Alysa Liu’s Best Advice For Her Siblings: "find What You Love As Much As I Love The Ice"
You know those moments? The ones where you’re scrolling through your phone, maybe sipping your morning coffee, and you stumble across something that just…clicks? Something that makes you pause and think, "Hey, that's actually really smart." Well, I had one of those moments recently, and it involved figure skating. Yep, figure skating.
Now, I’m not exactly someone who can land a triple Lutz (heck, I trip over my own feet walking down the street), but I do appreciate the dedication and passion it takes to be at the top of your game. And that’s where Alysa Liu comes in. She’s a young, incredibly talented figure skater who’s already achieved so much. But what really got me was the advice she gave to her younger siblings.
She said, and I’m paraphrasing a bit here, that her best advice for them is to “find what you love as much as I love the ice.” Isn't that beautiful? It’s so simple, so straightforward, and yet, it’s packed with a whole lot of wisdom.
It’s Not Just About the Glitz and the Glamour
When we think of elite athletes like Alysa, we often picture the medals, the spotlights, the standing ovations. And those things are amazing, for sure. But behind all that sparkle is a whole lot of sweat, early mornings, and, most importantly, a deep, unshakeable love for what they do.
Imagine a baker, hunched over their dough at 4 AM, flour dusting their nose. They’re not doing it because someone’s paying them a million dollars (though that would be nice!). They’re doing it because they love the smell of yeast, the feel of the dough, the joy of creating something delicious. That’s the kind of passion Alysa is talking about.
It’s like when your kid absolutely loses their mind over building with LEGOs, or when your best friend can talk for hours about their garden, or that one uncle who can fix anything with a bit of duct tape and a smile. That’s “finding what you love.” It’s that thing that makes your eyes light up, that makes you forget about the time, that makes the effort feel… well, not like effort at all.
Why This Matters to YOU (Yes, You!)
Okay, so you’re not a world-class skater. You’re not a Michelin-star chef. You’re probably just trying to get through your Tuesday. But Alysa’s advice? It’s for everyone.
Think about it. How many of us are just going through the motions in our jobs or our hobbies? We’re doing what we should be doing, what we think we’re supposed to be doing, but is there that spark? Is there that feeling of genuine excitement that makes you jump out of bed (or at least roll out of it with a little more enthusiasm)?
Sometimes, we get so caught up in the daily grind, in the bills, in the to-do lists, that we forget to check in with ourselves. We forget to ask: “What actually makes my heart sing?”
Maybe it’s not as dramatic as skating on ice. Maybe it’s something quiet and personal. Maybe it’s the satisfaction of finally organizing your spice rack, or the pure bliss of finishing a good book, or the silly joy of singing off-key in the shower. These are the little things that add color to our lives, that make the everyday feel a little less… grey.
It's Okay to Be Awkward and Still Love It
Alysa's advice isn't about being perfect. It's about finding what you love. And when you’re first starting out, it’s often messy and awkward. Think of learning to ride a bike. You wobble, you fall, your knees get scraped. But you get back up, because the idea of cruising down the street without training wheels is just too cool to give up on.
That feeling of wanting to keep trying, even when it’s hard, that’s the hallmark of true love for something. It’s that inner voice that whispers, “Just one more try.” It’s not about impressing others; it’s about pleasing yourself. It’s about that personal satisfaction that no one can take away from you.
Consider someone who loves to knit. Their first scarf might be a little lopsided, the stitches uneven. But the process of creating something with their hands, the repetitive motion, the colors of the yarn – that’s what they adore. They’re not doing it to win a knitting competition; they’re doing it because it brings them peace and joy.
The ripple Effect of Passion
And here’s the really cool part: when you find something you love, it doesn’t just affect you. It has a ripple effect. Your energy changes. Your outlook brightens. You become a more interesting, more engaging person to be around.
Imagine talking to someone who’s genuinely excited about their passion. They could be talking about collecting stamps, or birdwatching, or obscure historical facts, and you’d find yourself leaning in, captivated. That’s the power of passion. It’s infectious.
Alysa’s siblings might not become Olympic skaters. And that’s perfectly fine! But if they find something that lights them up the way the ice lights up Alysa, imagine the amazing things they’ll do. They’ll approach their homework with more curiosity, their chores with a bit more willingness, and their future with a whole lot more confidence.
So, What’s Your Ice?
Take a moment. Close your eyes, if you can. What’s that thing that makes you forget about your worries, even just for a little while? What’s that activity that you find yourself drawn to, over and over again?
It doesn't have to be a grand, world-changing pursuit. It can be as simple as learning a new recipe, or spending time in nature, or even just mastering that tricky video game level. The key is that it’s yours. It’s something that resonates with your soul, something that makes you feel truly alive.
Alysa Liu, with her incredible talent and her wise words, is reminding us all that while success is wonderful, it’s the genuine love for what we do that truly nourishes us. So go on, be like Alysa. And find your ice. Find what makes your heart do a triple axel.
