Like a fish in a tank
I went to the aquarium recently.
I wanted to see the colours, the movement, and the mystery of the ocean. The exhibitions were beautiful, and I learned a lot about marine life.
But as I stood in front of a large glass panel, watching a group of fish swim in circles, a strange feeling washed over me.
It wasn’t awe. It was pity.
I looked at them and thought: “How sad it is to be stuck here for the rest of their lives.”
Because they didn’t choose to be here. They didn’t choose to be born or to be taken into a box.
They didn’t choose to spend their entire lives in a few hundred gallons of water when they were meant for an entire ocean.
They are just there, and there’s nothing they can do about it.
And that’s when I realised…
I am not too different.
Sometimes, it feels like I’m living in my own version of a glass box. Sometimes it’s a cubicle. Other times, it’s my self-limiting beliefs. And, many times, it was other people’s expectations.
I feel like I always need to do my best. I need to smile. I need to be happy. I need to succeed.
I feel like I have to hide my weaknesses, making sure no one sees that I actually have no idea what I’m doing half the time. I thought I was at the aquarium to see the marine life, but instead, I saw my own reflection in the glass.
But there is a difference between the fish and me.
I have a choice.
Life isn’t always fair, and often we don’t get to choose our circumstances. We might feel trapped by our jobs, our responsibilities, or the expectations of others. But unlike the fish, we have the power to change our trajectory.
It’s easy to feel defeated when we realise how much is out of our control. We think that if we try, we’ll probably just fail. And honestly? We might.
But if we keep going, learn from the times we hit the glass, and stay consistent, things start to change.
The trap isn’t permanent if we refuse to give up. If we stop making excuses and accept that, while it won’t be easy, it also isn’t impossible.
Progress doesn’t have to be a giant leap out of the tank. It’s usually just one small act. One honest conversation. One hour spent working on a dream. One day of being kind to ourselves.
Over time, these small acts compound. And before you know it, you’ve swam further than you ever thought possible.
You are no longer trapped in a box.
You finally swim in the ocean.
I hope you find this insightful. Remember:
It’s not going to be easy,
But it’s not impossible.
Your friend,
Brian.