DIVING FROM FEAR TO COURAGE

I love water - sea/ocean/river/lakes/waterfalls/natural seasonal pools... doesn't matter... The joy of dipping my feet and soaking in the feeling of being one with nature gives an unparalleled delight.

Despite my deep affection for water, I’ve faced my share of?trauma of drowning?once and being rescued....

In 3rd grade I was enrolled to learn swimming and used to go there with my brother and father. In the first week itself, I remember being given a "tube" which I was not keen to take as someone had just returned it and even the tiny... inexperienced - me, could feel the air coming out from a small hole. I complained to the lifeguard, but it seemed all okay to him and he convinced me to go with it. After all he was there for any mishaps.

I went in and tried to practice the strokes of hand as I was told but slowly i could feel less support coming from the tube to keep me afloat.... my dad was not far... I told him but I went on to practice my stroke...

Eventually the tube deflated. I remember trying to shout for help and raising both my hands in air before sinking in the water....and the commotion around the pool when people saw me drowning. I remember trying to move my hands and legs as I used to see other do while swimming but, in the meantime, water entered through my nose and mouth, and everything seemed to burn inside. Last thing I remember was seeing water on top of me and all around me...I was unable to shout, hear anything and almost lost consciousness when someone pulled me out....

That was a very long time ago.... but even this incident could not faze me ever... to step in the water anytime I got the opportunity to.

Personal Challenge 1 overcome successfully: I couldn't learn swimming properly post that due to some event or other, but I learnt to swim at the age of 30-32 and do underwater diving in pools some 17/18 yrs before thanks to the constant push by my hubby. It took some time but I mastered the strokes, diving and it also took out the fear of being submerged in water as I developed some control on breathing and movements. I have taught many others to swim in my journey of mastering the sport and becoming adept at that.

I can swim confidently, and I tested this out recently in Atlantic ocean's natural open water pools in Azores too.... instead of swimming pools.

Challenge 2 ahead of me.... Scuba Diving... Would I be able to do it or not with all experience of swimming?

Fast forward to present at 48 yrs. old.... I did Scuba diving and my Discovery dive in open water did not go as well as I had thought. My assumption was that I would be able to hold my own as I could dive without a gear and remain underwater while swimming without panicking.

After going down a few meters, while I was enjoying seeing the fishes around me, "by-mistake" I tried to see above myself and that brought back all the feelings which lay dormant of 'only' water above and around me, sinking in the water and no one there to help you though my diving instructor was there right beside me continuously.

Flashbacks led to setback.

I could attempt diving only for those couple of meters before I worried even my instructor. We came out after that.

I am yet to learn breathing with 'only' mouth as required for scuba diving... and this is my next challenge to master after swimming.

Challenge 3 accepted of Snorkeling in open ocean water?despite not so good attempt at Scuba diving. A day after scuba diving, I went for Snorkeling although I was a bit disappointed with myself. I just knew I had to challenge myself to know my limits... to break them.

And this was a success!!

I was able to have more control with less diving gear, mask, regulators, oxygen cylinders etc. etc.... While snorkeling in the Atlantic ocean's open water, I could see marine life below me, school of fishes, octopus, crabs, corals etc. Snorkeling instructor was there for help which quite a few needed when a big current came in, but this did not deter me. I felt confidence coming back in my heart that I can be at peace with me being under water without worrying about the fear(s) I had accumulated. I will be able to do Scuba diving challenge too... probably by next year!

Life often presents us with challenges that test our courage and resilience. My journey with water, from a near-drowning experience to mastering swimming and learning snorkeling, taught me a profound lesson: true growth happens when we face our fears head-on.

Each step forward, no matter how small, is a triumph over doubt and anxiety. Our greatest strengths lie just beyond our greatest fears.... we just need to put ourselves out there.

Dive into life with courage, and let each experience shape you into a more resilient and fearless version of yourself.