and I laugh (literally laugh, out loud) every time. I'm laughing now as I type this! What a delight.
On a serious note (I love to be a buzzkill), are you familiar with the Taoist concept of Wu Wei? I only know about the very basics of it, but it's the more esoteric version of THE MORE YOU RELAX, THE MORE YOU FLOAT.
I didn't know about Wu Wei before seeing this comment, so I googled it. The ideas of not forcing things, of honoring stillness, of being calm while continuing to act when appropriate -- exactly what I needed right now. Thanks for mentioning that!
Oh you're so welcome! I actually hadn't thought of Wu Wei lately myself and was glad that Katie's essay made my own sweet, dumb brain remember it. I often shorthand it for myself as "effortless effort" (which I heard somewhere, I didn't come up with that).💫
As a swim teacher myself, I loved this. We often have to be loud as pools can be noisy and the kids can't hear us with their heads underwater. But we still try to be Fun & Loud instead of Mean & Loud as much as possible :)
Swimming has been a wonderful part of my life and has taught me a million and one life lessons, why else would we have phrases like "diving into the unknown", "being in over your head" and "going with the flow".
Oof, yes. This mantra is it. Deeply resonates as I write my memoir about (spoiler!) my lifelong fear of water, a traumatic pool experience as a baby, an inability to swim despite trying REALLY HARD, and of course a big ol' metaphor about control and letting go. I always think of the Julien Baker song lyric "the harder I swim, the faster I sink."
This hit my inbox at the perfect time (I've been thinking about the hectic rush to my own daughter's swim lesson later this afternoon!) As has been the case for many years now, your words were just what I needed to hear 💜
I love this one!!! What a great mantra. I tried a similar tactic the other day to be on my phone less and tried in transit to just stand and wait for a train, etc. and do nothing. We forget how with our email and the internet so accessible all the time. This is a reminder to do that regularly!
I love that concept - THE MORE YOU RELAX, THE MORE YOU FLOAT! Printing that out and putting it in a prominent place! I've always found it hard to just sit and BE. To relax and not feel like I am being lazy if I don't do anything for an hour or two.
When I'm teaching a swim lesson I often look toward the bleachers to see if the parent has noticed the milestone that was just accomplished by their kiddo and 90% of the time the parent is looking at their phone. I can't tell you how disheartening this is. I certainly understand all of the elements that compete for our attention and I applaud you for focusing yours on your daughter's progress. Kudos, Katie!
Well hot dang, this was so dang good! I love that swim coach!! That's brilliant and what a great way to get the kids to pay attention too! I love to float, there's something liberating in floating, especially out in the open water. That said, the art of float maybe comes with age. Something about understanding that if that one thing doesn't get done, the world isn't going to come to a screeching halt and if it does you probably won't care! Thanks for sharing this, great reminder as we all head into summer float season.
My eyes keep going back to:
“OLD MACDONALD HAD A FARM!” he bellows"
and I laugh (literally laugh, out loud) every time. I'm laughing now as I type this! What a delight.
On a serious note (I love to be a buzzkill), are you familiar with the Taoist concept of Wu Wei? I only know about the very basics of it, but it's the more esoteric version of THE MORE YOU RELAX, THE MORE YOU FLOAT.
🧜 🏖️ 🧜
hahaha, I wish you could hear him! As silly as it is, that refrain echoes in my brain WAY more often.
I didn't know about Wu Wei before seeing this comment, so I googled it. The ideas of not forcing things, of honoring stillness, of being calm while continuing to act when appropriate -- exactly what I needed right now. Thanks for mentioning that!
Oh you're so welcome! I actually hadn't thought of Wu Wei lately myself and was glad that Katie's essay made my own sweet, dumb brain remember it. I often shorthand it for myself as "effortless effort" (which I heard somewhere, I didn't come up with that).💫
As a swim teacher myself, I loved this. We often have to be loud as pools can be noisy and the kids can't hear us with their heads underwater. But we still try to be Fun & Loud instead of Mean & Loud as much as possible :)
Swimming has been a wonderful part of my life and has taught me a million and one life lessons, why else would we have phrases like "diving into the unknown", "being in over your head" and "going with the flow".
I love this! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and skills, Percy!
Me screaming at myself while writing: THE MORE YOU RELAX, THE MORE YOU FLOAT!
hahaha WHY ISN'T IT WORKINGGGG
Oof, yes. This mantra is it. Deeply resonates as I write my memoir about (spoiler!) my lifelong fear of water, a traumatic pool experience as a baby, an inability to swim despite trying REALLY HARD, and of course a big ol' metaphor about control and letting go. I always think of the Julien Baker song lyric "the harder I swim, the faster I sink."
Oh wow! It fits so perfectly. Good luck with your writing!
This hit my inbox at the perfect time (I've been thinking about the hectic rush to my own daughter's swim lesson later this afternoon!) As has been the case for many years now, your words were just what I needed to hear 💜
That means a lot! Thanks, Sarah. And good luck with swim lessons today!
This is so so timely and helpful. I was writing this in my journal the other day: “what if I just float?” Such good words as always, Katie!
Thank you, Bre!
I love this one!!! What a great mantra. I tried a similar tactic the other day to be on my phone less and tried in transit to just stand and wait for a train, etc. and do nothing. We forget how with our email and the internet so accessible all the time. This is a reminder to do that regularly!
Amen!!
I love that concept - THE MORE YOU RELAX, THE MORE YOU FLOAT! Printing that out and putting it in a prominent place! I've always found it hard to just sit and BE. To relax and not feel like I am being lazy if I don't do anything for an hour or two.
I’m so glad it resonated! And I know your struggle!!
When I'm teaching a swim lesson I often look toward the bleachers to see if the parent has noticed the milestone that was just accomplished by their kiddo and 90% of the time the parent is looking at their phone. I can't tell you how disheartening this is. I certainly understand all of the elements that compete for our attention and I applaud you for focusing yours on your daughter's progress. Kudos, Katie!
She’s doing great, Jackie! Can’t wait for you to see her progress in Vermont 🍁❤️
Well hot dang, this was so dang good! I love that swim coach!! That's brilliant and what a great way to get the kids to pay attention too! I love to float, there's something liberating in floating, especially out in the open water. That said, the art of float maybe comes with age. Something about understanding that if that one thing doesn't get done, the world isn't going to come to a screeching halt and if it does you probably won't care! Thanks for sharing this, great reminder as we all head into summer float season.
Thanks, Lori!
Just shared with my mom group because YES, this message is for us. Thank you <3
Aw, that means so much. Thanks, friend!