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With summer coming to an end, I wanted to share my story. Of How I learned to swim.

If you don't know how to swim, you can always learn! There are many ways to learn, Lots of classes. Or you can family help you learn.

# How Did I learn to swim #
As a kid, I was in Pheonix Arizona. My dad was doing work there. We were stuck living at a motel for well over a month. It was hard sometimes. I spent my whole life in Utah. So I was used to being able to go out and play during the day, But in Arizona, it was too hot. My mom made us wait for the sun to go down, We then would be able to go outside to the pool, and play in a small area, Until I got a cactus thorn stuck deep in my foot, While chasing a jackrabbit in a field of cactus's. I was never allowed to play outside in Arizona again as result. 
So our only option was the pool! 
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During the day I stayed in the motel room the whole time with my brother and sister. Watching SpongeBob, and playing with play-doh. There wasn't much for us to do. We moved from room to room, So that was interesting! The third room we stayed in was pretty nicely sized. It had a kitchen and stuff. While the first room was awful! My family of five had to sleep cramped in one tiny room. So our upgraded room was better. But still boring for a child to be locked up all day. 

We had a grapefruit tree outside our hotel room. It was so nice! I hated grapefruit, But being able to pick such a fat fruit off a freaking tree was so amazing! I was so used to apples, pears, and other fruits that grapefruit, lemons, and oranges just seemed so freaking bizarre. 
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 I was trying to learn how to swim using floaties. But I wasn't learning very quickly. My mom monitored me too closely. She didn't let me "swim" if I even sank a tiny bit beneath the water, She'd pull me up immediately. I was never allowed to take the floaties off. Even in the 3 feet where I could touch just fine! She was always within two feet of me. I was at least six years old at the time. 


The sun was almost down, and it was time! I had already gotten ready, But my mom was super sluggish, and I was sick of waiting.  I knew I'd have to deal with her crazy worrying ways, Which went way out of proportion.

 I ran away before my mom was finished getting ready, and I jumped in the 6 feet right in the middle. I sunk to the bottom, very quickly. I couldn't breathe.

# My mom will never come outside in time, If I don't start swimming I will die! #
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My throat started burning. I was pained, I needed air. I began thrashing my arms violently. I floated up a bit. I kept paddling my arms and kicking my legs.

I kicked off the bottom of the pool, and I reached the surface. 

My mom had run in through the metal gate of the pool horrified. 

## I TOLD YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM THE POOL! ## she screamed.
I was so happy I didn't care.
# I'M SWIMMING MOM I'M SWIMMING! # I wasn't a strong swimmer, But I was swimming around the six feet not touching the wall! I was so proud of myself. 
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But I was later grounded for what I did... 


# That is how I learned to swim #

It's kind of how I feel about life; Sometimes you need to jump in feet first into the unexpected. 
You'll learn fast Because you'll HAVE TO! 
You'll either start to drown or swim, If you start drowning sometimes people will help you! Sometimes you'll end up at "rock bottom" but you'll learn a valuable lesson.

## So you have to take it into your hands! ##

As children, We often lack fear of the unknown. We'll take risks. 

We are then conditioned to fear the unknown. As if, Somehow this world is meant to work against us. 

## Does this world REALLY work against us? Because I feel like it's the opposite... ##

# This world works in the direction we WANT IT TO! #
If we feel insecure, and deep down feel unworthy, I feel like those people are more likely to have bad things happen to them,
But if we are strong, and we deep down feel like we can accomplish anything, We really can accomplish anything.

I jumped into the pool on impulse. I could have died. I could have drowned. But I did it Because I knew my mom would never let me near the six feet. 

## She prevented my growth as a person because she refused to let me try new things ##

It's important as a parent to watch out for the well being of your child But at the same time. Your child needs to endure discomfort and pain. I'm not saying she should have watched me drown. Or let me jump in by myself.

# But when my feet can touch the bottom of the damn pool. Let me take off those fucking floaties! Especially when you are IN THE POOL SUPERVISING ME! # 

My mom just wanted to keep me alive, But she never thought of my future. She lost her temper and beat the crap out of us, But never allowed us to do things, Because she feared us dying. But sometimes you have to take the risk of dying, In order to live.
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*Thanks Pexels for the great photos*