I would still be on the ledge if...
but wait! Let me get you up to speed.
In early August of this year I made up my mind that I wanted to take a swim class.
At first, I didn't want to take the class alone. I told everyone what I was interested in doing.
When it came time to sign up and register everyone backed out.
No one had time. I ended up missing the summer session.
Bummer.
September rolled around, and on Labor Day Weekend I signed up by myself.
Yesterday I had swim class.
My goal was to swim to the deep end without panicking.
The pool is 8 feet 6 inches deep. (It's not that deep - who am I kidding!)
We practiced a few other routines, and I did elementary back stroke to the deep end. Success!!!
Our instructor had us exit the pool so that we can jump in.
Did I mention I have a fear of heights?
Our instructor, Yusef counted off, "Ready? Three... Two... One..."
All I could think about was how deep the pool was, and I psyched myself out.
I backed away from the ledge.
I wasn't ready.
The life guard was sitting behind me and said, "You'll float right back up, just jump."
Yusef was still waiting patiently in the pool.
I had so much resistance building up inside me and Yusef counted down again, "Ready? Three, Two,"
Me: "Wait wait, I can't -- And as I backed away - or thought I was backing away, I slipped.
If it were up to me - I'd still be on the ledge.
I went under, and three seconds later my head came back up.
I'm still alive. I didn't drown.
Fear is paralyzing.
Fear is learned, and growing up my mom always told my siblings and I to stay away from the water because we'd drown. 28 years later, and well I've learned to swim.
Last week I learned to push past the fear by acknowledging it, and taking action anyway. In this case, the action wasn't intentional but I am happy I slipped.
I'm working on a digital poster with the quote, "Acknowledge the fear, and take action anyway."
Do you want one?
I would still be on the ledge if...
but wait! Let me get you up to speed.
In early August of this year I made up my mind that I wanted to take a swim class.
At first, I didn't want to take the class alone. I told everyone what I was interested in doing.
When it came time to sign up and register everyone backed out.
No one had time. I ended up missing the summer session.
Bummer.
September rolled around, and on Labor Day Weekend I signed up by myself.
Yesterday I had swim class.
My goal was to swim to the deep end without panicking.
The pool is 8 feet 6 inches deep. (It's not that deep - who am I kidding!)
We practiced a few other routines, and I did elementary back stroke to the deep end. Success!!!
Our instructor had us exit the pool so that we can jump in.
Did I mention I have a fear of heights?
Our instructor, Yusef counted off, "Ready? Three... Two... One..."
All I could think about was how deep the pool was, and I psyched myself out.
I backed away from the ledge.
I wasn't ready.
The life guard was sitting behind me and said, "You'll float right back up, just jump."
Yusef was still waiting patiently in the pool.
I had so much resistance building up inside me and Yusef counted down again, "Ready? Three, Two,"
Me: "Wait wait, I can't -- And as I backed away - or thought I was backing away, I slipped.
If it were up to me - I'd still be on the ledge.
I went under, and three seconds later my head came back up.
I'm still alive. I didn't drown.
Fear is paralyzing.
Fear is learned, and growing up my mom always told my siblings and I to stay away from the water because we'd drown. 28 years later, and well I've learned to swim.
Last week I learned to push past the fear by acknowledging it, and taking action anyway. In this case, the action wasn't intentional but I am happy I slipped.
I'm working on a digital poster with the quote, "Acknowledge the fear, and take action anyway."
Do you want one?
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