Dream or Nightmare?

There are pros and cons to all things. Something may seem completely horrible but if you look deep into it there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. The same thing can be said about the opposite, if you look hard enough, there WILL be something negative found in the positive. The glass can be seen half full or half empty, all about perspective. Being a dedicated D1 athletes has its perks...but certainly has its downsides as well.

Perks of being a dedicated Student-Athlete:
      ~ you enjoy what you do
      ~ you tend to improve at things when you work hard and are motivated
      ~ people are impressed whenever they hear you mention that you're a "division 1 athlete"
      ~ free gear
      ~ scholarship
      ~ camaraderie with teammates
      ~ pursuit of championship / personal best
      ~ teaches effective time management
      ~ healthy habits are established
      ~ well-rounded

Downsides of being a dedicated Student-Athlete:
      ~ lack of sleep/social life
      ~ making sacrifices based on priority to the sport
      ~ time constraints
      ~ frustration with teammates when they don't put in the same dedication level as others
      ~ fear of failure
      ~ exhaustion / lack of energy
      ~ lack of time for other activities on campus
      ~ inability to study abroad because season pans across both semesters
      ~ forced friendship with teammates

Sometimes it depends on the day. One could have a performance that alters their mood for the rest of the week and sets the tone for their attitude. One can argue both sides as to whether or not being student-athlete is a dream or a nightmare.

thankful for swimming

Swimming has a way of taking my mind off of everything.
There's something about your face being submerged under water that makes everything else go away. You can't talk to anyone so you're stuck with your own thoughts. Wouldn't that make me more stressed out? Constantly thinking of what i have to do next... who i have to deal with...when i have to go somewhere.

Somehow that all goes away.

When i'm in the pool I focus on swimming. All my other problems seem insignificant. I can deal with them later. Being in the pool every day is like my therapy. Therapy for my body as exercise. And therapy for my mind as an escape.

If i didnt have a pool to escape to every day, I'd easily become overwhelmed with everything in my life. I can go into a practice angry at the world-- and somehow I come out of it calm and relaxed with a new perspective. I don't know how it works.

For this, I am thankful for swimming.