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How Big is Your Fish Tank? |
How Big is Your Fish Tank?
Copyright © 2005 Ken Donaldson, M.A., L.M.H.C.
REALationship Coaching
http://www.REALationshipCoach.com
"It's the simplest of math: Big fish tanks grow big fish;
little fish tanks grow little fish...."
"You can't catch fish unless you put your line in the water.
You can't reach your goals if you don't try." ~ Kathy Seligman
As I was planning for one of my REAL Talk Forums, the "fish tank"
metaphor came up in my thinking. I wanted to emphasize how people
could keep their "bigness" and create a "sabotage-proof" life. I
thought back to when I had a very beautiful 55 gallon aquarium.
There were over 100 pounds of real gravel in the bottom and it
was lined with live plants. The fish, which included a mated pair
of Jack Dempseys, grew to be quite large with the biggest fish
being about eight inches long and another being about six inches.
I fed them raw beef heart, and they loved it, as it helped to
grow to this size. I would sit in front of my fish tank for hours
just watching them...it was mesmerizing to say the least.
I also had a 20 gallon tank with four fish in it and the largest
fish grew to be only about two inched long. They all ate the
regular flake fish food. I would watch them as well, but my eyes
would always go back to the big tank...all of which brings me to
the question: How big is your fish tank?
Before you take this with any literal meaning, what I am really
asking is: How big is the space that you live your life in? Is
there anything that is restricting you from growing into your
"most bigness"? Is there any chance that you have outgrown your
old fish tank? Just how big is your life, and how big can it be?
As you are pondering those questions, read the following piece
from Marianne Williamson:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest
fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light,
not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves,
"Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?"
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing
enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel
insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children
do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is
within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give
other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated
from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates
others...from A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles
of A Course in Miracles.
Are you allowing your Light to shine as bright as it possibly
can? A big fish tank grows big fish, and likewise, a big life
allows for a big, bright Light to shine from you.
Some people I have met seem to be happy with their small fish
tanks because they do not want to change. Their lives are
comfortable, predictable and familiar...they like the status quo.
That is their choice and their business, and I certainly do
respect that.
There are other people, however, who are like snakes: Always
shedding their "old skin", expanding and growing ever larger.
These are the people who always want one more gallon added to
their fish tank. These are also the people who seem to shine the
brightest Light. In fact, their Light is so bright that it
actually illuminates the path for others.
Which one are you, and are you happy with your chosen path? Would
you like a bigger fish tank and a brighter Light force? If so,
then I encourage you to hang out with some "big fish, bright
Light" people. We do tend to be influenced by our environments,
so if you want more from your life, find those who have found the
"more of life" and ask them how they have done it. Most people
are happy to share their steps of success. After all, big fish
and bright Lights cannot hide, and because of this, they usually
enjoy sharing their bigness and their brightness.
The business of bigness and brightness...hmmm, sounds like a good
book title...okay, I'm off to my next project...can you see my
Light getting brighter???
Ken Donaldson has been based in Tampa Bay offering counseling,
coaching, and educational programs since 1987. His REALationship
Coaching programs empower people to have more successful lives,
businesses and relationships by building a powerful relationship
with themselves first. Ken is also the author of the upcoming
book Marry YourSelf First! Visit his website:
http://www.REALationshipCoach.com for more information and
sign-up his free e-program Illuminations and Sparks of
Brilliance.
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