Do Something Different
My mom is an avid swimmer. Always had been. She worked until she was 80 years old and started swimming as an exercise routine in her 30’s. She was a Registered Nurse for most of her career and after retiring at 72, she got a job at Healthtrax. Swimming for free.
We’re a lot alike in many ways. We both love Block Island. We both got our undergraduate degree in Psychology in our 40’s and went on to get our Masters degree in Education. I was 48. Mom got hers when she was 52 I think. She’s 87 now and going strong.
As a moon child (born in July) I do love the water. I work out almost every day, like mom does, but I don’t swim. I don’t like being in a bathing suit. Probably not surprising.
Mom, however, moved into Elim Park a few years ago, an independent living facility for seniors, and now she swims almost every day because they have an Olympic sized pool there. It’s beautiful and I’m so happy for her.
A few weeks ago she gets this idea that I should start swimming too. In my mind I thought “No. That’s your thing.”
I was resistant but out loud I said “I’ll think about it.” She wouldn’t let it go.
On one visit she brought out her gear to show me. Bathing cap, ear plugs, goggles, and little blue feet flippers.
I tried to picture myself getting up to meditate, then going off to a gym, in a public place to work out, get in my bathing suit and wrangle my hair into a cap. It felt like too much. I couldn’t see it and I told her.
But she persisted. She told me about Healthtrax and apparently it was just down the street from me, like 5 miles away.
I’ll make this long story shorter and spare you all the details but in summary, I bought the gear, checked out the club – they gave me a 3 day pass – and I did my first swim yesterday morning.
And it felt so awkward! And then I got in the water. It wasn’t too cold! I swam for 25 minutes and I LOVED it!
I loved feeling lighter and there were many other positive things I noticed. I didn’t care one bit about the other people and I’m sure they didn’t look twice at me. I really really enjoyed it. Thanks Mom!
It was so good to do something different, even if it was awkward at first. Everything feels difficult at first.
I encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and try something different. This is a recent trend for me.
I’m also:
- trying a new meditation platform
- got a new coach for business
- set up a class I’ll facilitate that will be open to the public (that’s you!) which I haven’t offered since before the pandemic
- took on a 3000 piece puzzle challenge with Paul, (it’s a doozy and we’re about halfway through), when normally we just do 750-1000 pieces.
Anyhow, the point is that change is good and I encourage (i.e. challenge) you to do something that you’ve been putting off.
Notice the resistance and do it anyway!
Want to take on my challenge? Hit reply to this email and let me know what you plan to do or did that was out of your normal routine or comfort zone.
If you are interested in joining me for the public class I’m running, get registered now because seats are limited.
If you are looking to grow your emotional intelligence or that of your team at work, or if you are in transition, or just want to learn more about yourself and improve all of your relationships, then please join me for this class:
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On the podcast this week . . .
My guest on Emerge. Evolve. Lead. this week is Isabelle Wettergren and she in recovery from addiction and helping organizations to support others who are in recovery (or need to be) while they are at work.
I’ve seen this trend happening in many workplaces where they are promoting wellness, and providing programs on mindfulness, physical fitness, and mental health. This is an important benefit at any company for not just the wellbeing of their employees but to attract and retain top talent.
This conversation with Isabelle is enlightening and inspiring so don’t miss it.
All my best,
Maureen
Emerge. Evolve. Lead. Podcast
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