Facing Our Fears Head-On

Images via The Marine Biologist Who Fought Sharks' "Bad Rap" as "Gangsters of the Deep"

Sunday Morning Musings...

When I was growing up, I spent the majority of my free time outside in natural settings. My heroes were Jane Goodall and Jacques-Yves Cousteau. I watched them on PBS and read up on their work as often as I could. I longed to live a life like theirs — dissolving the illusion of boundaries between human’s modern disconnect with natural world and studying the mystery of “Life” itself!

And then I was introduced to Eugenie Clark. Her work and loving dedication to one of the planet’s most misunderstood creatures not only inspired me, but also profoundly informed my path of sourcing out and celebrating the divinity in what we fear most. I share this recent article below, celebrating her work! Yes!!!

I did eventually pursue a degree in environmental sciences and biology thanks to these inspirations. And even though I did not formally go on to study sharks and other creatures of the ocean, I am so very grateful for the chance encounters shared with them through the years. I’ve learned so much about myself in those moments...exploring the edges of what I thought I feared most...connecting with a creature that appeared at first to be so incredibly different than me.

Forever a student of “Life,” the threads of connection and wonder are still firmly anchored in the dreams I had as a little girl. And oh yes..I still do dream regularly of swimming with the creatures of the deep.

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Here’s to understanding our fears and facing them head-on. Here’s to finding the magic and wonder in celebrating the natural world! And here’s to amazingly courageous individuals who are willing to step to their edge of not just their own fears and doubts, but who also break through the illusion of boundaries and belief systems!
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Follow this link to learn more about Eugenie Clark and her work.