Trying New Things

Occasionally I like to swim laps in the pool at the gym. There's an assortment of swimmers there. Some serious, some old and slow that never put their head in the water. One cute older lady just walks up and down the length of the pool, stopping occasionally to rest at the edge. One day a man in the lane next to me would swim a few strokes, then stop and stand, then continue with some more strokes. I'm guessing he has not mastered the art of taking breaths while swimming. But I was impressed he was there anyway, finding a method that worked for him.

This morning a lady in her 20's or 30's, hard to tell with the goggles and swim cap on, was at the pool for a private swim lesson. I heard her tell the instructor she had never swam before. They started out with the basics, blowing bubbles in the water, etc. The instructor put a floating "noodle" around her and they started working. They took up a lot of room in the pool but one lady gave up her lane for them and I started sharing my lane with another swimmer. I was happy to do what I could to help them out. I have no idea what her circumstances are or her reasons to take a swim lesson. But I applaud the fact she was trying something new. It takes courage to get in a pool full of swimmers who know what they are doing and it's all new to you.

It reminds me of my life here in England as an ex-pat: trying new things, learning to fit in, being adventurous. Sink or swim!