neMO

i've been swimming a lot. it's always been one of my favorite things to do, provided there are no kids making splashes or crazy dives because i've been haunted by the story of friend's cousin who dove to hit his head and lifelong paralysis. i like it because it's a sport that does not require other people to participate and therefore there's no expectation for outstanding performance on my part, meaning no stress. it's a total loner activity. i like that.

i also like swimming because it's an almost mindless thing to do. once you've mastered the stroke (i prefer breast), your brain coordinates with your limbs to propel the body forward. there's no calculation, no estimation; you just go straight ahead. some people find this repetition boring, but i appreciate that it gives me a chance to empty the cluttered thoughts in my head and just be a fish. i do sometimes get bored and begin mental exercises, such as the recent 50 US states in alphabetical order and reverse, plus the 43 capitals that I remember (which I believe 60% of the americans are not able to do). sometimes i make up dialogues, not in schizophrenic manner but kind of a role play thing. most of the times, though, i watch the water.

as i was watching the water the other day, i realized that life is somewhat like swimming in a pool. you start from one end with the stroke of your choice and swim forward, eyes fixed on the blinding light on the other end as you reach it. when your hand touches the wall, symbolic of yet a journey completed, you turn immediately and commence another with a kick. in the process, you stare at the tiny bubbles that result from your own movement, or at the blue wavy shadows of ripples casted on the floor. sometimes you go fast, sometimes you go slow, and there will always be times when you get a bit tired and just want to float for a while. and of course people of all ages and sizes might join you and make a splash, or not swim in their own lanes, or dress in super tight speedos (at which, frowns and winces aside, you sneak a peek through your dark-lensed goggles), or pee in the pool. nevertheless you get on with it, back and forth.

occasionally, you forget to come up for air and choke on water, or you kick too hard and end up with a spasm in your leg. most of the times we get over them, but some people develop a fear and steer clear forever of the pool. then you have the daredevils who push themselves trying to see how long they can hold their breaths, all harmless fun until an unfortunate one ends up holding it forever. the life ring buoy and the fetching stick hang far from the pool, which tells you that help might sometimes be out of reach when you need it.

i suppose this is why one must always try and obey at least the general rules in life. do warm-up exercises, do not swim under influence, only dive on the deep end*. the big warning sign on the wall says: "no lifeguard on duty. swim at own risk." that sums it up pretty good.


*i would also add "shower before entering the pool," but i fail to establish a relevant analogy to life with it. but probably good as general advice: when in doubt, shower.