48. SHIFTING FEAR

INTERCONNECTION. SEEING PAST THE SURFACE. HEALING MISUNDERSTANDINGS.

I can see beyond the labyrinth of my thoughts.

Sharks are one of the most misunderstood animals on Earth. These powerful beings are vital to life in our oceans, and function as part of the immune system of our planet. Like T-cells that fight off sickness and disease, sharks neutralize illness in the sea in order to keep the populations of all ocean life healthy and in balance. If they disappear, the carbon-loading of the atmosphere will rise even more due to species imbalances, causing unimaginable damage in the form of global warming.

Without sharks, the delicate ecosystems of the oceans will continue to decline, which is why it is important that we shift our understanding of these sacred creatures.

Sharks have graced this planet for more than 450 million years, surviving four out of the five mass extinctions that have unfolded on Earth. Older than the dinosaurs and the very first trees, sharks are now critically endangered for the first time, in the wake of climate change, pollution, and illegal fishing. Today, they are left at the sidelines because of preconceived notions and neglect, largely stemming from fear, and misunderstanding.

When we open our heart beyond fear, anything is possible. Healing and solutions rise in its wake.

When we are in a state of doubt, dread, or angst, our mind can feel like a mental labyrinth. This fight or flight response is a natural defense mechanism to stress, and when we're in the thick of it, we can have total tunnel vision. Fear can also present as a symptom of a deeper challenge for which we have no apparent solution, and so we respond with discomfort and confusion. If we were able to open our eyes a bit more and see beyond our fear of sharks, we'd find they are actually quite shy creatures, and also indispensable to the diversity of life on Earth. There is an undeniable beauty in this.

The energy of the Shark is here to help you see beyond any bubbling fears that may be rising to the surface of your subconscious. To help you expand your perception so you can see through any tightly knit vantage points that are being presented to you.

To overcome our fears, we must sometimes go through the process of deep unearthing, and pinpoint the sources of an event or experience in order to help us release any unprocessed feelings or emotions. Is there perhaps a message being shared through a certain apprehension or worry you still hold? To see beyond fear is not always easy. Rewiring our thought patterns is like working a muscle, and it sometimes takes practice, patience, and time. It may also require us to adjust our perceptions, bit by bit, and see the world through new eyes in order to gain a broader understanding.

How can I look beyond my fear? Is there another angle being presented?

SEEING BEYOND FEAR • CHANGING PERSPECTIVE