Entwined thoughts - ready to be straightened out !: Living your fear!
In sequel to Facing your Fear, here I want to narrate my personal experience of coming face to face with my fear.
It took me many years to even realize that I am scared of doing this. I don’t know to swim and never ever gave it even a thought!
While I was in my teens and water sports were gaining prominence in our country, I happened to go to a place called Mehta water splash which house slides and pools. All my friends had a time of their life coming down the winding slides. I stood very apprehensive to put my first foot forward. I spent the day in the tiniest pool while my friends took up bigger challenges.
I am not sure, how things would have been if someone tried to allay my fears. No one did and I returned home content with my rendezvous in the kid’s pool.
On the contrary, I love the ocean! I dare into the deep sea and just love being among the waves.
Just married and my husband wanted to spend some time at the pool. I bravely accompanied him till the pool and sat by, happy with my feet kissing the water. It is when he pulled me did I realize I don’t like being in.
“You are crazy!” and I rushed out of the pool.
I sat and watched tiny-tots have a merry time in the pool. That night, I realized I fear I might drown. I don’t trust myself to take my foot off the ground!
Next day again, he cajoled me to enter the pool. I entered with great spirits inspired by the children bravely paddling their feet. I could never take my feet off nor could I immerse my head in.
I was determined to learning swimming. I was determined to face my fear.
Even then, I was not daring enough to enroll myself in a class. I didn’t trust anybody! I couldn’t trust myself into the hands of a new tutor. Just the thought of learning to swim in a new environment for dreadful.
I wanted a tutor who would listen to me and who better than your husband!
Many days and years passed. I never got an opportunity to swim. Neither did I create one. In between, I got one off chances and began slowly to get comfortable being in a pool or to take a dip with faith!
Today, in a country where every home has a swimming pool, my interests revived and I pestered him to take me to the pool. Lack of time on his side procrastinated things a bit but I was determined.
Finally now, I am in the pool taking my swimming lessons. I am a scared, sluggish and slow and can take the life out of my instructor but am also focused, arduous and patient!
The process has been rewarding! Cognitively, it has helped me understand myself better, my thoughts and my trepidations. When I actually did float, the feeling is inexplicable. To me, the end result does not matter, it is the process that does. I knew one day I will swim but how I do that was the challenge!
The moment one comes face to face with the fear and conquers is a defining moment!
I shared a love-hate relationship with water. Now, am turning it into an absolute love!
@Divenita :-) Now, are you gonna face it?? Actually, water naturally pushes us afloat! It's funny how, though we know the science and the law, we still feel frightened! I laugh at myself many a times!
I am also scared of swimming and I am yet to take the plunge.
Great that you have started. How does the water treat you??
Nice question :-) Water is being nice to me but i don't seem to connect well with her!
I wanna learn to swim, do you think its too late now I am 21?
It's never too late to learn something :-) If you want a little inspiration then, let me admit that am much older to you ;-) Go ahead and learn it!