First #ManoMonday of 2021! Let’s kick off the year with Mia’s question about receiving debate when discussing the true nature of sharks & why they are so crucial to our planet’s survival. Does it ever happen? ———————————————————— Yes, Mia, it does unfortunately happen quite often in a variety of ways. One example is when you encounter people who are afraid of sharks & are very attached to that fear, which can make it difficult to communicate past that brain block. Fear is a mental barrier that is tricky to break down. What works with one human might not work with another so it’s all about reading the conversational cues & being careful to stay in their comfort zone. Another cause for heated debate is how to help these animals. People protect what they love, but all people don’t always agree on how to do the protecting. It can be tricky working with fellow conservationists & scientists due to the many ways of potentially making a positive difference. It’s easy for humans to lose sight of the end goal simply by arguing over how to reach it. It’s absolutely paramount to respond to each of these potentially volatile conversations with tolerance, kindness, understanding, & facts. No need to get emotional because the science stands for itself. I want to give a shout out to my friend and fellow conservationist, @elysea_ventures for continuously inspiring me to do just that, & by always leading through her gracious example. Individually we are strong; together we are unstoppable. The more we work to break down the barriers that separate us, the sooner we can do more to save ourselves and the planet. Happy New Year! —————————————————————— Post @trumermaid Photo @j.wolf.photography Sharky Wetsuit @xcelwetsuits X @oceanramsey @waterinspired collab —————————————————————— #firstpostoftheyear #2021 #oneoceanglobal #oneoceanglobalambassador #oneoceanteammaui #conservation #mauihi #helpsavesharks #themoreyouknow #knowledgeispowerful #useitwisely #protectwhatyoulove #kindnessmakesadifference #debate #shark #sharkweek #sharkfacts #respect #aloha #sharealoha #catchmoreflieswithhoney #manners #sharkwetsuit #seasisters #gillfriends #likeminded #cometogether #mauilife #hi