Swimming

"Who goes swimming anyway?" says some random young guy who walks past me in the hallway as I leave work. Finally going home after lifeguarding and teaching swimming lessons.

"I was just swimming earlier" I respond. I had actually found some time to get in the pool and swim. A rare occurrence.

"I don't like water" he says as I walk out the door with a smile on my face, swimming put me in a good mood.

It’s a shame some people don’t enjoy the water like I do. But then I started to wonder, why do I swim? Why on earth do I like to swim? It's such a hassle! I have to change, get in the cold water. Getting out is even worse. Drying off, then going out in the cold with wet hair. So why do I bother? I never want to at first, but then while I’m swimming it is so therapeutic, so refreshing. I feel awesome after I swim. Like it cleared my head of all that was troubling it.

I don't swim nearly as much anymore. I became a lifeguard and a swim instructor and could no longer find the time in my day. I didn’t want to spend more time at the pool than I had to. Then why do I continue to teach swimming lessons and lifeguard if it takes so much time away from my love of swimming? Because it has its own rewards. I have the unique opportunity to show children how swimming can be fun. I can encourage them to do the best they can and more than they ever thought they could. I can praise them when they show improvement. I get excited when they make the jump from hating swimming lessons, or being scared of the water, to loving to swim. Some days are difficult, but some can be incredibly rewarding.

So, “who goes swimming anyway?” I do. And I hope to play a part in helping children want to go swimming too. Maybe that young guy would like to swim if he had a better experience as a child. Maybe I can make the difference between these children loving or hating the water. It’s my place in this world right now, and I take on the challenge proudly.