Imagine this: the sky flashes blue, your board is waxed, and instead of springing in your knees, you feel a subdued panic. That’s what diving is. You mount the ladder, your feet seem stuck, yet a spark of excitement pushes you into space. You forget about taxes, cholesterol, and why socks disappear from the dryer while you’re tumbling. The water hits your body, chilled but not mean, and you come up, smiling and feeling lighter. Some people think that divers are part fish. I guess they’re part philosopher because they reflect about the ups and downs of life between each swan dive. Get in touch with Adam McManus Etobicoke
Flash forward: the mountains are shining, and the snow looks like sugar on the peaks. When you ski, you breathe in a lot of chilly air and your calves feel like they’re going to burst. There’s nothing like sliding down a slope with your eyes watering, your knees humming, and your mind as empty as a mailbox that’s been forgotten. Hold on. That’s one idea. Don’t run into the tree. Your pals chase you like clumsy penguins, skis slice, and poles poke. Do people ski to go fast or to drink cocoa afterward? Probably both. The true winners chuckle about it even after they spill their cocoa.
Change scenes again. Tennis: the lines on the court are as sharp as pressed shirts, and the sound of the balls hitting the ground is like a metronome for ambition. It’s not so much about getting aces in tennis as it is about reading minds. What’s the difference between a Wimbledon champion and the typical person? Courage, intelligence, and a good backhand. Even the finest tennis players make mistakes. Everyone can play, even if they have blisters. Serve. Rally. Grunt. Tennis may be a discourse between opponents, with fuzzy yellow balls flying back and forth along with thoughts.
Now let’s talk about money, which is something that will make most people want to dive, ski away, or throw a ball at the source. It doesn’t have to be toast that is dry. There is rhythm, balance, and the occasional wild guess as you count coins, just like in sports. People who play it safe tend to win, while people who want to take risks go for broke. Markets go up and down like tennis balls, and portfolios can drop faster than a diver’s tuck. The excitement comes not just from collecting figures, but also from seeing how money affects plans for the future and, more often than not, breakfast arguments.
Is there a common thread that runs through these hobbies and activities? Of course. Each one teaches how to be strong. Divers get ready for the splash. For the faceplant, skiers. Tennis players have to deal with hesitation between serves. Anyone who has trouble with money understands that a flat paycheck may hurt more than a belly flop. But everyone keeps going, getting a bit braver every day.
So whether you’re hanging from a springboard, sliding down a hill, hitting forehands, or sorting spreadsheets, look for things that make your heart race. If you fall on your face, that’s good! Get rid of the snow, climb the ladder, check your balance, and try again.