There was a brief video about a woman named Cristina Zenato who loves sharks. For the last quarter of a century she has spent time under the surface earning the trust of these magnificent creatures. She describes them as vulnerable, and worthy of respect. It takes time to build a relationship with them, and she is able to recognize their individuality. Cristina can read their signals more accurately than she does her dogs. 

 

Her passion includes freeing sharks from stray hooks. First she lures them closer with tidbits of food, and pets them. Gradually they understand that she wants to help, and they allow her to reach into their jaws to remove the offending object. Sometimes it takes weeks because they are deeply embedded. There are days when word apparently spreads that the shark dentist is open for business, and more appear swimming around her. Cristina describes how she responds to the sharks, changing her tactics to reflect what she is learning from them. Her video is one way of dispelling the unreasonable reputation of monster that they have been saddled with. 

 

My curiosity was piqued and I went on my own dive. It turns out that there are over 500 species of sharks and a mere 12 have been involved in deadly human attacks. These ancient creatures predate the dinosaurs and have survived half a dozen mass extinctions. They even possess a sixth sense that picks up the magnetic fields of animals around them. 

 

Sometimes there are people in my life that I quietly label as dangerous. I allow myself permission to give up on them. They are not worth the trouble. But watching Cristina earn the right to be close to sharks, makes me reconsider. What would happen if I was patient, and looked for ways to ease that person's pain? Could I invite them closer, with bits of nourishment, and be willing to learn from them? 

 

I think I might be ready to put a toe in the water.