Learning to Swim: A Lesson in Simplicity

Dear friends, today I want to share a story from my past that taught me a valuable lesson about simplicity. It’s a story about learning to swim, but it’s also about much more than that. It’s about how we often complicate things in our lives when the solution is simple.

The Fear of the Deep

When I was a young lad, I was terrified of the water. The vast, open sea, the dark, murky depths of the lake, even the local swimming pool – they all filled me with a sense of dread. I was convinced that if I so much as dipped a toe in, I would be swallowed up and lost forever.

The Unexpected Teacher

One summer, my family visited my uncle’s farm. My uncle was a man of few words, but he had a wisdom about him that I admired. He noticed my fear of his farm pond and decided to teach me how to swim.

The Lesson

He didn’t use any fancy equipment or complicated techniques. He simply walked into the water, turned around, and showed me how to float. “Relax,” he said. “Let the water hold you. It’s as simple as that.”

I was skeptical, but I trusted my uncle. I stepped into the water, took a deep breath, and let myself float. To my surprise, I didn’t sink. I was floating, and it was as simple as my uncle had said.

The Takeaway

That day, I learned two important lessons. The first was how to swim. The second, and perhaps more important, was the power of simplicity. I had built up swimming in my mind as this complex, dangerous thing, but in reality, it was simple. All I had to do was relax and let the water hold me.

We often complicate things in our lives, whether it’s a task at work, a relationship, or a personal goal. We build it up in our minds until it seems insurmountable. But when we strip away the fear and the doubt, we often find that the solution is simple.

So, my friends, remember this: when you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a step back. Breathe. Look for the simple solution. You might be surprised at how often it’s right there, waiting for you.

Until next time, keep it simple.

Kev