High Dive
I’ve had a lot to think about lately so I’ve spent a lot of time running in the pool. At least an hour a day.
It’s also been really hot, so I’ve been noticing pools everywhere I go. (Even on my deck and in my sunroom where I can see the neighbor’s fancy pool.)
Lastly, I’m going back to school for the first time in seven years which has me feeling and thinking a bit like a kid.
In all this jumbled mess of thinking and pools and feeling like a kid, I’ve fixated on high diving boards.
You see, so much of the last year has felt like jumping off a high dive to me. Or rather jumping off high dive after high dive after high dive.
Not that this is a bad thing. In fact I think it’s been really good for me. Maybe even really, really good for me.
But it is scary. The climbing the ladder, thinking about the commitment you’ve made to jump. Facing your fear as you tremble at the end of the board realizing just what a risk you’re taking. And the actual jump, hoping you land in a safe manner rather than a painful belly flop.
What I’ve found is that it gets easier with repetition. What I mean is that we can practice ourselves into taking risks. Which seems counterintuitive, but I’m convinced it’s true. There’s an “Oh that wasn’t so bad, I think I can do it again” component to the process.
What worries me now is that all the pools have tube slides, mushroom umbrellas and cool water sprayers. But none of them seem to have diving boards anymore, much less scary high diving boards. And I fear this is indicative of society in general. If this is true, what does it mean? Where is the next generation learning to face their fears and take risks during their long summer moodlings?
If you know of a pool near Omaha with a high dive, please let me know. I want to dive and jump off of one again for old times sake.
