Going swimmingly, in the swim, keeping one's head above water, in at the deep end, treading water, in deep water, out of your depth - there seem to be many swimming metaphors in life.
At the pool I'm practicing being literally in deep water and learning to feel safe in deep water. A childhood incident left me fearful all my life of being out of my depth.
This week I went into the pool part way towards the deep end and swam towards the shallow end. The first time I did it I felt panicky and swam like mad towards the shallow end and safety! My heart was thumping and I could hardly breath....but I did it and was rather pleased with myself.
After a few more times and a lot of mental preparation I could slide into the water, look around underwater to get my bearings as I floated up to the surface (which seemed an age the first time), take a breath and think about my options...I won't say I enjoyed it, but I can say that I can see that it could be fun. I plan to gradually go in further and further up the pool. I will let you know when I start from the deep end!
I owe my new-found confidence to this video by Ian Cross, and to my patient husband who is an excellent and keen swimmer. I signed up for lessons but had only had two when the instructor had to cancel through illness so now I look at the Swimming Without Stress videos before I go to the pool.
Baby steps/strokes, not trying to do too much too soon, less is more, mindfulness, slow, considered, at my own pace, not minding what others think, calm, so happy to be fulfilling this long-time wish, relaxed (well, soon I hope!). I try to see ways in which I can be like this in the rest of my life, out of the water as well as in...
Don't you just love learning?