Being on a team has made so many positive changes in my life. Having a group of people who support and care for you whenever you may need it is priceless. The people in my life who have been true teammates are my favorite people. They are the ones who I turn to when I need help. They are the ones who care for me. They are the ones who I care for and will help back. We give to each other constantly, and take from each other too. The relationship of teammates is built on trust: trust that no one will take more than what they give, but will always give more than they take.
I have been on a number of teams in my life, but by far one of the most prominent teams in my life is my college swim team. I am continually inspired and in awe of how much my teammates care for each other. When someone is having a rough day in the pool, there will always be someone who notices and cheers you on. When I have rough days in the pool, never once have I not been pumped up by a teammate. Hearing those calls in between hard sets, like, "Let's get it going now!" or, "Last one, fast one!" gets me a little bit more fired up, and also assures me that I'm not the only one who may be tired. Sometimes in swimming I get so caught up in my own struggles, I forget that everyone else in that pool is going through something too. But hearing those calls in between sets puts things into perspective for me. I remember that I'm a part of something bigger, and that my teammates are counting on me to give 100% of what I have to give, just like I count on them to do the same.
We aren't a team in the pool only though. We are a team at all times, and I swear not a day has gone by when one of my teammates has not asked me, "Hey, how are you?" and wanted a genuine answer. I am so grateful to have found that. My teammates care not only about my swimming ability, but about me. Now to some that may not be surprising, because every person should care about each other's well-being genuinely. At least, that's what I believe. But not everyone is like that. Heck, I'm not like that, even though I try to be. So being able to be a part of a team that respects and cares for each other, with real and sincere feelings, is special.
I also see my coaches as being an integral part of my team. I have had coaches in the past who I haven't necessarily felt like they cared for me, and wanted to get to know me or even talk to me. And that sucks. However, my coaches of my college swim team are some of the most inspirational people I know. I have never met people more passionate about swimming than them. They truly love the sport. Before every meet, my head coach gives a talk to the whole team. Often he reminds us that we are not only swimming to get a good time, or to beat the person in the lane next to us, but we are swimming for each other. We swim for the team. I love that I have coaches who are not obsessed with winning. Don't get me wrong, the competitive spirit is still very present at competitions and in practice, but it's not always the main focus. I love that my coaches recognize what is most important, and what will stay with us years after we graduate: each other.
I wish everyone could have a team as uplifting and wonderful as mine. I wish everyone could be pushed to be the very best they can be by people who care. Thank you to my team, for giving me what you have thus far, and for what I know you will continue to give throughout my time in college and beyond. I only hope I can give back to the team as much as I have been given.
