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Breaking barriers
WHY WOULD anyone in their right mind spend hard-earned money to be with sharks? Yet, every day at an aquarium in Sydney, Australia, groups of seemingly sane individuals venture beneath the surface of the water — and their fears — to get up close and personal with these terrifying creatures.
As we donned wetsuits and tanks, I learned that grey nurse sharks are on the protected species list and wondered if they knew that I also considered myself endangered! Inhaling only through the breathing apparatus, we were all soon in the underwater world, too awed to give fear or doubt another thought.
As sharks hovered overhead I actually felt a sense of serenity. This was partially due to the safety of a controlled environment and to my newfound knowledge about sharks. Did you know that in the same year that five shark attacks were reported, humans devoured over 4000 tonnes of shark? Yet, we call the shark a cruel predator? In fact, many more people die from bee stings, falling down stairs or being struck by lightning. That's not to say I wouldn't be petrified to see a fin swim towards me but the truth of the matter is that I've encountered far more sharks on land over the years! But, whether we fear sharks, flying, public speaking, making sales calls, developing intimate relationships or whatever, we should ask ourselves if those fears are real or imagined? And, what is the worst thing that could happen if we failed? Like diving with sharks, generally, the risk is far lower than our anticipated fear — and we can sometimes be our own worst enemy in terms of constructing imaginary barriers to achieving our dreams and goals.
Rather than `freak out' with fear in unfamiliar situations, how much better to develop a healthy level of respect for potentially dangerous situations, and remember Madame Curie's statement:
Nothing is to be feared — it is only to be understood.
CATHERINE DEVRYE
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