Diving, like intelligence, is the ability to solve problems
Many times I’ve asked “what is intelligence?” Just like 4
years ago I asked my diving instructor, César Navas, “What’s being a good diver?” Both
answers were: “The ability to solve problems.”
At first it seemed weird but then I
understood it very well. Intelligence is not studying more or working more. Intelligence
truly is how we solve each area of our day to day lives. Whether it is underwater, at
work, with our family or in any stressful situation.
At La Ciénaga in Ocumare de la
Costa, Venezuela, I grew as a diver. I was afraid many times that I would mess up but in
each immersion I understood that it was about the present and solving the different
situations that could occur with your diving kit, underwater.
Lack of air, ear
pain, excessive coldness, getting stuck at a boat and some other details are the ones
that might occur deep under the sea. However, César Navas would assure me each time that
those were technical details that I would be able to solve if I relaxed and thought
calmly and clearly. That’s how I’ve managed to become an advanced diver certified by
PADI and thanks to this I was able to explore the sunk ship “Carmen Fabiana” which is at
-42 meters. There can be no margin of error and this adds complexity to the previously
mentioned details. This has not spared me any trouble in the deep blue but thanks to
conscience and understanding that everything depends on me, even intelligence, I’ve
emerged triumphant and able to tell every submarine adventure.
Several times I have
felt as if I’m 40 meters underwater in my own life, even though I0m actually above
water. Work, routine or a sick relative have made me feel under pressure and that’s when
I understand that it depends on me moving forward and existing in the best adventure:
life.
It depends on us to be more intelligent in each situations. Even though life
didn’t come with a diving manual, it did come with a lot of moments of learning. In each
crisis there’s an opportunity to learn. Seize each moment to enjoy the present and you
will become a more intelligent person emotionally.
