"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.