ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, August 26, 1996 TAG: 9608260091
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Monty S. Leitch
SOURCE: MONTY S. LEITCH
A VERY proud grandmother I know told me this story last week:
Her 5-year-old grandson, Christopher, took swimming lessons this summer and truly enjoyed them. But he had trouble with one of the final requirements: jumping into the deep end of the pool.
He could swim all the way across by himself, and he could put his face under the water without any problem, but taking that final leap - well, it was just more than he could manage.
His teacher, however, passed him on to the next level. "He's doing fine for a child his age," she said. "Besides, he'll jump when he's ready."
Later in the summer, Christopher visited with relatives in Florida, where he played and played in their swimming pool. Just for laughs, his mother bought a disposable underwater camera. "Jump in, Chris," she said, "and I'll take your picture underwater."
Now, what might have gone through the child's mind at this point? Did he recognize the bribe? Or did he just decide the time was right, the prize worth the final leap?
He gathered himself, and jumped. Right into the deep end of the pool.
Later, back home, he showed his grandmother the pictures from his trip. "Why, look at you!" she exclaimed, when she came to the photos of him jumping into the pool. "You jumped in!"
He turned to her with shining eyes. He turned to her with a smile. "Grandmother," he said, with something of awe in his voice, "I faced my fear." It's no small thing: facing your fears.
And fears are great, whatever they are. Facing up to any one of them is bound to inspire more than a little awe.
Earlier this summer, one friend told me of speaking up for herself and her opinions - twice in one week! Another told me of taking a self-defense class - and doing quite well in it! Each of them spoke with something of awe in her voice. Each of them had surprised herself by facing one of her fears.
A long time ago, I stayed overnight by myself in a beach house at a North Carolina resort. In the night, an intruder woke me as he crawled through one of the front windows. Flashlight in hand, I met him in the living room. In no uncertain terms, and in a very loud voice, I gave him some clear, if scatological, directions about leaving my house, forthwith.
"Don't hurt me, lady!" he whimpered. Then he crawled out, as he'd crawled in.
Some fears were faced that night. By both of us, I think.
Consider, for a minute, what you fear. The dark? Speaking to strangers? Idle chit-chat at parties? Perhaps it's learning to drive or tasting Brussels sprouts or signing up for a college course. Giving a speech, wearing your bathing suit in public, disagreeing with your mother or your boss, sitting alone in silence, remembering your dreams, getting old. Perhaps it's speaking to a person of another race, another age, another nationality. Perhaps it's risking friendship with someone needier than you.
What might push you to face your fear? What might nudge you over the edge of the swimming pool, so to speak, and into the deep end? When will you be ready to leap?
Ask Christopher, or either of my friends, about the rewards. Look at their shining eyes. Listen to the awe in their voices, the hint of genuine pride. Then consider, for yourself, if now is not the time.
Monty S. Leitch is a Roanoke Times columnist.
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