The journey of life is such an interesting one. One of the big things in life that I have learned is that comparison is toxic. It came to my mind yesterday when I was swimming. Next to me there was a woman who was an amazing swimmer. It was difficult swimming in the lane next to her because she was so much more proficient than I. She was faster and far more efficient in the water. I counted her strokes from one end of the pool to the next – 20, compared to my 27. She took about 25 seconds per length compared to my 35. Faster, more efficient – and probably about 15 years younger. She also had probably been swimming for 30 years more than me. What was interesting was when she got out the pool, I also recognised that she was probably about 10kg or so heavier than me.
Comparison.
It’s difficult to avoid.
We spend our lives comparing ourselves to others. I know I have. I’ve been thinking recently of an incident that happened when I was about 11 years old. My life at that age was tumultuous. My parents were struggling in their marriage and they were about to separate. I felt lost and insecure. Money was tight at home. Tensions were high and life was generally difficult for our family. A few houses up the road, from my 11-year-old perspective the opposite was unfolding. There lived the Flower family who seemed so together and financially well off. They lived in a house that they owned (we rented). Their garden was manicured and they had a swimming pool and a trampoline. My friend’s father worked, the mother drove her children to their activities in a VW Kombi. It was all so picture perfect. We had a swimming pool too, but we couldn’t maintain it so it was green and had bull frogs living in it! My parents both worked. We had to get to and from school and activities on our own. I felt very disadvantaged.
One day, I was invited with my friends and their dad on their visit to what I think was the Salisbury (in those days) Botanical Gardens. I had never been before and never been again. We walked around and I found myself having a conversation with Mr. Flower that I have never forgotten. How it came up, I don’t remember, but what I do recall is how he explained to us that while sometimes you may feel you are being left behind and not so far advanced in life as others, eventually you will catch up. It really helped me because it gave me HOPE.
It is true. In many areas of life, eventually you catch up.
I may never be a brilliant swimmer but I sure am a lot better than I was when I bravely climbed into the pool for the first time on 26th December 2017. I look forward to getting stronger and being able to swim more efficiently. The best person I should be comparing myself to is me and my performance!
Today has been a lovely relaxing day. There is this ‘rig thing’ that we can see from our house and we wondered what it was so we took a walk to see…it’s part of the road works.
We concluded they could be putting down a borehole, but we are not entirely sure. Bit of a strange place for a borehole.
We also went to Simon’s Town for 9 holes of golf…Mike on the 4th green.
#738 of my 1000 thanks is for a wonderful refreshing afternoon nap! 🙂
Psalm 32:10
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked, but he who trust sin the Lord, mercy shall surround him.
These are the days.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂