This year, for the first time in my life, I took private swim lessons. I took three one-hour lessons with a swim coach, Robin. I almost cancelled my lessons because of my background in the water, but I am glad I did not. My swim was revolutionized. My times are already getting faster while the effort for that speed is less. I have the opportunity to be a beginner again in this sport, I love it!
The beauty of being a beginner is I get to go back to knowing nothing, in a really open and curious way. I get to show up, with a brilliant teacher on deck and soak in what she has to offer. I was so blown away by the first lesson that for the second I had a friend come and video tape it all so I could listen to her tips and see my stroke, over and over again.
We all have our areas where we get comfortable. We don’t have to think about how to do it. It is part of the routine. Going to the office, taking kids to school, the grocery store we shop at, even the things we buy at the store & the meals we cook become routine and ordinary. We drive the same roads to get there, listen to the same music, get irritated by the same construction zones.
What if you stepped out of your comfort zone in some area of your life (fitness, cooking, parenting, working, circle of friends) and tried on what it feels like to be a beginner again? As a newbie you see things differently, gain new perspectives and new ideas. What if instead of getting irritated that your child gets up in the night, you welcomed the moment you have with them in the quiet of the night? Have you wanted to regain your fitness after your baby and the old ways aren’t working?? Try a new class, sport, or training partner. Open up and embrace being a beginner again and you just might be in for a pleasant surprise! Start small and build! Enjoy the process!
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