david 🇺🇸

Sometimes the unexpected tosses are the most rewarding. Yes, he was scared—and learning to respond through that fear is exactly what we’re training for. In a real emergency, children don’t get a countdown. They have to rely on the skills they’ve built through practice. This was his first unexpected toss, and I couldn’t be more proud of his response. He cried for a moment, then calmed himself down, closed his mouth, and began responding to the skills we practice every class. That’s the kind of emotional control we’re working to build. And yes, he did swallow some water—and that happens. The important part is that he wasn’t continuously swallowing water. He regained control, closed his mouth, and responded. That’s exactly what practice is for. With continued practice, his response will become faster, calmer, and more automatic. Afterward, we celebrated with two high fives and took a moment to talk about what he had just accomplished so he understood how capable he truly is. Progress isn’t about never being scared. It’s about learning how to respond despite the fear.

😱OMG😱 As of Wednesday, the official death toll had risen to 2,295 people killed and more than 11,200 injured, according to Venezuela’s National Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez. The United Nations has warned the toll could ultimately reach 10,000.