This morning, I had an experience that left me stung—literally and figuratively. It was a swim that turned into a lesson about trust, fear, and listening to the signals our bodies give us. Here’s what happened and what I learned.
The Swim That Stung
I swim at Savannah Beach in Lewes, Delaware, several times a week. A couple of summers ago, I got stung by jellyfish from head to thighs, so I invested in a jellyfish suit and protective lotion. This morning, I suited up and dove in, only to be stung on my face within minutes.
Instead of listening to my body’s signals to stop, I pushed forward, determined to finish my usual mile-long swim. I swam through dozens of jellyfish, getting stung repeatedly. Eventually, panic set in, and I made my way to shore. To my surprise, the water closer to the shore was calmer, with fewer jellyfish.
The Lesson
This swim taught me something profound: sometimes, we don’t need to finish the swim. Sometimes, we need to get out of the water.
This applies to all areas of life. We don’t have to stay in jobs, relationships, or situations that sting us. We can walk away. And that’s okay.
Fear vs. Trust
Interestingly, I didn’t even feel like swimming this morning. I went because of fear—fear of missing my chance due to the forecasted rain. Acting out of fear led me into a situation where I ignored my body’s signals.
When we act out of trust instead of fear, we find easier ways to navigate life. Trusting my body this morning would have saved me from unnecessary pain.
This morning’s swim was a reminder to trust my body, trust my instincts, and trust the process. There’s no wrong way to do life—just easier ways. And when we act out of trust, we find those easier ways.
What signals is your body giving you today? Are you listening?
Here’s to your greatness,