A Reflection of My Childhood
We didn’t get to choose the childhood we were given, but we can choose what to do with the stuff of our childhood memories.

I have always been fascinated by water. There is something that always pulls me towards it.
Over the years, I have felt some deep connection with water.
It takes me back to old childhood memories. Like a time-traveling experience, where I can relive those memories again as if they have just happened.
And don’t we love to go back in time and reminiscence our good old memories?
I recall a vivid memory when I was three and just started my swimming lessons. I was standing beside my mom and the swimming coach, but all I was doing was staring at the pool, intrigued by the depth of the pool. And possibly imagining what it would feel like if I just jumped (which if I remember correctly must have been a 12 feet pool).
My mother could tell by the way I was looking at the pool, that I was tempted to jump. Maybe just once.
Mom warned me. She told me not to jump into the pool.
But the child has a mind of its own. Right?
Did my three-year self then understand the consequences of jumping into a pool without knowing how to swim? Of course, not.
Mom turned her back towards me to continue talking to the coach. And in the next moment, I jumped.
And of course, right after that, dived my swimming coach, and two lifeguards to rescue me.
I still remember the drowning feeling for the few seconds as I touched the ground of the pool before I was rescued.
It took me a few years to get over that moment of fright, but you have to keep trying isn’t it? Never give up.
I have always let curiosity lead me. But curiosity can also lead you to trouble.
Now when I think of this incident, it only makes me laugh at my younger self with giggles and laughter. Oh! The joy and thrill of doing something you are forbidden.
I confess. I still enjoy it ;)
Reflections of Our Childhood Memories
Think back to your first memory. Can you remember your age? Or how you felt? What did you learn?
A reflection of our childhood memories teaches us a lot about ourselves.
Here’s what I learnt about myself.
Water has always kept me calm. I knew that. I’ve always been a restless child. My mind could not stop thinking of playing new tricks. So swimming was an excellent exercise for me to release all my energy.
This human–water connection that I feel when I am doing under-water swimming, snorkeling and hopefully scuba-diving in the future is that it transports my mind to a mildly meditative state. It changes my mental state to become more calm, peaceful, giving a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life at the moment.
But what I now understand over the years about water is that it helps you practise mindfulness.
What we also need to know is that we are naturally drawn towards things that teach us a mode for our survival for living in a fast-paced environment.
Water means something different to everyone.
Water also drives many of our decisions — from the seafood we eat, to our most romantic moments, and from where we live, to the sports we enjoy, and the ways we vacation and relax.
We know instinctively that being by water makes us healthier, happier, reduces stress, and brings us peace.
We are shaped by our childhood experiences. The choices we make are not just what happens to us. It makes us and defines us. They carve our soul; they mould our being; their force has an impact greater than other memories.
Life teaches us our ways of survival. While some people love mountains where they can find inner peace and solitude. And they are some people like me who are drawn to the blue waters to achieve calmness, serenity and inner peace.
But with time, we understand that it’s only when we connect the dots looking backward, that we learn that life was teaching us something.
We always learn from our own experiences.
