Fishing Lessons

"I love fishing. You put that line in the water and you don't know what's on the other end. Your imagination is under there." - Robert Altman

This week is called Gma & Gpalooza here at our house. It is a chance for the grandkids to spend a few days with Grandma and Grandpa, while the Moms and Dads get a short break to have some time alone. The week is always a blessing for us as we get to watch these kids grow steadily in life.

We plan events for the kids and one particular adventure was going to the Georgia Aquarium. The largest aquarium in the western hemisphere at just over 10 million gallons of water. To put it mildly, this place is huge.

While watching the fish and my grandchildren pace the tanks and glass walls observing each other, it occurred to me how life can be like fishing. Seems odd I'm sure to think of fishing at an aquarium built with a conservation and environmental mission.

Then again, I find inspiration in the oddest of places sometimes.

there are four things we do when going out fishing and are very appropriate as we travel along our life's path.

1. Be prepared.

Be prepared for most anything that might come along. This doesn't mean planning for the worst in every instance, but also planning in the good that will happen. This can be accomplished by staying well read, keeping up with the latest news and simply bringing the basic needs along with you. Keep learning and always prepare yourself for what is needed during your journey.

2. There are surprises around every corner.

This means you will never be fully prepared for every eventuality. So when these surprises occur, roll with them, adapt and enjoy the experience of the adventure. These unknown events are normally opportunities disguised as a distraction. If a tree has fallen into shallow water in your path, it likely has become home to the fish underneath. Opportunity created by surprise.

3. To have patience and persistence.

Sitting for hours along the dock with a line in the water can seem useless. Yet much can be learned by watching the motion of the water, the movement of the shadows along the shore and where the bugs hang lowly over the water. Our journey in life has these same moments but continuing down the path, we crest a hill, round a bend in the lake only to find what we were looking for.

4. Be in the moment, and live it out.

Every moment of every hour or day is going to be filled with different adventure, boredom or despair. Those moments can also be filled with happiness, joy and laughter. The past has floated by and can not be altered. The future still awaits down the shoreline. What does exist is here and now, so enjoy the moment.

The sea, the lake or the stream are filled with many fish. Each is an opportunity or adventure waiting for us to capture it. Little do we know what lay beneath the water line. But what we do know is that life exists there and all around us, waiting for us to live every moment of it.

Stay inspired my friends.

Your Example

"Example isn't another way to teach, it is the only way to teach." - Albert Einstein

There is an age old saying which says, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." It could be easy for us to simply put this off and tell someone to learn it on their own. the reason is that there is quite a bit one can learn by reading and absorbing the content of many good books, blogs and other resources.

But to show someone, to teach them by example goes much further.

This is not simply in the educational realm of teaching. The way you live your life, the way you conduct yourself has a huge influence on those around you. Your kids may hear you say, "pick up your clothes" but if you leave your clothes laying around, the net result is they will leave theirs laying around.

Living by example is much more powerful.

It impacts others in ways you may not have ever considered. I am not perfect in this but I do try to conduct myself to set a good example. I try to be aware that what I do is watched and learned by other. We are each human and that implies we are fallible.

It is in striving to teach others by example that sets the stage for everyone to grow to a greater life. Show others by example and impact their life. In turn your own life will grow in ways you never thought possible.

Stay inspired my friends!