Swimming in the Deep End

Yesterday we had another swimming lesson. The number of learners reduced because of the end of holiday season and starting of schools, colleges and work.

The coach has more faith and trust in my swimming skills. She keeps encouraging me to swim towards the deep end. But I still hesitate and worry.

Then she advised me to stand in the deep water, kick my legs and move my hands by my sides like a butterfly. I followed her instructions but I just get nervous thinking it is deep, dangerous and I gotta move faster and stronger. But she kept reminding me to slow down, relax and move slowly and efficiently so I don’t get tired in the water.

I can’t forget that moment my coach hold my hand, moved me towards the deep end and told me: Drowning is where you swallow water and go deeper in the water. When that happens, you will rescue yourself. You did it several times. You already can swim. Have faith and trust yourself. Activate your self-trust and strengthen your inner power. You can do it.

I kept swimming backward and forward from the shallow water to the deep end. I guess it is my excessive thinking habit that affects my swimming efforts in the water. The more I think and worry, the more struggle I face in the water.

We concluded the session by me standing in the deep end and counting till 50. The coach happily clapped for me, congratulated me and told me: You already can swim in the deep end. Just relax, play with the water, have fun and move around freely.

I can’t say this is an easy learning experience. But to me it feels like a roller-coaster, going up and down. It is like a fight between you and yourself. It is either you fall into your worries and doubts or you go straight towards the deep end and do all it takes to reach to the other side of the pool.