Originally Posted 9/21/2020 (Updated 5/30/2022 by Meghann Bierly
* “Mommy” is used throughout this article but is interchangeable and meant to encompass all roles of any parent, grandparent, caretaker, educator, and/or individual nurturing our children in any way.
“ ...I think we will not only survive, but we will begin to thrive as we continue moving forward.”
Sharks have lived, survived, and evolved on our planet for about 400 million years. They were here before dinosaurs, they remained and survived after dinosaurs. Are sharks super strong, are they just stubborn, are they truly invincible? I believe their strength and survival lies in their awareness of their environment and their adaptability. I think there is much we can learn from sharks in how we understand our surroundings and survive these difficult times. Can sharks really teach us something about how to survive a global pandemic? Can sharks teach us how to respect and value all the differences among us? If sharks were able to survive for 400 million years, I have a feeling we may have something to learn.
So let's start with learning about their bodies. Sharks have a streamlined body shape to help them glide through the water easily. They are one of the world’s strongest swimmers. Sharks only swim forward, unlike other fish that have the ability to swim backward. Also unlike other fish, sharks do not have a swim bladder to help them float in the water, but rather use their fins to move up and down in the water.
Sharks have multiple fins. Their well known and recognized dorsal fin is the large fin on their back. The dorsal fin is more than just a warning to swimmers and boaters. The dorsal fin keeps the shark from rolling from side to side and provides stability when making quick turns and stops. The pectoral fins (like arms) help the shark to turn and swim up or down, or can be used to scramble along the ocean floor. Pelvic fins (like legs) also help with swimming up and down and slowing down. The anal fin (between the pelvic fin and tail) provides stability, and works like a keel on the bottom of a boat. The tail is called a caudal fin and used for propulsion, forward movement. In sum, I want to learn how to develop my fins to provide stability and forward motion through these difficult times. I am counting on you, Mommy Shark Doo Doo Doo, to teach me how you do do do.
Last time, we made notes of our challenges and our adaptations to those challenges. We also made notes of gratitude. We can think about the challenges we face as the storm and the waves come at us. Like sharks, how did we find our balance, how did we adapt our lives or ourselves to withstand these approaching waves? During the pandemic, did you transition to working or schooling from home? Did you stock up on supplies? Did you teach your loved ones how to zoom or facetime? As overwhelming as these challenges were for all of us, we survived them. I am certain there are skills you have employed that have always been within you. You have fins and you have skills to help you weather the storms you face and those that are still ahead. How can we calm the noise of the storms and utilize the skills we already have to continue moving forward on this journey? As we define our new normal, and get back to more typical schedules and routines, are there new challenges? Are there changes we want to make and ways we want to move forward differently after all we have experienced?
Get out that note book, look at what you have noted for your adaptations and changes in your life over the past months and years. What changes did you and your family make? What changes did you make in response to your environment? What changes did you make in how you are doing things? There are many other undercurrents also still impacting our lives and our families. How are we discussing those with our families? How are we providing our children with feelings of belonging, safety, support, and community?
See mommy, daddy, grandma and grandpa, and baby sharks, you are already responding and adapting like a shark! We will survive, and with a little focus and a few more adaptations I think we will not only survive, but we will begin to thrive as we continue moving forward. We still have more we can learn from sharks.
Let’s think about the things still overwhelming or challenging you and your family. If there are too many to list, try starting with the next challenge you will face today. If you can’t narrow it down, what are the first three challenges that come to mind for today or for this week? Time will keep moving forward so let's focus only on the next challenge in front of us and how we will maintain our balance.
Thinking about each challenge individually:
Is there a way to adapt to this challenge?
Do you need to employ another skill?
What ideas do you have for overcoming this challenge?
What is the goal on the other side of this challenge?
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