Early in this summer, I took a class called “Discover Scuba”.  It was a chance to get in a pool with scuba gear, practice breathing under water, and decide if it was something that would make me freak out and have a panic attack.  I was surprised to find that I didn’t have any anxiety about breathing with a tank and a regulator.  So, it was on to scuba lessons.  Eventually.

I was vacationing with some friends when one friend went through scuba certification.  I didn’t understand all that it involved, but I know that there could be panic under water, problems with equalizing pressure in the ears and sinuses during descent to depth, and a great deal of excitement at the prospect of seeing a shark on a reef.  Being witness to that process started the wheels of my mind turning at the prospect of scuba.  Fast forward a couple of years, and I have some friends at church who have been talking about diving, encouraging me to take classes.  Peer pressure; it’s an effective technique.

I love water.  I love to swim, snorkel, fish, boat, etc.  Taking scuba classes are a next natural step to upping the ante in my love for water and fishes.  But it was also a challenge in that it is outside my comfort zone.  There are whole areas of knowledge regarding equipment, terminology, techniques, etc. that are well beyond my proficiency.  I am well accustomed to doing things that I feel some mastery around; it’s been a long time since I engaged in some activity that was so foreign to me.

It’s been exciting to see the fish underwater at such a depth, and equally exciting to learn at new skill and make new friends.  At times I feel like a child tying her shoes for the first time: “I did it!”  Still, I’m having a blast and ready for the next adventure.