Don't feed the fears.....

So, I finally, after all this time, went over to the Y to sign up for swim lessons.  And I was in for a bit of a shock.  2 weeks ago I went in and spoke to the Aquatic Director.  I told her I could tread water but "barely". I mean if you threw me in I wouldn't immediately sink and drown but I don't know the strokes.  She felt I should take the "adult swim lessons" that were starting Nov 1 and then after doing that for a month or so, take private lessons.  She felt there would not be an issue with me doing the Savageman Olympic triathlon later next year.  She told me I would have to work hard, something I assured her I was more than willing to do.

So, flash forward to two days ago, I'm standing at the desk, ready to sign up and the swim instructor for the adult swim is there.  I tell him my plan and he immediately informs me that "no one can learn to swim in one month".  I was shocked to hear that.  I'm a big one on research and had read of many folks who had used the program "Total Immersion", with much success.  So, I was doubtful about what he had to say.  However, he was adamant, I "might" be ready to swim in a few months but "in all his 30 years teaching, he'd never had an adult learn in 1 month".  It was a bit discouraging.

And as I stood there listening to him, it dawned on me how we, as "people" can get wrapped up in the "I can't" do it.  Often it's not that you "can't" but a matter of someone telling you, "you can't".  And often that statement is based on misinformation.  In this case, the instructor wasn't familiar with how much I knew in regards to swimming.  He assumed if he threw me in the deep end, I'd sink to the bottom and drown.  Such is not the case.  After leaving there, (without signing up for the swim class), I put a call into the Aquatic Director and emailed Wendy for her advice.  Wendy told me to NOT go back to him and call the Director for advice. The Director felt that it might be best if I just took some private lessons.  I agreed.  I'm going to start them Nov 1.

I think we often get told we "can't" do something, by others, and that brings up fear in us.   At least it does with me.  I've learned to work past that fear.  It's never easy but I have found it's always worth it.  In the past, I would have walked out, discouraged and not sure about ever getting in a pool.  But I can feel that I want that dream of mine to become a reality, so much that it fuels me to get past the fear.  So, next week, I may be shaking inside but I will get in that pool and do what I'm most afraid of, and I know that it will be a wonderful feeling when I step out.