In the Swim of Things

Do you ever find yourself comparing your accomplishments to others? Do you find yourself lacking or some other judgment when so doing?

I think it is a very human experience and mostly a waste of time. You are doing what you choose to do in the moment. Most of us will not be famous or well known or highly accomplished in globally recognizable ways. Yet, there is a part of us that project.

The Olympics are my favorite comparison activity. As I watch the participants, who have given most of their childhood to perfecting a skill, I wonder what was I doing? I am not athletic by any nature and the only sport I enjoyed competitively was swimming. It is, in my mind, because I hate to sweat. I am a sweater, and it pours off my head which makes for a very bad hair day. The story I tell myself is that in swimming you do not sweat and people expect your hair to look terrible. Please, I know you sweat, but luckily you are already soaked so it is not noticeable.

Skating and gymnastics seem to be the two sports that trigger me. Why didn’t I pursue either sport? What was my excuse.  First, my height. Most skaters and gymnasts are rarely taller than 5’5”. I was 5’4” at nine years old. The fact that I cannot nor have ever wanted to do a somersault or a handstand does not enter the mix. Then there is the fact that I cannot really stand up on skates as my ankles cave every time, but I digress. These are not the reasons in my head. Second is I have a large chest and that is not something one observes in the Olympians. It would definitely have been a disadvantage and the fact that I am terrified of heights, have no real center of gravity again is not the issue. The third consideration is I had absolutely no desire and have been eternally grateful that I suffered a knee injury the day gymnastics began in high school PE and I was excused the entire six weeks. At the time I viewed it as divine intervention.

Why bring this up? Mostly because it makes me laugh, but also to reach out to all of you who might beat yourselves up for things you never attempted, did not achieve or wished you had pursued. It is okay to sit and watch the people who are competing, admire their dedication, skill and commitment. If need be, you can also applaud yourself for not having taken their place and giving them their Olympic moment.