Learning to Swim: A Lesson in Sensitivity

Dear friends, I’d like to share a story from my youth, a story that taught me a valuable lesson about sensitivity. It’s a story about learning to swim, but it’s also about so much more.

The Fear of the Unknown

As a young lad, I was terrified of the water. The vast, unpredictable ocean was a symbol of the unknown, and it filled me with dread. I was comfortable on solid ground, where I felt in control. But the thought of being in water, where I could sink or float, was too much for me to bear.

The Gentle Guide

Enter my grandfather, a man of infinite patience and wisdom. He was a seasoned swimmer, having spent his youth by the sea. He understood my fear, but he also knew the joy and freedom that comes with being able to swim. He decided to teach me, not by force, but with sensitivity and understanding.

The Lesson Begins

He started by just getting me comfortable with the water. We would sit by the edge of the pool, dipping our toes in. He would tell me stories of his swimming adventures, painting a picture of the water as a friend, not a foe. He never rushed me, never pushed me. He was sensitive to my fear and respected it.

Overcoming Fear

Slowly but surely, I began to see the water in a new light. I started to understand that my fear was not of the water itself, but of the unknown. And the only way to conquer that fear was to dive in and explore. With my grandfather’s gentle guidance, I did just that. I learned to swim, and in the process, I learned a valuable lesson about sensitivity.

The Power of Sensitivity

Sensitivity is not about being weak or fragile. It’s about understanding and respecting the feelings and fears of others. It’s about guiding them gently, not pushing them forcefully. It’s about helping them overcome their fears at their own pace, not at the pace you think they should go.

So, my dear friends, let’s be sensitive to the fears and feelings of others. Let’s guide them gently, with understanding and respect. And who knows, we might just help them learn to swim.

Until next time,

Kev