Sometimes, all it takes is one phrase, spoken or read at the right time by a trusted person. Just a few simple words can carry so much weight, transform your perspective and open up new ways of thinking.
We’re constantly absorbing information and taking in what others say, but once in a while there’s magic sprinkled in that perks the ears. For me, this often occurs while I’m reading, which is why I have notebooks filled with quotes, books dog-eared and underlined, and a mind that is constantly spinning. Lately, though, these moments of clarity seem to come when I’m engaged in some form of physical practice—whether it's surfing or on a yoga mat.
Here are two brief examples to explain what I mean:
The first one happened out on the water—arguably the ultimate testing ground for the school of life. I had been working on adjusting my paddle technique (moving from a windmilling motion to a more controlled pull and grab), but it wasn’t until Luke told me one simple thing that my body finally understood how to catch a wave. He told me to "lean forward."
It might sound like an obvious piece of advice and may not mean much to you as the reader, but this had a significantly profound impact on how many waves I caught afterwards. I have a longer board, and because my weight sits on the tail, I can easily paddle into a wave but struggle to catch it. The wave simply doesn’t pick up the front of the board—there’s too much space between the board and wave. It had been frustrating to come so close, yet I was dumbfounded on why I kept missing the wave.
All it took was shifting my chest and weight toward the front of the board. This subtle change allowed the wave to catch the nose, and suddenly, I was able to catch more waves. Of course if I had been taking lessons with an instructor I would have figured this out long ago, but the two insignificant words “lean forward” are now forever etched into my brain. The result was drastic, and hopefully permanent.
This experience served as a powerful reminder to me of how small adjustments, guided by words that resonate, can have a profound impact on our actions and outcomes.
The other cue, and the initial inspiration for this post, actually came while doing yoga. I was practicing handstands and implementing a cue I had recently learned that completely changed the way I now approach them. I heard it while I was visiting my home studio under the guise of my incredible teacher Steph, who sets aside time every class to focus on handstands. And while she has given me a plethora of cues over countless classes, the one that clicked was the simple instruction to “reach your neck towards your fingertips.” That single phrase has been the key to getting me into a handstand ever since, every single time. When I repeat it in my mind during practice, it helps stabilize my body and locks me into position.
What I love about these cues is that they aren’t one-size-fits-all. What works for me might not work for someone else, and that’s the beauty of it. The right words, at the right moment, can completely shift your reality.
This idea isn’t limited to just physical activities; it can apply to any area of life. If we remain open to others’ perspectives and advice, sometimes all it takes is a few simple words to help us see things differently.
So, I’m curious: What words or phrases have resonated with you? What phrases have had a lasting impact on your life, even if they seem insignificant to others? I’d love for this to be a conversation, so please share your thoughts with me. :)
Thanks for reading about my small aha moments!
xo,
Lili