My Near Death Experience
It was just an ordinary sunny day in Miami. Nothing foreboded danger… I woke up, feeling happy that I could finally do yoga on the beach. Five minutes later I was already enthusiastically doing my Sun Salutations.
Even though it was early morning there were already quite a few people on the beach. They were chatting, reading books, walking along the beach, or just sun bathing. The strange thing was that even though it was really hot, no one was swimming. It looked kind of weird.
Probably the water still seemed too ‘cold’ for most people to swim. But not to me! Someone who was born and lived in Latvia knows that water can only be considered cold when you dip your big toe into it and your whole leg gets numb. If you do not feel any freezing sensations, muscle cramps or loss of sensitivity in your lower extremities – the water temperature is acceptable for swimming!
And that is exactly what I did!
Gracefully I dived into the ocean, enjoying the refreshing coolness of the salty water. I was already 60 feet away from the shore, when I felt a strange sensation on my right. As if I had suddenly touched another person’s cold arm. My heart jumped a beat but I saw nothing.
I tried to relax thinking that it was probably a leaf, but I still turned to swim back. 5 seconds later I touched something with my hand again, only this time it was on the other side.
I finally saw it! A huge jellyfish with two rose circles around its tentacles. I felt deep paralyzing fear… I shrank back, but almost bumped onto another jelly fish. They were everywhere!
The final scene of the film “Nine Lives” instantly popped in my mind: Medusa slowly winds her long, thin tentacles around the main character’s (Will Smith) arm… He writhes and screams from the intolerable pain for about a whole minute and finally his face relaxes as he goes to a better world.
There was a big difference, however, between me and the main character – I was not looking forward to beginning my week by committing suicide (not even for a good cause).
I did my best to swim as fast as I could without making any swift or wide movements. I think that I actually invented a new swimming style. It is something in between doggy paddle and an eel style, where you do little movements with your hands but you also wiggle your legs from side to side, while trying not to breathe.
For a few minutes I efficiently maneuvered in between what looked like a sea minefield. The safety of the shore was getting closer. But then two 10-year-old boys, probably seeing my distress, had a “wonderful” idea of helping me by throwing pebbles at the gooey monsters. It would not have been so bad if their aim had not been off by A LOT. One of the pebbles actually flew less than an inch away from my ear.
Imagine the picture: a pale-faced girl with wide opened eyes doing some strange movements 2o feet away from the shore, while throwing scornful glances at two little idiots (who, it seems, are trying to finish the “dirty business” that the jelly-fish have started). Great scene for a movie “Just One Life and I Ain’t Losing It!”
If you have ever been in the middle of a “hot spot” I assure you I know how you feel!
Let’s see what other valuable lessons I have learned today:
1. If no one is doing something that would be logical to do – ask them WHY? There might be a reason…
2. Extreme situations make you discover new talents you did not even realize you had (like an ability to swim doggy-eely style)
3. Do not try to help if you do not know how to do it properly. You only make the matter worse.
And finally…
Appreciate every moment of your life, because it is truly a gift! 
More From Arina's Self Help Blog
One Fear That You Should Pay Attention To
Tags: enjoy life, life lessons, near death experience, personal experinece
