Tick Tock Goes The Clock

Time is a funny thing.

Sometimes it seems like it drags on, every second lasting a lifetime. And others, it goes by so fast you can't account for hours. There are times when you wish you could stop time, and freeze yourself in a moment or a feeling. But the clock keeps ticking on. Never stopping. Never failing. One of the few constant things in this hectic and stressful world.

I always find the notion of time so interesting. This summer has seemed to flown by. But everyday, in those hours, I felt like it was dragging, like it would never end, that this fall was a lifetime away. But then, I blinked, and suddenly, here we are, in the middle of July. I always used to say that with school, during the first week or two, it seems like time is dragging on and you feel like the year will never end. Then out of the blue you are taking finals and  you are saying goodbye to precious friends and memories. Funny how that happens.

It seems like just yesterday that I have over 100 days in Visalia this summer. And now, I have just a few weeks, and I honestly have no idea where the time has gone. Wasn't it only a few days ago I flew home and realized that I had no plans, no clue what I was going to do in order to stay busy this summer, no idea what to do? Yet here I am, with weeks that I can count on one hand left.

I still have no clue what I am doing, what I am going to do, or even what my options are. But oddly enough, it doesn't bother me as much. For those of you who know me, this is a huge breakthrough. I'm a planner. I have to know what the plan is, and all the teeny tiny details. I make plans years in advance. But if I have learned anything this summer (and trust me. I have learned quite a few lessons) it's that, even if I don't have a plan, time will still move forward. The sun will continue to set at night, and then rise again in the morning, bringing a new day, a new chance with it.

Victor Hugo wrote "Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise." His words ring a valuable truth. No matter how awful life seems, no matter how slowly time seems to pass, it will pass. And a new and better day is ahead. Turn your face towards the future with a smile upon your lips and allow yourself to see the beauty in the small things. You may find that time passes quicker than you think. Don't waste a single precious moment. Times not stopping for anyone!

You Know You Are A Swimmer When...

I am a swimmer. 100%.

I began swimming just before my 11th birthday. And, I haven't stopped since that time. I swam on a city team until I entered high school. There I was blessed to swim on the varsity team all four years and I also picked up a new passion, water polo, which I also played all four years of high school. Throughout my high school career, I was in the pool at least 5 days a week, for 9-10 months of the year. Basically, I was in the water...a lot. The pool is my home.

It may sound strange to some people, but the pool is my safe place. I feel in control of everything when I am in the water. Sometimes, the world gets too crazy and I feel like my world is spinning out of control, but when I slip into that water, it all goes away. I can relax and focus. It's where I feel most at home and where I can get some deep thinking done.

So, all this being said, it's really no surprise that even now, when I am stressed and frustrated, the first place I run to is the pool. There is something about water that calms me. When the world gets too loud and I can't seem to figure anything out, all I need to do is go under the water, and suddenly everything becomes still and quiet.

The pool is my safe haven. There is just something magical about it. Maybe you should give it a try.

Think about it.