More than 150 scuba dives? Oh wow! That's impressive. Have you done them all at the coast of NZ?
I perfectly remember my very first dive in Sharm El Sheikh, since I saw one of the most beautiful creatures ever: it was a blue-spotted stingray that was stirring up the sand on the ground, trying to find some food. While he was wavelikely moving himself - like stingrays do - the sunrays dipping from the water's surface illuminated the blue spots on his skin and it seemed as if they were glowing.
The group of divers I was with hadn't seen him and left the place while I was holding on and just watching him. They started to make signs, telling me that I had to follow them, haha. I guess I could've stayed forever just looking at this animal.
From my experience being underwater makes you quite humble.
Noo actually I have barely done any in NZ (too cold? ;p). I started years ago in South Africa. Then I did a few in Europe before really getting into it in the Philippines. I did my Dive Master training on the Gili Islands (Indonesia).
I love seeing rays...I can't get enough of them, whether it's stingrays, manta's, etc... So I can totally relate to that feeling. That really sounds like a special moment! It's true though, some dives I would also just prefer to stay in one place and watch an animal for a while instead of swimming around like crazy to try to see as much as possible...
It does make you humble, that's why everyone should try it! :)