It was a rest day . . . or it was supposed to be a rest day . . . but my 11 year old son wanted to swim and I agreed to go to the pool for a fun swim together.
We had a good time. He loves to coach me; so after we warmed up, Denver began telling me how to do butterfly. He talked and demonstrated. I tried. He told me everything I was doing wrong. I tried again. Repeat. Repeat. At one point, he said, "Your upper body is too stiff. You look like this." He then proceeded to thrash in the water as if his upper body and lower body were trying to drown each other!
Enough of that, I thought. I'll do something I know how to do. Freestyle. I've been studying and practicing and reading and watching videos for three years. As I swam, Denver decided to record me so he could offer advice. When I saw the recording, I became sick to my stomach. This is me?!
I was reminded of the old adage that "practice makes perfect" only if your practice is perfect. I have been practicing swimming poorly, with my arms sweeping out to the side, my stroke not fully extended, my hips flat. Sigh...
It's funny how easy it is to watch others swimming and to learn from watching them without forming any kind of judgment about them as people. When I watch myself, however, I am so frustrated that I almost don't want to get back in the pool.
I am humbled by the embarrassment of being a newbie once again. It reminds me of how my children must feel as they try new things and receive unsolicited feedback from well intentioned adults.
Kindness matters. Patience matters. As my yoga teacher offered at the end of every class, "Nothing takes the place of gentle, loving persistence." And . . . back to the pool I go. Humbled, but determined.
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