A Small Fish in a Very Large Pond

Listen-
From deep within
a spark
either extinguished with doubt
or expanded
with determination
and curiosity
it speaks with
a gentle tongue
calming
focusing

We all hear it
whether
a big fish
or a small one

if embraced
it will open the
doors we close from fear
and
pave the way for
personal enlightenment
a confident tenacity
a spiritual strength
a perseverance
only we can
utilize

Size is irrelevant
whether minuscule
in the scheme of things
or at the height of popularity
internally
and
individually
stealth and camouflage
allow us to traverse
the landscape

A very large pond
seems infinite, dark in
its recesses
yet the edges are well-defined
it is a choice to swim near the surface
lights illuminating
or to dwell in the shadows
safe in the
obscured

To delve into new terrain
follow the pack
leave our habitat
is worrysome
it feels dangerous
but if we remain in solitude
we fade
if we make our presence known
we flourish
we experience
we grow

A small fish can weave in and out
unnoticed
safety in numbers

large fish are recognized
appreciated
even valued
to be a big fish one must
take risks
adhere to the adversity
and
push against the current

A small fish has purpose
and
can make even the biggest
of ripples
with a single
swish of the tail

Both large and small fish
change the course of
dialogue
conversation
and
transformation
each in their own way
with their own
focus
and their own expectations

I remain a small fish
for now
looking forward
to the possibility of growing
in size
all the while
swimming through the coral
learning new strategies
listening to the echolocation of the bigger
ocean dwellers above and below me

Twitter
an ocean of strength
for educators
each with a role in the bigger ecosystem
each contributing to
the web of
knowledge
innovation
and
reality of being a
teacher
writer
groundbreaker
trailblazer
pioneer