As the summer temperatures rise we have been spending more time at the YMCA pool. One thing I have always enjoyed at the pool is watching people. One can learn many things about how relationships function at the pool as children play. What do relationships have to do with healthy living habits? Actually, quite a lot.
When you are making changes in your routines the relationships around you have a huge impact on your likelihood of success. Some people will try to hold you back, some people will encourage you, and you will need some new relationships to teach you new skills. How are these relationships observed at the pool?
When children arrive at the pool they check out who is there. Are any friends around to play with? If yes they quickly join in whatever games their friends are playing. We often do this with our health habits too – we tend to do the things our friends are doing. It can strain some of those relationships if we want to change.
When a child gets tired of a game at the pool he may look for another group of children playing something else. In the same way if we want to change our habits we may look for a group of people who are doing the things we want to be doing. We can draw strength an encouragement from these new relationships.
Finally, if a child wants to do something that no one else at the pool is doing he may form his own group. Sometimes it is necessary for us to create our own new group as we develop new healthy habits in our lives. These new relationships may include mentors to guide and teach us.
As you enjoy the pool this summer remember how the ebb and flow of relationships is an important part of making healthy choices in your life. Would love to hear how your relationships have changed as you make new healthier choices in the comments below.