Every Woman's Therapy

Shopping.Some would say that it just might be THE best therapy for a female searching for a way to feel better about herself. There's that rush of excitement in the dressing room, turning before the mirror in light that may make her look just a little better than when she got dressed that morning. Absolutely, a must have addition to her summer wardrobe, she decides almost immediately. Emerging from behind the curtain, she hands the clerk her credit card. It is swiped through the machine, the transaction is complete, her new frock wrapped in colorful tissue and slung over her arm in a shopping bag she will reuse because it's too nice to throw away. Then comes the anticipation of when and where she will show it off first. It's only Monday, and she has no big plans until Friday night. That's ok though. She'll take it home and hang it in her closet where she can catch a glimpse of it each day as she heads off to work. On one of those mornings, she pauses. Did she spend too much money? Was it an impulse buy? It wouldn't be the first time. Nope. Her friends will ask her where she got it. She's sure it is a good and necessary addition to her wardrobe… and she will probably have to adjust her budget a tad next month. Friday takes forever to come, it seems. But when it does, she walks out the door feeling that same rush as the day she bought it.

Swimming

Eventually a major priority as a parent when raising their child is to teach their child how to swim. I have been swimming since the age of four. I believe it is in my blood to be a swimmer seeing that my two uncles and my dad were both competitive swimmers. My dad graciously passed his talent on to me and my sister. We were both brought up swimming on a swim team at the age of 6. My sister and I have continued to swim throughout our years in high school. After my graduation in May,I recall that I have been swimming for 14 consecutive years. Not only have my sister and I been members of the Varsity team in high school, but we have also chosen to swim competitively for Swim Atlanta.Swim Atlanta is an organization for elementary to high school students who are willing to further commit their lives to the swimming world.My sister, for example,traveled all over Georgia to compete in swim meets at the competition level. Many swimmers involved in this program plan to swim in college and possibly make swimming a career if given the opportunity. The life as a swimmer entails keeping up with crazy practice hours, maintaining a fit physique at all times, and a healthy diet that provides enough fuel to last a swimmer through hours of practice each day.As time consuming and exhausting the swim world may sound, the hard work and dedication is well worth the benefits of a strong swim. The adrenalin rush before a big race...the intimidation from looking at the swimmers next to you...its all in the mind as to how much you are willing to put into the water. Seeing that I am a sprinter, it comes down to every little detail to determine the best. In 25.2 seconds I make my way down and back in the pool. For some that time seems like nothing. For others, like myself, in moments like this, it means everything.There is no greater feeling as a swimmer when you touch the wall and look up seeing that you have not only improved your time, but defeated everyone else swimming in the pool.The satisfaction in knowing that all of your hard work has paid off goes so far. It keeps you energized and willing to continue setting new goals and do everything possible in order to achieve them.