SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Cody Stokes, a 23-year-old quiet and witty Californian, developed a fascination with the Rubik’s Cube when he received one as a gift from his close friend, Yoppi.
It was, of course, just a toy, but he soon became obsessed with solving it. Hours turned into days and days into weeks as Stokes immersed himself in the world of cubing, learning algorithms, and perfecting his skills.
Stokes said he didn’t know that his friend’s love for puzzles would take him on an incredible journey.
“I’ve always kind of liked puzzles and I asked him, you know how hard it would be for me to learn, and he told me it might take a while, but if you stick with it, you can learn,” Stokes said.
As Stokes dedication grew, he realized he wasn’t content with just solving the cube; he wanted to start helping others learn to solve it as well. He figured that by sharing his hobby of solving Rubik’s Cubes with people in his community, along with tips, techniques, and strategies, it would create a space for those who love solving puzzles.
Stokes added that solving Rubik’s cubes help stimulate the brain.
“It’s a challenge for your brain, and honestly, it’s one of the few things that I can do that impresses me. It’s pretty remarkable in my own mind how I can recognize a pattern, and my brain can instantly pull out the muscle memory of the correct algorithm,” Stokes said.
However, his journey was more than just solving a puzzle. Through the Rubik’s Cube, he learned patience, determination, and the power of community. He began using what was once a hobby, and now a skill, for educational purposes, teaching students problem-solving skills in his community.
Stokes, the quiet and witty boy from California, found his life’s confidence and purpose in the Rubik’s Cube his friend Yoppi gave him. His life journey of twists and turns serves as an inspiration to us, showing that sometimes the most complex things can lead us to beautiful destinations.
