FIRST STEP

The first step in deciding that you are going to do something is just to make up your mind and commit that Yes; I am going to do this. It is making a commitment to yourself that you are going to do it. It is almost a vow, a promise, kind of like making marriage vows but to yourself. 

You take baby steps, one step at time, one foot forward at a time knowing that the the next steps will come eventually. I did not set up a deadline of when I wanted to learn how to swim and, also kept in mind, that even if I did try I may come to find out that swimming is just not for me and that would be okay to. There is always that possibility that I may never learn or get comfortable in the pool.

But I had to start somewhere and give it a try. The first step was making the vow and saying okay Monita you are going to sign up for the classes and show up. I have found that making vows to myself, a personal commitment and visualizing worked for me in swimming. So I showed up for my class and went in the pool. Step by step in the water slowly holding onto the rail and the wall.

The very first thing I did was to put my face in the water and blow bubbles. Easy enough and I did it. Slowly from there I progressed to holding the wall, kicking and then using the kickboard to just kick. Step by step I progressed to adding the arms, one at a time, and learning to breathe on my side, while kicking and using one arm with one always holding the kickboard.

What I learned from the first couple of months of these first basic techniques of learning how to swim was that taking the small steps and spending a lot of time in each one of them till I got comfortable before I progressed to the next technique was necessary.  I spent a lot of time practicing to put my face in the water, learning to kick and adding the arms and breathing. Breathing is the hardest and, I am not there yet, so I spend a lot time practicing the breathing.

Remember, I have a lot fear with water so for me the progress was slow. I had all the time to learn and every time I felt my body tense in the water, I had to go back to the basics, blowing bubbles and just kicking. I could not just be in the pool with a bunch of other people.  I needed someone by my side to hold on too and who recognized the intensity of my fear. I was truly blessed to have found that coach who guided me every way.  Because she was so relaxed in her approach and kept motivating me, I have somehow learned to be more relaxed in the pool which also carried into other aspects of my life and with my kids.

Being more relaxed in the pool helped me to float and just glide in the water. It’s amazing how things seem so different and so much easier to handle when you are relaxed. I now enjoy floating and can just relax my muscles rather than squeezing them. I can feel my body float up when I just don’t tense those muscles. It is always harder to relax when I am tired so halfway through my swim lessons; I used to just sink in. Also I am in a pool that is only 4 feet so the fact that I can push myself and feel my feet on the floor was very reassuring. I am not able to yet go in a 5 feet pool but with time I will get there.

The key is to keep showing up and even though I may never get to swim in a 5 feet pool and, I don’t know if I will ever, I have to keep taking those steps to get in the water again and again and hope that one day it will all come together.

 I guess that is the way in life as well. You may not be able to see where you are going or if you are in a difficult situation, it may seem like it will never end or you won’t be able to come out of it. But always remember that you will and take that first step to do what you need to do to overcome it when you are ready. Since taking my first step and getting in the water,I have had the courage to take many other first steps. 

My hope for you that when you are able to take the first step in whatever it is that you are contemplating to do. You definitely have my support so take the first step.

Peace
Monita