More on Jumping In The Pool

More on Jumping In The Pool
by Jerome Green

Jumping into something can start one on a great journey of adventure and discovery. A month ago I wrote, “Jump In”, which was about me kick starting a fitness program. The journey has been a wonderful discovery of the present day athlete inside of me. I was running in the pool tonight and realized that while my body may look more like an slugabed than an Olympian, that it is my spirit and the discipline I learned by running all those miles during high school, college and after, that has stayed with me. Also, my spiritual training of listening to conscience has given me a Special Forces type of approach to this process. I had forgotten how strong I am when I am fully connected and present.

As I get older, I am discovering that I might have spent too much time trying to hold on to my past athletic abilities and memories. By jumping into the pool, I am learning that I am still an athlete, I am still competitive and I have the discipline to practice. Jumping into the pool has connected me more to conscience, and to my funny side. I can feel invigorated, funny and spirited. I feel a sense of accomplishment every time I get out of the pool. My accomplishments in the pool have carried over to my golf game, my weight training, my intellectual exploration and a happier more joyful marriage with my wife Gail.

In addition, I have started to take golf lessons once a week with Jimmy Rizzitto, who is an instructor at Westchester Golf course in Los Angeles. Jimmy is a wonderful instructor and really knows how to bring your personal game out of you. I am starting to weight train again, calling on the powerful training that I had with Pauliina Talus, who is from Finland, and has a wonderful understanding of how to train properly. Even though Pauliina is in Finland, I can still pull on her instruction when I am training. I also learned how to Moodle (online open source instructional program), thanks to my younger college sister, Gina from Moodlerooms.

Probably the greatest development that has come from me “Jumping In” has been a stronger connection with Gail (my wife). We danced in the house the other night and for the first time in about 10 years my body didn’t hurt. I even kept dancing for about 15 minutes by myself. I use to dance by myself all the time, and in fact, that is how Gail and I met. We even had a dancing wedding from beginning to end. A bone of contention between us over the past 10+ years has been about me not wanting to dance that much anymore. Simply, my body used to hurt, and the other night it didn’t!

Jumping into life is something that as I get older becomes more and more important. Bernie, Gail’s mom, who is 87 years old and still going strong is a great example of that. Bernie has demonstrated to me how much she is willing to learn and grow. I’ve seen her listen to conscience over the years, from our wedding day (we have an interracial marriage) where she stood up at our wedding proclaimed, “I said no, no, no, and now I say yes!” I have to admit that buckets of tears came down my face when Bernie spoke those words. Gail and I will be married 22 years this November 19th.

Finally, “Jumping In” has strengthened the connection between my son Pharoah and myself. He is a freshman in college and in a text today he asked me. “Are you still swimming in the pool?” I said yes. He then said. “I am proud of you”. Wow, I can’t begin to express the deep feelings I got from that text. I told him how much I appreciated his words.

I could feel that by me “Jumping In”, I was not only bringing something to myself, but to him. In fact, I would venture to say, my “Jumping In” has impacted many people in my life, because it has greatly impacted me.

I invite you to “Jump In” and explore the wonder called your Life.

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