I love to swim. I try to get to a community pool near us at least a couple times a week. Swimming is wonderful exercise and it always resets my attitude with the endorphins gained by moving and being in and near water. There’s a slogan at the pool “water is life”. Yes we need it to drink… but my life is also enriched by being in water regularly ☺️
The habit of swimming started when I could hardly walk. At 18 a horse put all its weight on my right foot. This resulted in life long damage to that foot. Later on, as the mother of a 4 and 6 year old I had a surgery to remove a bone spur that was one of the results of the accident. I wanted to walk better as I raised my kids! Instead a pain condition set in post surgery and even walking across a room became difficult.
I went to see a pain specialist and she asked me a painfully obvious question, “Do you want to walk?” Can you guess my answer?? “Yes!”She said, “then you must start swimming” and handed me a flyer for an aqua therapy program at our community pool.
Motivated by seeking to keep my mobility, I swam. A kind student recognized the depression on my face as I struggled to move in spite of the pain and to make it to class, he encouraged me, “just keep coming- it will get better.” And it did.
I couldn’t swim through some of my cancer treatment. I was too weak or I had had a surgery, but as soon as I was able, I got back to it. It’s been a tremendous part of regaining my stamina and is always a boost to my mental health. I’m not a great swimmer. My right foot is still weak from soft tissue damage, and the peripheral neuropathy from chemotherapy is still subsiding, but 25 minutes of moving in water is life giving.
I was surprised this week while swimming laps, when someone two lanes over yelled at me. Once he got my attention he gave me unwanted feedback on my stroke. It was a rainy day, an emotional day where for many reasons it’d been hard to get myself to the pool. He thought he was being helpful, I guess, but I just wanted to scream at him that he had no idea how hard it was for me to just move- pretty or not.
Words are so powerful. Unfortunately we use them all day long. In my Bible reading this week I was reminded, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen”(Eph 4:29).
Sometimes we think we are being helpful when we aren’t. On vacation last week my husband saw a T shirt that said something like- everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. As I share about my cancer story, I’m constantly shocked by how many others have fought cancer too or have someone they love who either lost the fight or is in a fight. It reminds me to treat everyone with kindness. I want my words to benefit those around me, not hurt them.
As I excited the pool, I resisted the urge to lambast the other “helpful” swimmer by filling him in on my story. I sought to be proud of myself for getting to the pool and moving. Then I was shocked by who came into the locker room as I got ready to go home. A doctor from 20 years ago whose words had changed my life by encouraging me to swim.
I thought about just smiling to myself and leaving but instead I stopped and made sure it was her. She remembered me. We’ve seen each other at the community pool before, but it’s been about 10 years since then. She smiled and said she had just recently encouraged someone else with my story.
I was surprised and pleased that she was using my swimming success to encourage others. She thanked me for saying hello and I could tell my current health and her part in that, was uplifting for her to see. I went home with a full heart.
Today we’ll use words. We’ll talk, text, write emails, and maybe even talk on the phone. Let’s remember to be kind. Let’s pause before we react in anger or frustration. In doing so, may our hearts fill with joy as our words bring life to others.
What great post, Wendy!