I was cleaning out my pond today, getting ready for spring. As I cleared some of the dead plants away, I saw all my fish down in the bottom; having survived another winter. How much they have grown! Each year they are a little bit bigger or they are a little bit missing. It happens!
Typically the fish in my pond live through several seasons and each year they grow larger. Some even have baby fish. I have had many fish that started their lives in my pond and spent their entire lifespan there. I have had fish live long enough in my pond to grow to 19 inches in length and I have had many fish taken by predators.
I also have had other creatures that live in my pond or visit my pond. Some of my residents have been water skippers, dragonflies, tadpoles and frogs. Also, a large variety of birds and squirrels visit my pond daily.
Time goes by and as it passes there is always opportunity for a new experience, and therefore an opportunity to learn. I have had my pond many years now and something new occurred to me today.
My pond is a lot like life. Some of the fish in my pond started in one place and ended up in my pond. Others were born in my pond and spend their entire lives there. I have had water skippers just show up and disappear on a regular basis. I have purchased plants that came with dragonfly larvae and I have also had them choose my pond to live in as well. I can purchase tadpoles, place them in my pond and when they grow up into frogs, sometimes they leave my pond and move on; sometimes they stay.
Some people, like my fish, explore their environment, accept the limitations they see and create a life for themselves within the boundaries they perceive. They believe this is what life has to offer and they don’t believe there is anything they can do about it.
Do you know anyone like the water skippers who flit from place to place on a whim, without a care? We all know at least one of those free spirits.
The frogs are near and dear to my heart. Even though all they know is the pond, when they grow up, they eventually all climb out of the pond. Now some of them will find a lovely spot nearby where they can choose to be in the pond or out, according to their own choice. And then there are the frogs that climb out of the pond and head for parts unknown.
Like the frogs, there are those people out there who have a knowing that there is more available to them and the choice is theirs. There is more out there than is evidenced by their surroundings. There are also people all around us who will, with the best of intentions, tell us to get back into the pond so we can stay safe. Maybe the fish even tell the frogs that.
I also have to admit that the fish in my pond are no more safe than the frogs who leave. For ourselves, we don’t know the number of our days.
The lesson from the pond is this. If you are happy in your pond and feel safe and peaceful, stay there and love the life you create for yourself. If you feel there is more out there for you, by all means, climb out of the pond; and go after it. We all have a different vision of what we want our lives to look like and everyone’s vision is perfect for them. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Spend some time in your present heart and see if you want to live life in your pond, or if you want to go search for greener pastures.
