Watching my kids swimming lessons this week, I noticed two types of swimmers. The focused swimmer with clean strokes gliding through the water. And there is the thrasher – lots of noise, water, and limbs going everywhere. Both types of swimmers made progress. Both even seemed to be loving it and having fun. However the impact on those beside them was quite different and the distance travelled was radically different.

I find it easier to be a thrasher in life. Perhaps its the fear of missing out (FOMO) or my genuine interest and curiousity of how the world works and fits together. Or perhaps it’s my lack willingness to commit.

However the other thing I’ve noticed over time is that all kids seem to start off as thrashers and some transition to gliders. Therefore, perhaps thrashing is part of how we learn.

As we head into week 2 of 2022, most resolutions will be forgotten or broken. Perhaps it’s helpful to ask what we want to learn this month and embrace the thrashing about on our way to gliding. And also, identify the areas you are a thrasher and the areas you are a glider already.

The choice is up to us.

Photo by sydney Rae