered sentences like "The quick lazy fox jumped over the brown fence," which used every letter in the alphabet. I had skills, but when it came to writing an English paper that had to be perfect, I threw all conventional typing techniques out the window.
Making a mistake was way too costly, so…
I resorted to using my index finger, meticulously pressing each key to ensure the correct letter appeared. Despite my caution, I inevitably made mistakes, forcing me to rip out the paper, throw it away, and start over. It took me five hours to type three error-free pages. The process was as slow as a lazy fox, but I was determined to jump over this fence, no matter how long it took.
Looking back, I realize that some of the "inconveniences" I had growing up – typewriting, attending lengthy Board of Education meetings with my mom, driving back and forth to the store for forgotten items – have made me the person I am today. In an era before smartphones and instant access to information and services, I had to put in the effort and be intentional even with the little things. Whether it was using the Encyclopedia Britannica or visiting the library—it wasn't a quick process, but it taught me the value of diligence and perseverance.
The patience I developed while typing allowed me to approach tasks like writing a book with dedication and enthusiasm. While writing Living With a Seal, I must have read it 500 times, each time making edits. It was a long and sometimes laborious process, but I knew that the end result would be worth it.
So, the next time you find yourself struggling with a difficult task or feeling frustrated by the obstacles in your path, remember that these experiences are shaping you into a stronger, grittier version of yourself.
Embrace the challenge and keep typing away until you've jumped over that brown fence.
