11th May, 2006

At Christmas my kids gave me a rather novel gift. It was a certificate entitling me to a Shark Dive!

To tell you the truth I was really shocked when I saw this gift, you see, all my life I've been totally 100% afraid of sharks. I was also reasonably sure that anyone that had known me for any length of time was aware of this phobia.

In fact, I'm quite positive I'm more afraid of sharks than anyone else on this and some other planets.

So we all joked about this gift and I figured that I would put the certificate in a drawer and quietly let it expire and die a forgotten death.

The kids had a different idea.

They just would not let it go.

"Face your fears Dad"

Have you got any idea how annoying it is to hear that cliche' when it involves you being in a tank of water with sharks?

Outwardly I would joke about it whenever it came up but deep down inside this challenge was causing me a lot of frustration and embarrasment.

I didn't want my kids thinking I was a big wuss.

I struggled with this dilemma for four and a half months until last Sunday.

Yes I do look scared....um...thats because I was!

How would you feel with that 15 foot monster behind you?

I was so glad to get out of that tank, but in the end it wasn't to get away from the sharks it was because I could face my kids without fear.

Hopefully this email helps those of you struggling with some fears by adjusting your focus back on to what's really important in your life.

Kind regards

Don Reid
ApacheLeads.com