Little fish, little pond

(And it came to pass by me ..)
Many of us spend time and energy trying to convince ourselves, and others, that we are big fish in small ponds or even bigger fish in larger ponds. The reality is we are little fish in little ponds, spending our lives with no idea what may be beyond our immediate experience or long-held beliefs. Most often, we are unable to even consider the possibility of there being another ‘reality’ (pond) out there.
Why don’t you venture out to see if there is a larger pond? Maybe because you feel content, secure and in control in your little pond (or you think you are)? Maybe you’re obsessed with trying to make your pond work for you and are intimidated by the unknown? Maybe you tell yourself you have no interest in exploring anything beyond what you know already?
I suspect most people fall into reason number two: they fear the unknown and feelings of separation from what gives them a (mostly false) sense of security. In their small ponds, they try to create a life of order and control, all the while experiencing stress, anxiety and insecurity.
Why not try a different pond?
What would it be like to venture into a different pond? To give up the need to be in control and swim outside the safe boundaries of the familiar?
What if you were to leave behind your life preservers—ego, beliefs, preconceptions and habitual judgments—and swim into a new pond with an open mind and an open heart? Could you trust that you won’t drown or lose your way?
The deal is this. You can’t think your way into a new pond. You have to let go and dive in. You have to take the risk.
Would you try?
Would you be willing to experience a new pond to find greater well being, fresh possibilities and a new sense of groundedness? If so, the first step is to explore your little pond, taking stock of your habits, beliefs, addictions and self-limiting thoughts. What are you, a little fish in this little pond, attached to and obsessive about? What drives you to want the sense of control and security you try to get from staying with what you know?
Once you uncover what drives you, and choose to let go of your ego needs to control and possess, you are on your way to transforming into a trusting fish that is ready to swim into another pond; a pond where your sense of identity can come from a deeper place, not just your limited mind and ego.
Could you swim with your eyes open?
In this new pond, you’ll need to swim with greater consciousness, always alert and awake. You will need to accept your vulnerability and stay away from self-destructive beliefs, illusions and fantasies. You will need to
trust and let go of dogmatic thoughts and beliefs. You will need to be open to change; to reconsider re-prioritizing your goals so they truly support your balance and well-being (not just your ego).
Moving to a new pond means allowing your ‘neutral mind’ to stay clear from being muddied by worry, goals, judgments, invidious comparisons and constant chatter. This new pond of clear water is still, peaceful and relaxed. You can be open to new experiences. You can be mentally and emotionally at peace, just so long as you keep it free from mud and scum.
Consider this. There is no bigger pond, no better pond—just one pond, where we can all swim in the stillness of the moment, free from the hustle and bustle and nagging of our ego-driven concerns. All it takes is to let yourself go there.