Counting: Tool or Weapon

For many years I have been against the idea of counting laps at the pool but recently I decided just out of curiosity, how many laps do I swim in an hour? I started counting which in and of itself was a challenge but it was also a focal point, not as a measurement but as a mantra. The interesting thing is resisting turning the counting into a weapon. You did more yesterday. You were faster yesterday. And I must remember to invite myself to leave after swimming just one lap. With this strategy I might be able to continue to enjoy the counting. Many days I have been inspired to do one more to stop on a round number and I end up surprising myself. But I have to always start with Do one lap. In order to keep it healthy.