I know how to save myself… I learned when I was in undergraduate school. My senior year I was in need of a PE credit. I perused the course catalog (yes, back then it was an actual book you read) to try to find something that would interest me. Aerobics and dance and jazzercise all seemed a little too girly for me… when I finally caught a glimpse of a course title that read “Advanced Life Saving”. Wow. I knew this was the class for me as I was about to embark on a career as a Special Education teacher… I wanted to be prepared.
On the first day of class, I felt very nervous and out of sorts when I walked into the classroom and the instructor was in her swimsuit. She began to describe “Advanced Life Saving” and how, when we completed the course, we would be the best lifeguards in the area — “What? How did this happen?” I was admittedly a good swimmer, as a tomboy athletics were my natural default position. But, I was very unsure about whether I was good enough to be a lifeguard — saving a life seemed a bit too superheroish for me and saving a life while your own life hangs in the balance, while you’re treading water, was a concept beyond my comprehension.
I’ve never been a girl who passed up an opportunity to show-off for the boys, for the girls, for the squirrels perched in the near-by trees. Since the town I grew up in was surrounded by lakes, many of my “I’ll take that dares” involved water, but, I was never the first one to plunge off the rope swing dangling from the rickety old tree branch or jump off the bow of the boat in the middle of the murky water or jettison myself from the bridge as my friends cheered below — I did all those things, but I did them at my own pace. Now… in my senior year of undergraduate school, I was about to face several months of daily prods to submerge myself and my fears in the pool that would be my classroom.
The first day of class, we had to swim 500 meters in under 10 minutes… or do it again. The second day we had to tread water while holding a 10 pound weight for 5 minutes (we had to start over if our shoulders went below the water). The third day we had to hold the 10 pound weight at the bottom of the deep end until the instructor tapped our shoulder. I was scared and thrilled and over-whelmed and energized and weak and small and… scared. I wasn’t sure I was cut out for “Advanced Life Saving”. But, I kept at it, twice a week for five months I walked into the changing area, shaking, nervous, stomach in knots over what might take place on that day in the pool. I jumped in the pool each day as if I was exactly in the right place — and I survived.
I have often forgotten that lesson. Life has a way of presenting itself so that we think we are out of air, that we are stranded on the bottom of a pool with the weight of the world chaining us in place, hoping someone comes along and taps our shoulder so we can surface and breathe again. When all we need to do is aim ourselves in the right direction and kick with all our might and reach for the fresh air waiting to fill our souls… always at our own pace. No one, no matter how much you look up to them or care about them, can propel you in a direction you aren’t ready to go. But, still, having someone willing to tap your shoulder when they see you’re running out of air is comforting, it’s human, it’s the connection that gives us life. What we do with the connection we have with others is left up to us — with it, we save ourselves… and sometimes, each other.
What I learned most in that class was that I could save myself… even when I thought I was out of options or air or strength, I could save myself. I have often forgotten that lesson.
So, here I am, a girl whose stomach is in knots, whose hands are shaking, who’s questioning her movements — but I am jumping in, like I belong here.
So very true, Becky, and something we all need to remember.
Thanks Julie, glad to be a reminder. 🙂
Powerful post and so very true.
Hug. Thank you.
Oooo Becky just baked a metaphor cake. Here’s some comlimentary icing.
Recognizing your strengths is something that most people fail to do. We both suffer from various mental illnesses or blocks. Being able to know what makes us awesome is what saves us.
Great post.
Ha! That made me smile this early morning. Thanks Lance!
That was bam-bam-bam tight & true. Nice. And the energy stayed up all the way. You just carried us along. The squirrels would have been proud of you.
You do know it’s ok to rest sometime too, right? Your not going to drown…
I am smiling so big right now at your comment! Thank you for the reminder.
I agree…great energy in this piece. And as if I didn’t have enough things to admire you for, now this…lifeguard. Wow. I feel this takes a special kind of strength (and I’m not talking physical, though of course that’s needed). It’s one thing to excel for ourselves. It’s another to do it with other’s well-being in mind. I feel like a got a great new piece of the Becky puzzle tonight (maybe a corner?) and I’m thankful.
Ha – the Becky puzzle. 😉
Oh, and just to be clear, I was trained as a lifeguard about 23 years ago… so, no testing my skills.
Thank you Sue!
Well you know I have a thought. Only by the grace of God are we saved and it is through His Son Jesus. Our human strength will not ever be enough for eternity; we all need the Lord Jesus for real strength, lasting strength and strength that overcomes the world. You may get by for a while without this holy, powerful strength, but a time will come when we are not enough, when we have truly reached the end of the rope and yes no other person can save you, but Jesus can. You may not face that time here on earth, but without Jesus as your Savior all eternity will be lived with the regret that you do not have Jesus and all that He promised by simply calling out to Him, admitting you are a sinner, repenting from those sins and trusting in Him as your Savior. Becky, I cannot image what you would write in the strength of the Lord. You have such a way with words, but oh how you could be used as a voice for Jesus. Once again hope you will consider this invitation. I believe it is the most important decision you can make in your life, for it is life!!! Love you
Thank you Coach Pete.
You are a very strong woman and have always been a source of strength for those around you.
Thank you!
you’re my Superhero and have been for almost two years ~ because you never let go of hope. i believe that when it comes down to it, we can survive with hope. we can save ourselves and sometimes each other with hope.
you have, time and again, given me hope. thank you.
{lifeguard! woo hoo! Bad Ass Babe in the water! }
love you! *sparkly waterproof squishy hugs* ♥
I’m. No. Superhero.
Thank you for always being supportive Dani!
(see my comment to Sue regarding the need for NO one to need my lifeguard skills) ;-).
Wonderful! ❤ ❤ ❤ This post.
Yay!
Thank you Pam!
(ps — you were lost in spam but I rescued you — lifeguard and all 😉 )
Only the dummies jumped in first – we let them go first to clear out the snakes! =)
See? That’s my point!
Someone had to clear all those cotton mouths out of our way, right?
Hugs!
🙂
Hrumph. I commented on this last night when I read it. I must not have hit enter? Oh, I think that’s it. I typed it then ran over to Twitter to tweet it and forgot to hit enter. I think that is what happened.
Anyway . . . this is really wonderful. I love the lesson you attached to that class. This is so great “No one, no matter how much you look up to them or care about them, can propel you in a direction you aren’t ready to go. But, still, having someone willing to tap your shoulder when they see you’re running out of air is comforting, it’s human, it’s the connection that gives us life.”
LOVE that! LOVE, love, Love, LOVE it!
This post left me wonder though, do you actually read ENTIRE course descriptions now before you sign up for a class? 😉
Thank you Terre.
I felt very strongly about this post and sat on it for two weeks before it had the words I thought were right.
🙂 Yep… I read the actual descriptions after that!
true, you can save your self by finding a solution or change your direction…
well written message, thanks for sharing,
Thank you!
You are on a roll, and you’ve nothing to fear. Keep jumping in! Another well written piece and another great message!
http://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2011/09/11/farmers-lament-2/
Awww shucks!
Thank you Charles!
Going to read you now.
You more than belong here, my friend, and it’s interesting how lives are saved (even if metaphorically) through our words. I say keep leaping, and I know there will be someone to tap your shoulder right next to you when you need it.
Or when you don’t even know you need it, like your post just tapped on my shoulder.
I’m always here to tap your shoulder. 😉
Thank you my friend, for being here!