So the summer 2013 is barely underway, but I have managed to get in two sculling lessons before our family vacation this week. There are things I love about being out on the water, safely followed by an instructor who is gently prodding me along, giving small tips, simple reminders, understanding that when I overthink it, I flail more than when I just get into a groove and stroke.

This morning’s lesson was fine, but I was feeling a little tired and also pretty tense. Since I started taking lessons last summer, I have been overly focused on NOT tipping, seeing that as a sign of failure. Tipping over = failure. So through summer 2012 ans the start of 2013 I have felt some sense of accomplishment until today. Yes, I tipped.

Lessons?

Tipping = learning, not failure. For one thing, it was refreshing. For another, I survived. For a third thing, I learned that the experience will actually help me focus on the joy of rowing now that my record of staying upright is over, and chances, are, I will actually start to improve a little more because I can relax into dealing with my technique and not avoiding going in the water.

More to follow…