Swimming with Alligators

Photo from floridastateparks.org/wakullasprings/photogallery.cfm

My husband was recently on an extended business trip in Tallahassee, Florida.  He decided to do a little exploring on the weekend and ended up at Wakulla Springs State Park.  While wandering, he heard a lot of screaming.  Turned out to be swimmers warning other swimmers about alligators in the water.  In fact, these swimmers were in the designated swimming area that has swimming platforms just in case alligators are sighted.

I was shocked and confused when I heard this; why would anyone swim with alligators on purpose?  Maybe it’s just a Florida thing, but I viewed it as an unnecessary risk.  The official state park website suggests that the platforms, located near the spring basin, are for “observation and dining.”  But from what my husband heard, alligators are common in the area and the platforms are there so you can get the heck out of the water.

This little vignette set me off on a bonafide thinking circus.  Why do we assume some risks are fine and others aren’t?  Why are we sometimes willing to take risks that don’t make any sense to others?  Are there risks that simply aren’t worth taking?

Maybe I’ve just gotten older, but I’ve discovered that I’m not as willing to take unnecessary risks.  And I’m probably more spontaneous and impulsive than most.  But l’ve found that slowing down and trying hard to be patient eliminates most of the unnecessary risk-taking in my life.

[URL=http://media.photobucket.com/user/theartistchick/media/alligator.jpg.html]

I’m not talking about always playing it safe and walking the straight and narrow.  But to swim with alligators, just because?  There were plenty of other beautiful vantage points to appreciate the view.

I’m trying to learn not to be reckless just because I can be.  I’m trying to learn that proper planning and patience are necessary before undertaking great risks.  Hope I don’t sound like a grumpy old killjoy, but for me these life lessons seem to be an important part of what I’m learning as I age in this uncertain time.

Am I suggesting that you never do anything wild and crazy?  Certainly not; and if you know me well you’re already smiling.  But if you’re going to swim with alligators, make sure that you are doing it for the right reasons.

Thanks for reading!  As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts about what I’ve written.  Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email.

Marianne M. Smith
Writer At The Ranch
Making You Look Brilliant One Word At A Time

http://writerattheranch.com
wordsmith@writerattheranch.com

Unlikely Conversations

http://photobucket.com/images/talking%20in%20airport" 

A woman collapsed next to me in the airport.  She was sobbing so hard that she could no longer breathe or stand.  I thought she was going to hit the floor.

I grabbed her from behind by the elbows, and said something like: “Please, let me help you!”  Suddenly, her whole demeanor changed.  She looked embarrassed, tried to control her tears, and looked grateful all at the same time.

Once she recovered a bit, I suggested we go and grab a bite to eat.  I had a substantial layover, I told her, and could use some company.  She explained that she had already eaten, but would be happy to keep me company.

We began a very unlikely conversation.  I unwittingly became the woman’s confessor.  She had just watched her husband board a plane.  They were trying hard to conceive a child, without any success.  She was ovulating, and now he was out of town for an extended period of time.  She felt inadequate, overwhelmed, and like a complete failure as a woman.

She told me that she did not feel comfortable discussing this with friends or family.  But somehow she could talk to me—a complete stranger who she would, most likely, never see again.  I understood this, as I once met a woman on the beach who I shared my own secrets with.

[URL=http://media.photobucket.com/user/norre01/media/Strangers.jpg.html]

Isn’t it interesting that we sometimes feel safer sharing secrets with strangers than we do with friends or family?  I suppose there is a presumed safety in anonymity, and perhaps a perception of less judgment.  Maybe there is less fabric to unravel.  Makes me wonder if we should reconsider who are best confessors are.

Have you ever had an experience like this?  If you’re comfortable sharing it, I’d love to hear about it.  Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email.

Marianne M. Smith
Writer At The Ranch
Making You Look Brilliant One Word At A Time

http://writerattheranch.com
wordsmith@writerattheranch.com