What are the Odds?: Non- Drowner No More

Quotes

"You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed, as your deed is, so is your destiny." Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.5 (Translated by Eknath Easwaran.).

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now." Goethe

" I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make a life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt, or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a person humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming." Goethe

"Being committed to place ourselves in an environment that we know will make us grow and teach us about our deepest selves builds character, strength, and courage. We soon find ourselves in the habit of growth and find that "we’ve arrived" by our mere presence on the path. We find ourselves at home in the heat of our own refinement." Scott Moore

"The last thing the world needs is another perfect Downward Facing Dog pose. What the world does need is another open heart." Judeth Lasater

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Non- Drowner No More

I remember going to Oak Park swim and racket club as a small child for swim lessons. Young enough that all I remember learning was the doggy paddle, swimming on my back (probably with help) and putting my head under water. That was the extent of my swimming lessons. I taught myself a "freestyle" stroke from watching people in the pool play around. As a result I became what I liked to call a non- drowner- rather than a swimmer. And I have succeeded in my title my whole life- I have never drowned. But swimming- ugly and exhausting because I did not know how. Tonight my entire world changed! I learned how to swim! Don't get me wrong it needs a lot of work but... I swam laps- as in multiple- and I was breathing to the side under my arm. I know- pretty amazing isn't it. All this success can be attributed to one person- Mr. Joe Muir. A hundred thanks and shout outs. He said he was willing to teach me and he did not lie. Annie, Joe and I convened at the Bountiful Rec Center and swam for close to 2 hours. Granted some of it was drills, watching, and resting. Quite a bit of resting actually. My body has no muscle strength or memory for this so, it was a little taxing. And the lungs- wow- I was breathing a little too hard for 3 laps. But that is irrelevant- no matter how poor it may be- I can swim.