People have tried to make it clear to you, Ion, that you will not be recognized by USMS or SWIM magazine unless you swim a lot faster. They have also tried to point out, in a nutshell, that your attitude comes across as sour grapes.
I am going to postulate that you would like to be recognized for overcoming whatever it is you have overcome. SWIM magazine doesn't have the space to do it. And they certainly don't have the manpower (interviewers and photographers) to cover every story there is to tell, especially in regard to overcoming adversity.
So, here it is. I wish everyone would take the chance to tell their stories. Think of it as a SWIM web page for sharing of personal histories.
I know Tom Ellison has an amazing story that I wish he would put here. I know of many other swimmers who have overcome tremendous adversity. I hope this thread will become an inspiration to us all, and that we will all realize, as I have lately, that: looking at the past can be painful, so don't (as long as you don't repeat it!), who knows what the future holds, so quit worrying about it, and be happy in the present because it's the only thing you really have control over.
Parents
Former Member
I think that you have strong differences in personality between me and others here:
Originally posted by Tom Ellison
...
Dorothy and MarkMD are both last bloomers to our sport. NEITHER swimmer has lamented on starting late in life or used that fact to justify times that may not meet NQT’ or Top Ten Times or times that are competitive within their age groups. NOT ONE TIME!
Each of these swimmers has accepted the fact that they came to swimming late in life and are making the best of the sport they now chose to compete and enjoy. I know Mark well, he is my friend and I have talked with him many times regarding his swimming, swimming expectations, goals, stroke, attitude, swim meet strategy, swim times and most of all what he brings…(dedication) to the table we call USMS.
Marks’ attitude is one of the basic foundations or tenants of Masters Swimming. He swims to remain fit, good health, camaraderie with his fellow swimmers and for the love of the sport. Mark enters competitions and swims the best he can and never gives a second thought to WHAT times he COULD have swam had he began swimming as a child. In fact, Mark is relentless in his goal to become a faster swimmer and to someday swim NQT’s..and be more competitive within his age group.
...
and
Originally posted by Karen Duggan
...
You just feel good about it, build on it, and most of all SHUT UP ABOUT IT. It says nothing positive about character if you dwell on the: could have been, should have been, would have been.
...
As I wrote earlier, "The biggest adversity that I overcome is to force my destiny.".
In swimming, but more importantly in life.
It is a heavy statement.
In one hand you have content people.
In another hand you have me being discontent.
In July 2002, I posted this quote from George Bernard Shaw:
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.
Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
Content people don't force things much, they accept and go along with things the way they are, and often don't exercise courage.
Discontent people achieve more when they are breaking grounds.
In my lifestyle I don't value much content people who thrive on conformity.
I think that you have strong differences in personality between me and others here:
Originally posted by Tom Ellison
...
Dorothy and MarkMD are both last bloomers to our sport. NEITHER swimmer has lamented on starting late in life or used that fact to justify times that may not meet NQT’ or Top Ten Times or times that are competitive within their age groups. NOT ONE TIME!
Each of these swimmers has accepted the fact that they came to swimming late in life and are making the best of the sport they now chose to compete and enjoy. I know Mark well, he is my friend and I have talked with him many times regarding his swimming, swimming expectations, goals, stroke, attitude, swim meet strategy, swim times and most of all what he brings…(dedication) to the table we call USMS.
Marks’ attitude is one of the basic foundations or tenants of Masters Swimming. He swims to remain fit, good health, camaraderie with his fellow swimmers and for the love of the sport. Mark enters competitions and swims the best he can and never gives a second thought to WHAT times he COULD have swam had he began swimming as a child. In fact, Mark is relentless in his goal to become a faster swimmer and to someday swim NQT’s..and be more competitive within his age group.
...
and
Originally posted by Karen Duggan
...
You just feel good about it, build on it, and most of all SHUT UP ABOUT IT. It says nothing positive about character if you dwell on the: could have been, should have been, would have been.
...
As I wrote earlier, "The biggest adversity that I overcome is to force my destiny.".
In swimming, but more importantly in life.
It is a heavy statement.
In one hand you have content people.
In another hand you have me being discontent.
In July 2002, I posted this quote from George Bernard Shaw:
"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.
Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man."
Content people don't force things much, they accept and go along with things the way they are, and often don't exercise courage.
Discontent people achieve more when they are breaking grounds.
In my lifestyle I don't value much content people who thrive on conformity.
