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©Holly Stiel 2001
Stop
counting laps, start counting your blessings.
While
experts say that swimming is the ultimate exercise, I believe
that the exercise element is a bonus. Swimming is one of the
kindest, most extravagant and best gifts you could ever lavish
upon yourself. It’s no wonder swimming is so often equated
with luxury. Grand resorts and elegant destinations all tantalize
us with the allure of gorgeous swimming pools surrounded by
lush vegetation and picture perfect weather.
I
personally look forward to swimming as precious time just for
me. It takes me back to my childhood when I used to “play”
in pools with my friends and where my daddy would toss me in
the water. I would squeal and swim back as fast as I could so
he could pick me up and throw me again.
Water
is incredibly healing to the mind, body, and the spirit, not
to mention how divine it is to feel weightless if only for a
few precious moments. I've
observed people new to swimming, possibly being forced into
the pool due to injury, as they approach the water with dread
written all over their faces. I am sure it is some sports medicine
doctors prescription for healing. I want to go over to them
and share swimming as a gift; a time to meditate, be quiet,
be with yourself in a way no other activity allows. These are
the gifts of swimming that extend well beyond the physical healing
their doctor is prescribing.
When I first started swimming as an adult I was attracted to
it not only because I had enjoyed it as a child but because
my job as a hotel concierge required interacting with over 300
people a day. Swimming was the one place no one was asking me
questions and I couldn’t talk. It became my refuge, a sacred
quiet space where I was enveloped in the healing power of water.
It was a place my body felt light, and flowing. I could be a
ballerina in the water even if I felt like a klutz on land.
On
the other hand, I watch people who count laps. They seem to
have the same look on their face as joggers. . .a pained expression,
counting the minutes until its over. Counting minutes is fine.
Counting laps is counter productive. Set a time goal and get
lost in the activity. I often use my swim time as "thinking"
time. I travel for business so I sometimes spend my swim time
figuring out my travel wardrobe so I am half packed before I
begin the process. I am a professional speaker, so I use the
time methodically swimming back and forth to practice my speeches.
My
favorite time in the pool is when I use it for mindful meditation.
I repeat a prayer over and over, clear my mind, and receive
the benefits of meditation along with everything else. A mindful
meditation I like to use goes like this. “May I be filled
with peace and calm, may I bloom and blossom, may I move forward
without fear , may I heal in loving.” As I swim I imagine
different people and I say the same prayer for them. Before
I know it my time goal has been completed and I am nurtured
on many levels.
Stop
counting laps, start counting your blessings. I have also done
gratefulness swims. I list all the things I’m grateful
for, back and forth, back and forth. I end the swim feeling
multiple blessings. In that frame of mind I stretch my body
in the water enveloped in gratefulness for the things my body
can do. I thank my feet and legs for all the places they take
me, my arms and hands for all the amazing things they know how
to do. I leave refreshed and feeling a little lighter in my
step and oh, by the way- I got some exercise too! Sometimes,
I start my swim and ask to solve a problem as I swim, usually
the answers seem to be revealed.
Lastly,
life is not always about peace and love. Lets not forget about
the aggression swim. Swimming is a great way to release tension,
anxiety, and agression in an appropriate way. I have been known
to kick and pound the water after a frustrating time at work
or an argument with a loved one. Nobody gets hurt, I don’t
say things I will later regret and when I exhaust myself I feel
cleansed.
Give
yourself the gift of swimming. It's truly a gift that keeps
on giving.
Holly
Stiel is a speaker, author and trainer in the area of customer
service and self care. She has been swimming regularly for 22
years. One other swimming bonus happened for Holly when she
realized her overly thin, stick straight hair was an asset and
not a liability when swimming is your “play of choice.”
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