Community Chat

[On It]

Although I have visited areas and beaches on the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico, I have never touched the water. I fear the ocean because I am not equipped to survive there. This photo is my worst nightmare.

[kaydee50]

I guess you've never taken a cruise!  I love the ocean although I haven't been in a bathing suit in decades!   Never think about having to "survive" in it!

[songbird]

The water or the whale?  Neither one can really hurt you, unless you panic.  The whale is toothless.  It's throat is not big enough to swallow you. If you panic you're more apt to harm or frighten the whale.  Swimming is wonderful.  The ideal exercise.  Especially ocean water.  You're more buoyant in salt water. scared of sharks?  Try swimming in a pool.  Learning to swim will change how you feel about water.

[on the bay]

I used to feel more at home in the ocean than on land.

 But the past years I've been more aware of sharks which I never even thought of before.

I was a lifeguard, on swim teams and would stay in the ocean all day, my family calling me to come in when the waves got so huge. I am pretty sure I was a dolphin and they can protect you from sharks.

Sadly I am kind of afraid of them now. Also for my grandkids. You know that is just how living life goes sometimes.

[Estellee]

@On It  Yes, that is scary with that very large fish swimming under the boat. Reminds me of a movie I saw, lol.

[faeriemoon]

Whales do not scare me in the least.

[LindaSal]

Many people fear the water, especially the ocean.  I am not or ever was a very good swimmer so when my kids were 3 and 5 they took swimming lessons at the Boys and Girls club.  I didn't want them to miss out on the joys of the ocean.  I totally get it, though I do go out on boats and to the beach as we only live 45 minutes from the water........but there is always that feeling deep inside.

[on the bay]

@LindaSal,

That is so
 wonderful of you as a parent! My mother did the same thing. She and her father always had a fear of the water but she was determined that my sister and I did not. I think with me I became the total opposite of having any fear at all. until recent years

[On It]

@songbird I have had swimming lessons and swam throughout my childhood. It is what the ocean can do that makes me avoid it. Rip currents, jellyfish, whales overturning boats, sharks, tidal waves, storm surge, etc. I thought this photo was a good physical portrayal of what is in my thoughts.

[on the bay]

@On It,

I'm smiling reading your post of all the things and yes I guess when we think of it all, it can get kinda scary.

The riptides, there is a way to get out of them and we all should know if going in though usually it is posted that they are out there.

Well, just put your toes in at the edge and watch your feet sink in and then step back and watch all over again. And that's enough and ok

Then all that other stuff, those legitimate fears you don't have to worry about.

Though I had never heard of a "rogue" wave until reading about a few years ago. Yes, there are a lot of scary things  but I'm glad I got to live in it for many years before the fear got in. Is it that way for many of us in so many things as we experience life and get older? Not everyone but a lot?

I'm so grateful for all those fearless years.