Life In the Slow Lane

Last week I had the privilege of joining Marnie at the pool.  It was a fantastic experience for a myriad of reasons. All of which I will list below...

 

 It was really hot, and the pool was gloriously refreshing but not cold.

Marnie has a community of friends and acquaintances  that swim laps in the slow lane every day from 11:30 to 1.  Some are charming, some are funny, and all of them are inspiring and very friendly.  It's like walking into the bar in Cheers but instead of everyone crying out "Norm!", it's "Marn!".

 The pool sits in a park surrounded by conifer trees and is one of the most peaceful places I've ever had the luxury of being.

There's something very freeing about gliding through water slowly that drains every atom of frustration, resentment, stress,  and ill will from both your psyche  and your body.

Marnie even has the lifeguards wrapped around her finger, getting them to play the music she likes and having them pay special attention to swimmers she's concerned about.

It was such an honour to experience a community rite that refreshes, relaxes and produces such admiration for ones neighbors.  Swimming with Marnie's crew was a little like attending a master class on how to be a decent human being.  I found myself experiencing something truly spiritual and a whole heck of a lot of fun!