Complete the step.

Years ago, when I started learning to dance, I had all these "hell thoughts" in my head...

You can't dance. You are a pain to watch. Why are you making your teacher bear this? Why don't you just quit?

My teacher saw me do the choreography and said simply, "Saurabh, complete the step."

My hand was only going halfway up and it needed to go full up.

That was useful feedback. That was something I could change.

We all need teachers who do this for us. A sketching teacher who tells us which lines need a shade darker. A swimming teacher who tells us that the shoulder needs to turn a bit more during the pull. A yoga teacher who puts a bolster under you so that you can do the asana better.

Teachers who don't compare us to others, don't berate us for being slow learners, who help us learn the skill we are eager to learn.

I am lucky to keep bumping into such generous souls.