What happened to that little girl?
The girl that stood on the edge of the pool looking down at the beautiful, cool, but deep water; the water she wanted to jump into and splash around in, to take as an opportunity for freedom to swim around until blissful exhaustion took over.
The girl that felt the fear of going in over her head, risking it even though she wasn't able to swim, and worse, that she wouldn't reach the surface to breathe.
The girl who, shivering with fear, but with tightly-closed eyes and her courage taking over, jumped from the safety of land to the sheer ecstasy of silent coolness!
What happened to that little girl who wanted her freedom so badly that she was willing to overcome her fear of what might happen?
What happened to that little girl who knew deep in her heart that she would be OK, that she would reach the surface, breathe and make it to the safety of the edge.
What happened to that little girl who did pop up to the surface, giggling hysterically, only to spend the next two hours jumping, splashing and paddling around the pool; playing to her heart's content?
Sitting in the shade on the side watching everyone else having a great time was not for her.
I've got news for you, you are still that little girl.
But somehow, the complex and often complicated life you lead has shown you that sometimes when you jump, you swallow water and come to the surface coughing and gasping for air; feeling like you are going to drown. And for a moment, you realize that you aren't in control and you wonder if you are going to be OK.
So, hesitant to feel out of control and having stayed out of the pool for so very many years, you simply convince yourself that you never really liked playing in the water all that much anyway.
You want to splash around.
You want to paddle around for hours until you are spent.
Well guess what? You can.
All you have to do is close your eyes and let your courage take over. Yes, the courage that is abundant
within you, even though you haven't let it out.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.