I stand before the water; no second thoughts enter my brain before I dive in. I have done this a million times…
The coolness of the water pulls my breath from my chest in an instant, I emerge from the depths gasping for air. I underestimated the swiftness of the current and I was being dragged downriver. I fight against the current in vain, struggling, fighting to maintain some sort of control against the water.
Don’t panic…. Don’t panic….. Don’t panic… Keep your head, you know what to do.
Finally, I relax into the flow of the rushing water; I let my body float trying to hold my head above the depths of death. I lean my head backwards, water occasionally filling my nostrils. I closed my eyes, suddenly the fear washed from me. I was filled with a tranquility of sorts, a sudden sense of knowing.
It would be so easy to give into the water and let it take me, but I have to fight. I will not give up; I will not give into it. I feel the water's current pull me back down, submerging me. My mind screams, my body fights…
Don’t Panic! Don’t Panic
I am being pushed back to the surface, I open my eyes as I gasp for air and see a velvety purple horizon giving me strength to continue, strength to not give up.
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This is inspired by actual events in my life and I have come to realize, that just because I am not drowning in water, I am drowning in life and I can use this experience to guide me. I can fight against life's obstacles in much the same way as the water.
All I must do is hold my head high and fight!
