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BrightIrish
Thank you BI. I was certainly experiencing fear, and with luck, I may overcome it.
posted by
johnmacnab
on May 7, 2006 at 3:04 PM
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Hi.. I enjoyed reading this story. You have such a fun way of telling us about the things that happen to you and I know you were experiencing fear.. I think you will be swimming soon and you'll overcome the fear. Congrats for the effort..
posted by
BrightIrish
on May 7, 2006 at 7:06 AM
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Johnmcnab
Thank you. There are touchy people in this world and at times I have stepped on toes or bruised an ego. LOL
posted by
TAPS.
on May 4, 2006 at 6:11 AM
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Taps
I wasn't offended, Taps, tout au contraire (if that's how you spell it). I was flattered with your complete comment, as I am with 'bestow.' I was just taken aback as I'd never considered that flaunt and I would ever be in the same sentence. I do apologize if I have given you cause to be concerned. Your comment lifted my spirits - when I write something that I think is funny, I tend to think to myself how arrogant I am to expect other people to see the material in the same vein. I think it's called self denigration or some such. Thank you again, Taps, and you can compliment me any time of the day or night - please?
posted by
johnmacnab
on May 3, 2006 at 11:48 AM
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Johnmcna b
Uh, oh. I think I got myself in trouble here by using an offensive word with you. I did not mean "flaunt" in a bad way. What I was trying to say was that I am so glad that you bestow your wit and humor upon us. I love reading your posts.
posted by
TAPS.
on May 3, 2006 at 11:26 AM
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jacenta
Thanks jacenta. Sometimes I wish I hadn't faced my fear. Especially when the instructor tries to get me to move my feet in the same fashions as an egg beater. Who can do that, for goodness sake?
posted by
johnmacnab
on May 3, 2006 at 5:09 AM
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Blanche
Thanks for the 'daring and bold' comment, Blanche. Personally I think it's lunacy. At one point in the last lesson I stopped moving and tread water (gripping on to a flotation device). My instructor asked me if there was something wrong. I shook my head. "I just can't believe I'm doing this and I'm actually in the middle of a swimming pool." I was an instructor in my former life, so I understand the steps but I've never heard them put so succinctly.
posted by
johnmacnab
on May 3, 2006 at 5:07 AM
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johnmcnab...
You will become a good swimmer before you know it. I respect you for facing your fear. That alone is a difficult part.
Great going!
posted by
jacentaOld
on May 2, 2006 at 9:52 PM
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JohnMcNab,
My hat is off to you for doing something so daring and bold as learning to swim as an adult. I love the way you describe the progression: the water seemed cold, but it wasn't; you have moments when you can let go.
Gideon studies his sales books constantly and one parallel comes to mind here that he describes: that there are stages of competence in acquiring skills. First, there is "unconscious incompetence" ie, someone doesn't know what he or she doesn't know, isn't aware of being ignorant. Second, "conscious incompetence" they're aware but not yet ready to do something about it. Third is "Conscious competence" the study phase, it's hard and it's work, but with conscious effort it is possible to do osomething such as driving a car as a learner, shifting gears, etc. consciously going through the steps.
Lastly, is "unconscious competence", when the skill acquired becomes automatic and effortless. It sounds like you're on your way there. Exuberance indeed!
posted by
Blanche.
on May 2, 2006 at 5:44 PM
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Muser
That is a brilliant idea, muser. My instructor had me jumping up and down in the shallow water trying to do the inhale/exhale routine, but I was too busy doing the jumping to do the breathing. She did say that in the next lesson (which will be in two weeks as the pool will be closed this coming weekend) she wanted me to pretend to be swimming ( it looked like the crawl to me) with my head coming up to the side, much like you suggest. I like the idea of being able to hold on to something as I try the breathing. Thank you muser.
posted by
johnmacnab
on May 2, 2006 at 5:23 PM
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Hi John. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones in that I've never been afraid
of the water, and I was pretty much a natural swimmer. I taught my sons to swim when they were very young. I can tell you, you ARE going to swim! You have the determination, and the WILL! Attitude is everything! One thing that might help you is to go in the shallow water...maybe sit on the steps, and put your face in the water, lift it and turn to one side as if swimming and exhale...then inhale, put your face down in the water, lift and turn to the other side, etc. It has been my experience with non-swimmers that the most frightening thing about deep water is no control when the face gets wet or goes below the surface. Sitting on the steps knowing you are in control, and getting used to having your face/head submerged is something that has helped a lot of people. Hope this will help you also. Keep up the good work!!
posted by
muser
on May 2, 2006 at 4:13 PM
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Taps
I've never felt that way about shopping Taps, but I do feel disquiet sometimes when having to shop for larger items - like clothes?
posted by
johnmacnab
on May 2, 2006 at 3:49 PM
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Johnmcnab
I don't remember ever being afraid of water, but I feel exactly like that when the need arises for me to go shopping.
posted by
TAPS.
on May 2, 2006 at 11:31 AM
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Malcolm
And I thought I was the only one. It's good to know that someone else appreciates the agony of the neck and back. The irony is that the pain from my swimming lessons is affecting my pool lessons. Thank you Malcolm.
posted by
johnmacnab
on May 2, 2006 at 11:17 AM
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I have nothing but admiration
for you. I have (had?) the same terror of being out of my depth as you appear to do. Because I hold my breath I don't breathe properly and then get pains in the back of my neck and so on, and so on. Stick at it. I've promised myself I'll do this one day but I'm not brave enough yet.
posted by
malcolm
on May 2, 2006 at 8:57 AM
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Azur
Thank you, Azur. I must admit that I have not exactly looked forward to the swimming lessons, but the initial fear has given way to the possibility of future pleasure
posted by
johnmacnab
on May 1, 2006 at 4:12 PM
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Anthony
Just call me 'seahoss,' Anthony.
posted by
johnmacnab
on May 1, 2006 at 4:10 PM
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whacky
Thank you, Whacky. We'll see how long I can keep it up.
posted by
johnmacnab
on May 1, 2006 at 4:09 PM
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ginnie
A great lesson in stubbornness, ginnie. Thanks for the beers. I have to drink them now, to dull the pain in my neck from the fear as I keep my neck too stiff. However, I am getting slightly less uptight - Hic!
posted by
johnmacnab
on May 1, 2006 at 4:08 PM
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It's no small matter to overcome fear
Good for you!
posted by
Azur
on May 1, 2006 at 7:11 AM
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JohnMcNab
Good for you hoss, you're doing swimmingly
posted by
WileyJohn
on May 1, 2006 at 5:04 AM
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That is so great! Good for you!
posted by
Whacky
on May 1, 2006 at 12:02 AM
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Bloody good for you Mac!!!
That's a great description of your lesson and a great lesson in persistence!! Three cheers for you!!
Now don't be drinkin those before your next lesson!
posted by
ginnieb
on April 30, 2006 at 8:31 PM
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