Mile
Drowning people are difficult to save. To earn my swimming merit badge, I learned and practiced drills for saving people from the water.
I was taught to stay focused on the person while swimming towards them. They might move around or even go underwater. By maintaining eye contact, I found it easier to keep track of their location as I got closer to help them. When drowning, the fight-or-flight response is engaged. Whichever path they choose complicates the attempt to bring them to safety.
Later in my scouting endeavors, I was trying to earn my “mile swim patch.” We were in a lake with a buoy half a mile out from the dock. I was a decent swimmer and felt very ready for the challenge. They blew the whistle, and I dove into the water. Face down, I crawled quickly through the water. I knew I was making excellent time. My strokes felt strong and smooth. I was skating across the lake to that buoy. I must be making tremendous time because I could hear the other swimmers behind me. They were quite a bit behind me. I knew I was really close to the buoy, so I lifted my head to look. I saw only an open lake.
I turned toward the noise, and the rest were heading for the buoy. I’d veered off course. That’s when I remembered the previous lesson. The rest of the way, I kept my eyes on the target. First to the buoy, then back to the dock. Swimming a mile is hard work. Swimming more than a mile was way more difficult.
I took my eye off where I was headed and drifted. I was able to reset. I was able to course-correct. Similarly, when I focus on our differences, we veer apart. The more I highlight those differences, the further we drift.
I don’t always recognize when I am drowning. It is hard to accept that I need help, but sometimes I just need help. I need someone to come and get me. Someone to extend a hand. I will probably be stressed and might fight them off. By the time I realize it, they’ve moved on.
Do I recognize those who are trying to help me? Can we draw closer by seeing what we have in common? Am I getting closer or further from where I wish to head?
Be curious, be kind, be whole, do good things.