Diving

It's flying. Really, it is.

Without moving a muscle, you float high above the bottom, and watch entire civilizations of coral, fishes, and all manner of odd and brilliant colours and shapes parade around. Your task (and it is is difficult) is to remain calm amidst this wondrous world. Just breathe...

I'm a recent convert, a graduate now with my diving certification and it's something that I'd been aware of but never really fussed about pursuing. Id seen the pictures and read articles like this one. Interesting, sure...but it wasn't for me. I needed another 'passion' the way I need a new...well anything I don't really need. But I was wrong.

What I underestimated was the impact the environment has upon you. At first blush it was about getting closer to big animals - swimming with sea turtles, rays or sharks. This is the same drive that takes people to Africa to see the "Big 5" (No, I don't mean KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, E&Y ) etc..) I'm sure. But once you get there it's the small details that speak the loudest.

On one dive, we drifted with the current past yet another coral outcropping - I could never find it again if I tried.. It would be like searching for the building with the apartments in Manhattan. Anyway, on this one little outcropping high over a precarious drop in an area no larger than my fist, circled 20-30 little iridescent blue fish and one orange one. Fish might be too bold a word here - they were small - measuring maybe 2mm each. But for one very brief moment, I was in their world, their entire universe and watched them closely. I wonder still what they thought of my passing.

Diving opened my eyes to places, concepts and ideas that I hadn't realized I was missing. My wish for each of you is that you are able to enjoy that with something yourself - something that right now I'd guess that you don't know you need.