I am ready to face my phobia. I
shouted the words as soon as I awoke one Saturday morning three years ago.
I am ready to face my phobia. I
sang as I skipped aboard the bus for Mosselbaii.
I had signed up to go on a shark cage excursion in South Africa - the great white shark capital of the world. I
thought there would be only one of two outcomes: either I would crush my fear
of Jaws or Jaws would crush me. I was wrong.
I stepped off the dock onto a small boat called
the Shark Warrior.
I think I'm still ready to face my phobia.
We were headed for a tiny place called Seal
Island. I had visited it many times before from the comfort of my armchair
while watching Shark Week but this
time there was nothing comfortable about it.
The stench of seal excretions quickly
overtook the boat and all the passengers on it. I tried hard not to vomit.
I didn't anticipate my phobia was going to smell this bad.
"Five
Deep Breaths through the nose and you won't be able to smell it anymore!"
The captain shouted.
The boat anchored, a quick safety briefing
and then we suited up in wetsuits and masks (that make everything look 25% bigger).
Why the hell did I think I could face my phobia today?
I climbed down into the cage, the cold Indian
Ocean filling my wetsuit and took my place beside the only guy in there.
I don't want to face my phobia. I just want to sit on the boat and eat potato chips
instead.
"Excuse
me? Can I get out please? I have to go pee!"
"Do
it in your wetsuit, it will attract more sharks."
With eyes the size of dinner plates, the guy
beside me said, 'please don't'.
The cage filled with more human bait. The top
lowered and locked into position.
I do NOT want to face my @*&#( phobia!
As instructed, I clung on tight to the bar in
front of me and wrapped my feet under the bar below - making sure no limbs were
poking out of the cage.
Giant chunks of meat were tossed into the
water in front of the cage.
Silence.
Stillness.
Dark blue ocean.
Heart Pounding. Mouth dry. White knuckles. Non-existent bladder.
The cage gently rocked as a giant force
displaced the water behind us. I tried to look but could only see dark shadows.
My phobia is going to eat me alive today.
"Down
to the left!" Shouted the captain.
I Held my breath and pulled myself under
looking to the left.
AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Arms and legs
flailing out of the cage, I screamed, SHARK, SHARK, SHARK!
"Get
your legs in!" Ordered the captain.
I CANNOT do this.
"Get
down!"
It's Jaws. He's coming head-on. He's so fast.
He's all teeth. Giant, flesh ripping, bone crushing teeth. He's not slowing
down...he's not stopping...he's, oh God, he's, he's in the @(&%^$#! cage!
The shark's nose came right through the cage
and stopped inches in front of my face. I squeezed my eyes shut. He's going to
bite my head off.
Time stopped.
I have to face my phobia, he's in my face.
I peeled my eyes open just
as he disappeared into the blue. He didn't try to kill me?
I am ready to see my phobia differently. I am ready to see love.
90 minutes witnessing power, grace, beauty
and, creation in its most magnificent form. I was changed forever. I finally
'get it'.
The Indian ocean now painted pink with sunset
my phobia is replaced with a love and commitment to protect this species that
has survived 450 million years but is now endangered at the hands of the greatest super predator of all: mankind. I
am ready to practice love.
Great Story! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteThey are so incredible! It's amazing what happens when we trade in fear for love :-)
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