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There are some notable valedictions and salutations across the world that honor not only the actual greeting or farewell itself, but a deeper soul connectedness. These greetings transcend culture and nationality. They offer both the speaker and the recipient a moment of acceptance, acknowledgement and gratitude for just being.

Aloha is both greeting and farewell from Hawaii and is translated as “peace”, “affection” and “compassion”. A folk etymology claims that it derives from a compound of the Hawaiian words alo meaning “presence”, “front”, “face”, or “share”; and ha, meaning “breath of life” or “essence of life.” It has come to embody the spirit of the Hawaiian Islands.

Namaste has now become a familiar greeting as the practice of Yoga has become more widespread in Western society. It essentially means “I salute [your] form”, which implies an understanding that all beings in this existence share in oneness and derive from oneness. It can also be interpreted as “the god in me greets the god in you”. It is respectful in its bow with folded hands.

Shalom in Hebrew means peace, completeness, prosperity, wellbeing and can be applied to individuals as well as cities and countries. In its expression of well- wishing for others, the offering of shalom is full of kindhearted generosity and hope.

Tashi Delay is a Tibetan greeting which embodies an amazing sentiment “I honor the greatness in you. I honor the place in you where lives your courage, honor, love, hope and dreams.” And like Namaste, the greeting Tashi Delay is offered with hands folded and a bow of respect.

So how do the Serenity Swim’s Good Morning Salutation and High Five Valediction fit this tradition?

Salutation: Before you and your child even arrive at swim school, our teachers have quieted and centered themselves and put themselves “in the moment” to offer the utmost in kindness, love and caring to every child attending class. We feel honored to be entrusted with the innocent and pure spirit that is early childhood. Our expectation is not one of particular skills to be learned that day, but to have a joyful experience. Within that joyful framework will come the relaxation and trust needed to learn to swim.

Each child who then enters our watery classroom is acknowledged and welcomed as both an individual and as part of our special community of learners. Our inclusion of Mom/Dad/Grandparent/caregiver in the water let’s everyone know our family orientation. Our smile, our soft, gentle touch and the offer of a small toy to start play in motion indicates our intent. And whether the child wants to slowly enter sitting next to his parent or bounds into our hands, his unique pace is honored. We warm up with a chase game to slowly acclimate children and parents to the atmosphere and action and then a circle song to encourage a community feel.

Valediction: Our closing ritual always involves a very special moment of final connection with each student…a congratulatory High Five!! As we say each child’s name, spend a moment looking into their eyes and telling them “great job!/great!/hurrah!” we are acknowledging their courageous spirit, their exploration, their trust, their attempts, and their essence. In that moment, we and they know just how special they are and how truly valued they are for just being.

See you at the pool,

Rob and Kathy McKay