Day 1167 Lessons learned

 

“Save nothing for the swim back” seems to be my motto these days—or maybe it always has been. I tend to bite off big chunks of life, convinced I can do it all… even if it kills me!

I think back to when I was little, maybe seven or eight, and we’d go to Tucker’s Pond to swim. There was a giant rock that stood out way out in the middle of the pond. I told my family I wanted to swim out to that rock—and that I could do it. So I started swimming… and swimming… and swimming. In my young mind, it felt like years until I finally reached it. I climbed up, looked back toward the shore to the amazement of my family—and was suddenly hit with the realization that I’d either have to live on that rock for the rest of my life or make that long journey all over again to get back to shore.

There was no way I was going to be defeated by my little body. My spirit would carry me through—and somehow, it did. It was my first real lesson in biting off more than I could chew, though I never let anyone know it almost killed me! I remember how proud my mom was of my determination, my grit, and my ability to push myself… no big deal, right?

These days, I try to remember that lesson—not to take on too much—but somehow, that’s just the way I roll. And somehow, I always find my way back to shore, proud of what I’ve managed to make happen.

I keep a little card with that quote right in front of me every day, reminding me to push forward, give life my all, and trust that the swim back will be okay. I’m not sure if that’s faith, stubbornness, or just plain foolishness—but it’s who I am.

And so, off I go again, diving into another busy day, determined to give it everything I’ve got… trusting that, once more, I’ll find my way safely back to shore.