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| Photo courtesy of A Href via compfight.com |
One of the joys of having a fish pond goes beyond all the
wildlife that visit and the plants that shower it with color during the summer
months. A pond is all about growth as well. Every year I am delighted by the
baby fish that spawn from the depths of the pond seemingly from nowhere. We
started with 12 fish a few years back and our team is now in the thirties.
Last week I was having a bad day and wandered outside to
feed the endless gaping fish mouths as they zoomed to the surface of the pond.
The water was a bit murky after some heavy showers but the fish caused a
bubbling of activity. Off to the side of the pond I saw a tiny single orange
and white speck. It was a lone baby goldfish on a journey to find food as he
was too tiny to eat the fish pellets. I watched him for a few minutes and was
excited at my first sighting of new fish life this summer.
Little fish was busy on his own just doing his own thing
which can be unusual for fish as they tend to school with others. He was fairly
ignorant of his surroundings. At that moment I felt like that little guy. My
bad mood caused me to feel alone and away from the group on a journey of my own
pursuing my interests and goals, not really knowing where I was headed. I
didn’t know what life will bring or who will be brought into my life to swim
with me.
I think that we
all feel like this at times. We feel that no one understands us or “gets” why
we are on a particular path. Our choices seem crazy to others as they swim off
in a different direction. To us, they seem to be moving blind while we probably
look like the sole rogue fish in the pond to them. As I stood at the edge of
the pond the little fish popped out of sight. I turned and smiled because
although he may have seemed lonely, he was also independent and venturing out
on his own to learn more about his world and to seek meaning. My day quickly
brightened as it always does when I am in the garden. I understood the journey
the fish was on and how lucky was to be alone and making his own waves.
The next day I went to visit the fish and was greeted by
several new baby fish friends. I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw so many! My
little friend was schooling with the group right in the middle of the pack and
they were quickly learning that when the human walks up, dinner is served. It
was delightful to see that my tiny friend was strong enough to be on his own
yet easily assimilated and was accepted by the group. There is nothing like
seeing new life spring up from the pond and surrounding garden.
As I watched the group glided through the pond nibbling
away (or trying in some cases!) I reflected. Initially, the day before I felt
isolated like the tiny fish in the pond. Guess what? It’s not a negative to
feel alone or be on your path. It’s admirable and something that we all need to
do to discover what is out in the world and learn how we can have an impact. As
my fish friends taught me, you will never be alone because you have a whole
team or “school” right beside you for support.
Put on your fins and jump into the murky water to start
your journey and know that you aren’t alone, but it’s OK to feel like it from
time to time.