When I was a young child, one of the recreational activities I participated in was swimming. Despite the fact that I disliked being cold, in the beginning it was fun. Then it was time to learn the more advanced techniques. Why couldn’t I get by with floating and treading water? I could even “swim” on my back by kicking my feet. Surely that was enough to save my life in an emergency. Apparently not.
The front crawl to me felt like self-imposed drowning! Oh, did I mention that I hadn’t really become comfortable putting my face in the water much less adding the arm, legs and breathing. As far as I was concerned, this was a losing battle. I got into that water and thrashed around like a fish does while out of water. All parts moving with no coordination while gasping for air every now and again. I can’t even imagine what I looked like in that pool!
Several years later I could see very clearly how I had set myself up to fail. I had this anxiety about breathing when my face was in water. Then with that anxiety still feeling enormous, I had decided that there was no way that this was going to happen. I was tense and my mind was convinced. Although I thought that I was giving it my best shot, I was defeated long before I entered the water. Then when I entered the water I fought the process every step of the way.
What’s your front stroke experience? Where has the self-fulfilling prediction (prophecy) of a negative outcome been demonstrated in your life? When have you told yourself, “I can’t do this right” only to say “See, I knew it” when it ends the way you expected?
I was lacking belief (in possibilities) and openness (to the flow of the process). When you are fighting against something, you are weakening your energy resources. The more you fight against something, the more difficult it is. It was energy that I could have used to overcome my fear and relax into the technique. Instead of focusing on what I was convinced I could not do, I would have done much better directing my attention towards what was possible. That is the power of the mind. It can take you to higher elevations or to lower trenches.
I encourage you to make today the day that you approach your “pool” with peace and an openness to the potential. We are capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for. Free yourself from the fear and welcome the flow of magnificence in all that you do. Stretch, grow and celebrate every experience! It feeds your mind and uplifts your soul.
Affirmation: I am free to allow the potential for my life to flow with magnificent pleasure. I release my fears.
0 Comments