Organizational Democracy

Yesterday I went snorkeling for the first time.  I’m in Miami.  “The flippers let you swim like a fish.  If the tube fills with water, blow out hard,” my friend told me.  I cautiously lowered myself into the water, and when my head went under, I freaked out.

Breathing was different, the pressure was different, the sounds were different, and I panicked.  I raised my head above water, calmed down, and tried again.  After a few practices, I was okay.  I looked down in the water and stopped thinking about looking above the water.  As long as I breathed normally through my mouth, I felt fine. 

I enjoyed swimming like a fish, blowing water out of the tube, looking at the patterns in the sand and being surprised by how close the untouchable ocean floor seemed. 

Normally I’m encouraging other people to try new things, so snorkeling was a good experience for me because I realized how scary something new can be.  My friend’s simple advice to swim like a fish and, if water goes in your tube, blow out hard, was perfect and, after a little practice, it was easy to follow her advice.

• Wide-eyed laughter and independence
• Did you ever hear the story of the old man and the sea?
• Wonderful day
• Voting’s just one ingredient in democracy
• Te gusta? (You like it?)

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