This I Believe

I believe in perseverance.  Perseverance is a continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties.  I am a swimmer and I test this belief and limits in my own perseverance each time I go to swim practice. I know if I don’t put 110% into every practice I won’t get better.  Each swim practice challenges me both physically and mentally. I have to encourage myself  when my arms and legs hurt.  I have to challenge my desire to stop with determination to not give less than my best.

I believe that if you give up on something it was never worth trying at all. I didn’t always feel this way.  When I was younger, whenever I thought I wasn’t good at something I wanted to quit.  It was so much easier to take the easy way out because I wouldn’t have to push myself. As I got older I learned that you cannot be amazing at something you just started doing. I understand that you have to practice hard to be good at something.  I know now that if I never went to swim practice I would not be the swimmer I am today.  

There have been many people in my life that instilled this belief in me. The people that make me believe in myself every day are my swim coaches and parents. My swim coaches always encourage me to swim my best and never give up. I know that if I push myself I will be the best that I can be. They remind me often of perseverance. My parents always tell me to push myself and try my best in everything I do. Their positive attitude and belief in me also helped me to become a better swimmer. Without the encouragement of these people I probably would not be as good at swimming that I am today. I believe that if we all try really hard at something we can be good at it. It doesn't matter who you are you just have to try.

There have been times my belief in myself was tested.  It is at these times that I struggle with my former feelings and want to give up.  For example when I compare myself to swimmers that are very fast I want to give up because I feel that I am not good enough. These are the times I really have to put all my remaining energy into what I am doing and try my hardest.

 I’m not done yet, I have aspirations of improving and continuing with my swimming career.  I know one day after a lot of hard work and perseverance I will succeed in reaching my swimming goals.