-Water Rising- Cautiously, I ripple the waters edge with my toes. Its warm. I stand there, my eyes closed, breathing in deeply - slowly, purposely exhaling. I tell myself I can do it. I step in, lightly, and sit down. The water reaches my waist. I run my hands against the surface, making the force of the flow run through my fingers, I'm feeling relaxed. I lean forward and submerge my whole body, feeling encased. The water now reaches my neck. I feel the panic rising and instantly berate myself. "You CAN do this!". After repeating this about 10 times, I convince myself that I can. I remember the process of the breathing exercises, and I play them in my head over and over, like a broken record endlessly repeating itself on an old phonograph. I take a deep breath, and slowly descend under, the comfort of air no longer mine. I feel trapped, but I force myself to stay there. I release slowly the air inside this water tomb, watching the bubbles rise. I can no longer take it and I quickly come up for breath. I did it!!! I repeat this several times, going under...slowly letting the air out. Willing myself to try harder, I stay under longer each time. Elation overcomes me, and I smile to myself - Triumphant!! I step out of the bathtub and pray that I am as successful at the pool.