Theme Thursday: Begin

This week the kids started swim lessons. And since I was also busy choking back tears, all you get is a blurry photo to look at. It's so hard to resist the urge to rescue your children when they're scared. And as I sat there for a half an hour, it occurred to me that it really was just the beginning. Not just of learning how to swim, but more importantly of learning how to push through fear. I thought about how fear and beginnings almost always come together. You can go your whole life running away. But learning how to push through it is crucial to being happy. So I've been just watching her saying, "You're okay sweetie, I promise." as "Mr. Talu" tries to get her to blow bubbles. As a sidenote, Mr. Talu has a huge fraternity (not tattoo) BRAND on his left arm. So I'm sure he's crazy (which makes me like him more). But he is also the KINDEST teacher. He spends his mornings with HYSTERICALLY FRANTIC children PIERCING his eardrums, with the BLOODY MURDER HOWLS OF TORTURE. Yet his voice never raises above a reassuring whisper. Which brings me to my next point...Wow, I think I've been getting a lot out of this :0) ...I realized that learning to swim (as with many things) has so little to do with skill, as much as it has to do with Letting Go. Relaxing. Trusting. Here Emily is, terrified, but the reality is that she is TOTALLY safe. I can relate, because sometimes I forget that too.

If you want to check out all the other BEGINNINGS, be sure to visit Tracey's site. You have to especially see her interpretation today. She has somehow managed to make a photograph look like an oil painting, and it is BEAUTIFUL!

Shoot, I have one more thing to mention (while we're on the topic of beginnings and all). I've been the worst procrastinator about my blog at WOAI. I know this is such a great opportunity. And I have to thank "CyberBob" for that. He's been telling me (and he's right) that I'm thinking too much about it and I just need to jump in and BEGIN. So, I will. But my question has been about how to make that blog different from this one. So, I'm asking for your help. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE OVER THERE? So far, I'm thinking makeup and beauty tips. Other photographers and artist interviews? Photo tips? What else? Help me finally BEGIN that project PLEASE!

Comments

[Melody A.]

Was she in without you? Beautifully spoken.

[Chasity]

your post is right on today. i've been thinking about so many of these things lately. stepping out means sometimes setting yourself up for failure and that's hard to swallow. but to learn anything you have to fail a little right? so emily will probably drink a couple gallons of chlorine but she'll soon be doing the breast stroke and the butterfly too! :)

[Christina]

Wow. Powerful words for all of us to remember both our children and ourselves. Well spoken. And such a sweet picture of your daughter's fear while being encircled in safety.

[Anna]

What a great story, told in one great image.

[kim]

Love the story. It's a great picture.

[tracey]

That could've been taken at the swim school my daughter goes to! It's hard to let go but once you do, you soar. Your daughter will too. As long as you can bare the crying for a while! ; )

I'm excited about your new project. YAY for you!!!! Begin, begin, begin...you can do it!

[Susan]

Maile---you are an excellent writer. Maybe a book is in your future...