I decided in my 50th year I would attempt new things!! A lovely friend from work told me that she swims in the sea and I thought I want to give this wild swimming a try!
Jane said “I’ll add you to our Brass Monkey group chat then whenever you want to come I’ll come with you.”
I was told all I needed was a swimming costume,swimming gloves, swimming socks and a towel.
The day of my first dip came, it was a cold March evening and I was really nervous. My stomach was churning as I anticipated what emerging my body in freezing cold water would feel like!
The Brass Monkey swimmers welcomed me with smiles and told me all their names which I promptly forgot as my mind was raging as I looked at the waves!
Jane walked with me straight into the water reminding me to keep breathing. I walked slowly in and the ice cold water hit my skin the shock of it made me gasp.
I knew I needed to keep walking forward and not walk back out. The others around me cheered me on
”You’re doing great lass”
“Get your shoulders in”
“Wow you’re doing amazing”
When the cold waves hit my body I felt like I was having a panic attack until I started to control my breathing. Then I was swimming, the cold water made my body tingle,
I felt alert and alive! I lasted 8 minutes and everyone in the group congratulated me on staying in that long for my first dip!
Now I go once or twice a week and my body has adjusted to the cold.
Often the sea roars at you and the waves knock you off your feet. Life knocks you down but we always have to keep getting back up!
Other times when I go to the headland the water is like a lake and it’s so peaceful.
Clive and I went to Scotland and swam in two lochs. Now that is just the most beautiful experience ever! Surrounded by Gods magnificent creation swimming in clean fresh water I felt so close to my Creator.
Wild swimming has taught me so much. It’s taught me how much we need a community of people around us.
You never wild swim alone you always need someone to be there with you.
God has not created us to be alone the Brass Monkey group are amazing bunch of people. They all have their story to tell of why they have started wild swimming.
They all have different personalities and gifts. There’s the encouragers, the jokers , the activists the time keepers,the inspirers,
the welcomers and the story sharers.
Everyone is equal no one is more important than the other. No one is left out all are included.
God tells us to love one another and accept each other.
Romans ch 15:7 Accept one another, then just as Christ accepted you in order to bring praise to God.
We may all not have the same opinions or beliefs or the same political preferences but we can still accept one another.
God accepts us as we are, we are a small part in his amazing family.
Let’s show up for each other, include one another, encourage one another and enjoy each other’s company
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