Being Brave

However, I would probably edit the definition of courage from ‘without fear’ to ‘despite fear’ or ‘with fear’. Because most people I know that exhibit courage, haven’t eliminated the fear, but rather, they’ve learned to harness and embrace it. They’ve learned to use it. And that is what I saw my son do today.

He swam his first ever 500 Freestyle. After only eleven months of competitively swimming, and six months after swimming his first 200 Freestyle, he swam a 500. When he swam his first 200 race, he was almost paralyzed in fear. He sobbed the entire morning of his meet, saying over and over again, “I can’t do it. I can’t”. I wasn’t sure he’d even get in the pool that day. And yet, he did.

Today, after swimming four other events, he swam the 500. And he did so with grace and strength. He quietly faced his fear head on. And not only did he face it, he crushed it! He finished the race in 7:22.72. His goal (C) time was 8:30.89. He was over a minute faster than his goal time! And it was the first time ever swimming this event, which is 20 lengths of the pool and includes 19 flip turns. WOW!

I’m so proud of this kid.

Not just because he swam a good race. But because he swam THE race. He didn’t quit, even though filled with fear. He stared that pool down, and with determination, he did it. Even when he didn’t want to. Even though he was draped in well hidden anxiety. And he did it anyway.

Incredible strength he holds in his heart.

I can only hope I can be like him one day, when I grow up.