After winding down from all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season  , life has started to return to somewhat of a routine.  For me , this includes getting back into the ocean and doing my swim training.  It has been raining and storming badly off and on for at least a month. Getting to the sunshine and beautiful beach is so incredibly inviting. 

Today I was so excited to get into the water. I put on my orange safety belt floating device and  my swim cap. Then I pulled my goggles down over my eyes. I was standing waist deep in the ocean. As soon as I put my head under the water , I got such a fright! There was an eel slithering right in front of me! He was at least 4 feet in length and only 2  feet away! I jumped up and back and raced towards the shore ! As I stood there waiting for my heart to slow down while trying to catch my breath , I began to get “ promptings” or thoughts …. Lots and lots of thoughts. “ Fear …. What is it really?” . I remembered the Disney movie “ Little Mermaid” and eels were portrayed as scary creatures used to intimidate , coerce , and to do the bidding of Ursula the sea witch . 

Then the promptings included this …..” Get back in the water …. Don’t let this stop you. Go back in and carefully and wisely look where you are going. The eel ( which I now know represents fear) will come and go but don’t let it stop you from moving and reaching your goals and dreams. Fear will “ rear its ugly head” just when you are trying to move forward .  Fear is so complex and can range from true fear of actual harm  , and it can also include fear of change , fear of taking chances ,fear of  trying to reach for your best life , fear of failing , fear of what others will think of you if you try and  then fail , etc,. 

Then I remembered that there were quite a few people out in the water that day, but the eel was right there in front of me. Coincidence or opportunity? An opportunity to get a prompting. I did go back into the water and I carefully looked back and forth and then to the left and to the right and there was no eel to be found. I began to swim my laps and it was amazing and wonderful with all kinds of beautiful fish. As I swam , I realized that this eel encounter was truly meant for me to help me see my fears and then to learn to overcome them. Although it was very scary, I am thankful for this lesson. I will try to remember it when fear rears its ugly head again .