Ted Audio Collective.

In 2019, I went on a scuba diving trip to Palau Micronesia, and I went on the trip solo.

For ten days I lived on a vessel with a group of total strangers,

and we went diving four to five times a day, and sometimes even at night.

The trip got off to a great start.

I saw sharks, manta rays, and so many other beautiful sea creatures.

A few days in, one of the instructors said that the next

dive would be different. There was a strong surface current, which meant that as soon

as we jumped into the ocean ocean we needed to immediately descend so

we didn't get swept away and separated from the group. I remember telling myself

I've got this that current isn't going to get you But as soon as I jumped in and descended,

I could feel myself being taken away.

I panicked and looked for my dive buddies.

They were also struggling.

We were some of the smallest people on the trip and were no match for the current.

Would we be able to swim back to the boat?

Yes we did, but we only made it with each other's help.

They reached the boat first,

assured me I would too, and eventually I did.

It helped to know they were looking on and looking out for me the whole time. I've learned that for every

great adventure, even the ones you do alone, you need somebody standing by for

when things get rough.

...