It Is Time to Sink or Swim
Our Sunday routine for the past 5 years or so has been spending time on the local lake swimming, tubing, and skiing. Our kids all know that the life-jacket goes on as soon as they step foot on the stern sun pad and doesn’t come off until the boat is on the trailer. Things were a bit different this time when my son asked, “how long do I need to wear the life-jacket when we go swimming?”
I remember those days. I was more than anxious to shed my life jacket at camp. The requirement – pass a swim test during the first day at camp under the lifeguard’s watchful eye. My son got the same treatment while we were out except I was the lifeguard.
I stated, “If you want to shed the life-jacket, you must spend some time in the water with me and show me your capable.”
He peeled that life-jacket like a starving monkey peeling a banana and jumped in the water. I had him swim from the outdrive to me - roughly 25ft away - and back again. His first attempt had him winded as he dog paddled his way through the water. After reiterating that the life-jacket will stay on as long as the dog paddle was his primary stroke, we reviewed the front stroke and breaststroke. Again, he repeated the journey a couple of times, but was exhausted. I suggested he put the life-jacket back on and play in the water. He resolutely rejected my offer.
I then shifted the goal posts. “If you want to go without your life jacket, not only do you have to get rid of the life-jacket, but you must also learn to control your breathing. I cannot have you coming back to the boat winded and out of breath. If you are completely winded and out of breath, you will panic at the first big wave that washes over your head.”
“How am I supposed to do that?” He doggedly inquired.
“You must learn to swim on your back for the sake of ‘rest’. As you are on your back, you must focus on your breathing – in through your nose, out through your mouth - just as much as you focus on your legs bending at your hips.” I responded. “Focus on the core activity of breathing and you will be able to maintain your focus on keeping afloat and moving towards either the boat or shore.”
Although he did not swim without his life-jacket on his own. I bet he will be ready by the end of the season!
Questions to Ponder
My son’s journey to swim without a life-jacket in the water was a significant step for him in his journey from boyhood to manhood. The lessons he learned can be applied by all of us.
What proverbial life-jacket are you wearing that provides you with a perceived sense safety and security, but hinders your growth?
What criteria must you set to prove to yourself that you are ready to act on your own?
How will you focus your efforts [breathing] to ensure that you accomplish your task?
Who will you enlist to keep you accountable by sharing in your victories and redirecting you in your missteps?
When will you start?
To removing the life-jacket that keeps you bound to safety and security!
P.S. Benjamin Franklin, one of our nations great statesman and founding fathers, once said: “"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Safety and security are our comfort blankets in life. Comfort rarely produces the success we desire. Push into your anxieties!