If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be and why?

When I was a child, with limited access to sports minded young people, swimming was touted as one of the most dangerous things that one could do.

You were always told, “Don’t get into that water until you learn how to swim.” Listening to that on its own merit, does not make sense.

What they were really saying was that you needed to be taught how to swim before you got into the water.

Living in the South with elderly parents, who could not swim, and no access to recreational facilities prevented that from happening.

It is very difficult to learn any skill that you have been constantly taught to fear, and have seen evidence that water can kill you.

My brother was an excellent swimmer who dove off a “dragline” into a canal and broke his neck because it was too shallow.

Being an excellent swimmer, and not making safe decisions can still kill. However, very seldom is the latter mentioned.