Stay In Your Lane

Have you ever watched a competitive swimmer and wonder how they stay in their lane or when to make that turn? Growing up swimming competitively I quickly learned the value of the ropes set for each specific lane. Even the swimming pool itself was a limited circumference that could change from twenty-five yards on up to fifty meters. Knowing your space was vital for each race.

1. Perfecting each stroke for arm movement, kicks, heights, strength of pull.
2. Finding a focal point above you in the race that helps you stay on course.
3. Staying hydrated so that you do not experience vertigo while racing.
4. Knowing how many strokes for each event it takes to get to the wall.
5. Knowing when to turn.
6. Eating the proper food prior to the race. (Back then it was Knox blocks Jell-O squares or dry gelatin…. boy would the AAU balk at that today)

All of these and others are necessary tools that help the swimmer stay in their lane.

As I began the work to truly break free from the circular pattern of abuse in my life, I began to study boundaries. It was listed as a key problem with people who suffer from many forms of abuse. Are you a “yes” girl? Well, I discovered that I am. I would say yes to anything anybody wanted to do or wanted me to do, even if I did not want to do it. Yes, had a way of making me feel wanted.

Going to the gym one day I was contemplating the concept of boundaries. The swim team had taken up several lanes, so I sat down to wait for them to finish. Sharing a lane is not the best scenario for a seasoned swimmer. It hit me that I liked to stay in my lane. When I finally had a free lane, I started like I always do, stretching then doing a 200 breaststroke. I was dizzy, lost focus on above, hit my wrist on the rope and had to stop for a bit. A sign that I had not hydrated well the last few days.

This is when the entire concept of boundaries hit me. I have good boundaries when it comes to certain things in my life. What an eye opener! They were set decades ago with a Russian coach who drilled me for hours on the proper tools to succeed in the race. So, I used this as a basis for boundary discovery.

May I suggest the same for you. Examine your life for areas in which you have good, healthy boundaries. As I unpacked the boundaries necessary for healthy, successful swimming I uncovered a few key ideas that helped me generate boundaries in other areas where I desperately needed it. Such as relationships, health, and spiritual growth.

1. Stay in your own lane. This is hard for me in most areas. I struggle with eating properly, exercising regularly. I spend more than I make sometimes. I also tend to jump into the fast lane when it comes to relationships. I become a door mat for those who use people. I had to define my lane, the safe parameters that keep me living my healthy, best life.
2. Hydrate. Your body with water, your soul with the Living Water, Jesus Christ. Fill up your mind with God’s word. It says ALOT about boundaries to live within to remain free. Protect your heart by building all relationships with clear margins on acceptable behavior and fill your days with one’s that breathe life into your dry bones.
3. Focus. Set your sights on things above, Colossians 3:2. A posturing of the eyes towards heaven. When I lose that focus it is my circular patterns that rear their ugly head. Now if that happens, I know I need to regain clear focus.
4. Warnings. Red flags are usually present before we take the leap into unchartered waters. If I have not hydrated it causes a struggle internally in my body, which in turn takes my eyes off the destination, which in turn causes harm. Heed the red flags that present themselves to you. I have a tendency to ignore them. we must learn to listen to these red flags. They are usually blatantly obvious and in direct conflict with what you know is right.

That little girl above was hydrated, focused, and ready. She won first place that day in the 50 Butterfly and broke her record. Her finger was pink from sucking dried gelatin for energy. She was prepared and she stayed in her lane. This woman 55 years later needs to learn the boundaries of that little swimmer. I am taking it one step at a time, and I hope you too will do the work.

Do you struggle with this? I would love to hear your stories on how you set clear boundaries in your life.