Below the surface

I was scared.

Scared as a child.

Scared when I was a child.

Scared when I couldn't see.

Scared about not feeling when to breathe.

Then, I was given a gift.

Goggles.

I could see. I could not just feel the surface, but aim for it to breathe.

I could see what was going on around me. I could protect my most valuable assets, my sensory organs.

The world below the surface was opened up to me.

I could see without worry. I could see without fear.

I could see, that removed a lot of the fear.

I could see. I could see. I could see.

Nor more yelling, "MY EYES!" While wiping away the chlorinated water from my face.

I could see. I could see. I could see. The world below me and above.

I could move easier. I could navigate better. I was barely restricted by gravity.

Water was now a home. I could move easily.

"What about that ocean documentary?"

Staring at the pool bottom, at its dark corners, even when well lit, my imagination would run wild.

"It's the crocodile below the surface that you can't see that you should be worried about."

Blast my imagination. Causing my heart rate to skyrocket.

"The thought of a shark can be more dangerous than an actual shark."

This much is true.

I went and swam with a few.

"You are safe. You are calm. There is nothing here that can harm you unless you allow it to."

A smile grows across my face. I swim happily again. Acting like a mighty terror from one of the seven seas.

The fears, they were in my head.

The fears, they sent shockwaves to my body, sending signals.

The fears, they were below the surface, that of my own skin.

The surface...

We fear what lies below.

We don't always have to jump in.

"GERONIMO!"

Sometimes we don't even have to wade in.

Sometimes all we have to do is take a look below.

Below the surface.

Look at it. Explore it. From my own experience, it's worth it.

If you're not comfortable, walk in with me. Your hand? I'll hold it.

We can go as quickly as you like together.

Now, let us go, below the surface.