Instagram story viewer> @gelfand.sharon> Tagged
(@gelfand.sharon)'s profile avatar HD Profile

@gelfand.sharon

undefined
POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED
If you really knew me, you’d know I grew up in the Bahamas and I learned to swim before I could walk. What was interesting about that second fact is that my mom taught me how to swim, but she was afraid of the water. My mother was the kind of person that consciously strived to not have her weaknesses or fears to be passed onto her children. In some ways she was quite successful. Other ways, the more unconscious or shadowy aspects, not so much, but she did her best. Babies are natural swimmers. Apparently she read that and really trusted that fact because I imagine putting your baby that can’t even walk in the water must be kind of scary in and of itself. For a long time I assumed my dad taught me to swim. (Based on the first photo in this post, because there was no one there to take pictures of my mom teaching me to swim). He was a great swimmer and competed at the college level for a bit. Later (after I could walk!) I received formal lessons and learned all the strokes properly and by age 6 I was completing myself. I got MVP in swimming in 10th grade— on the varsity team. Granted it was a tiny 1-A high school, but still, I won most of my races that year... What beautiful to me is that through teaching me to swim my mom made herself more comfortable in the water. Even if it was just the kiddie pool, it made a difference. And I wonder if that’s not a great lesson for all of the leaders, mentors, teachers, therapists, supporters, coaches and facilitators out there. Let’s go to the places that scare us: if not for ourselves, than for our those seeking guidance from us. Where they break though, we can break through. Our work on our shadow is never done until we face the ultimate unknown, our transition from this body. (And even then it may not be complete!) Serving others is an opportunity for me to shine light on my own blind spots and find myself, facing my fears, revealing the gateway to my own freedom through service. Thanks mom!
5
Download
back to up