Swimming on Land?

A ship is always safe at the shore – but that is not what it is built for ­– Albert Einstein

 I am well aware of the front crawl, the dog paddle, the butterfly stroke and the breaststroke. I also know about the treading water and the swimming kick. But I do not know how to swim. It is some irony to know about something and yet not know it. I watch the Olympic Games and marvel at the relative ease at which the athletes glide through water. At the back of my mind I know that if you drop me into any pool I can only travel in one direction – down – and even that unintentionally.

If I really wanted to swim I cannot remain on land or simply read about strokes on the internet. No level of information can actually teach me to swim if I do not get into the pool.

As it is with swimming so it is with every aspect of your success journey. If you would learn and succeed at anything you must take the leap of faith and dive into it. Experience comes only with practice. I often remind myself that writers write, singers sing, preachers preach. Of a truth, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit produced.

In line with this, two things stop folks from living their dreams. The first is the fear of the untested. We often allow the darkness of fear to envelop our hearts. If you are in such a situation I suggest you give room for the light of courage to bring a glorious illumination all around you.

The second is the gruesome voice of sameness that speaks through your mental airwaves telling you, “You are not ready,” and, “It isn’t time.” You must change the dial and listen rather to the sweet melodious rhythm which says, “Now is the right time for your salvation.” There will never be a perfect time to do what you intend to do. If you wait until the wind and the weather are just right, you will never plant anything and you will never harvest anything.