Power of positive thinking in the pool

Yesterday as I slipped on my swimsuit to prepare for an aquatic workout, I bemoaned an apparent extra bit of pudge. All the more reason to get back in the pool, I thought.
As I entered the pool deck, my former swimming coach spotted me.
After “hello,” his first words were “Have you lost weight?”
I said, “No, actually I was just thinking I had gained some.”
He replied, “Well, it must just be muscle.”
Then he’d asked if I’d competed in the most recent triathlon.
He encouraged me to do the next one, saying, “You’re going to win!”
Though I thought most of his words were flattery, (I suppose it doesn’t matter much in the grand scheme; gaining a little winter weight is inevitable—though I won’t know for sure since I don’t weigh myself. And, it’s not likely I would win a tri since my swimming is so weak I need lessons!).
However, I certainly did swim longer and faster as a result of the power of positive thinking imparted by a kindly coach.
I remembered the hope that I can use my words to genuinely encourage others. And, I got to practice the principle right away. The gentleman swimming in the lane next to me started gasping for air and came back to the edge of the pool.
He said, “I psyched myself out.”
I affirmed that even swimming is a matter of the mind and told him he could do it (since it was apparent he could swim).
Simple enough—not profound words, but they proved helpful.
Positive thinking may not keep you afloat, but it can provide some power in the paddles!