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A New Day - Fish or Flowers

By
Managing Real Estate Broker

 


There's an old story of a woman who sold fish all her life and knew nothing else. One fine summer day, she was invited to the queen's palace to help prepare a royal festival.  When she was shown to her room, she found it filled with fragrant flowers. "How disgusting," she complained. "Please take me back and let me sleep near my pile of fish."

Now why would she choose the stench of her fish over the sweet fragrance of flowers? It is simply because of habit and familiarity. It's the old choice of picking "the devil you know."

In the same way, we often hold on to our angers and sorrows, our bitterness and mediocrity because they are all we know. They offer us familiarity in an uncertain world and a self-image we can hold on to and feel comfortable - if not happy - with.

But the miracle of life is that as soon as we realize that we can choose self-worth, approval and appreciation over pain and fear, a powerful force begins to work on us.

Over time, we can learn to acknowledge and nurture the essential goodness and strength that each one of us was born with. Over time we can all learn to love the smell of the flowers and walk away from the smell of the fish.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Comments (9)

Jennifer Srock - ABR,GREEN,GRI,SFR
Realty Executives Arizona Home Pros - Casa Grande, AZ
Home Buyer Specialist

This was very nicely put. I find myself stuck smelling the fish sometimes but, now that I make sure I'm consciously aware of it, it becomes easier to welcome more pleasant scents and disregard the "fish". 

It's a tough thing to change old habits but, it's most rewarding when you do. 

Thank you so much for the reminder. It's what keeps me heading in the right direction. 

Sep 03, 2012 11:19 PM
Eileen Hsu
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

Very important message, having the ability to recognize our own "fish" tendencies and moving towards "flower" is a daily challenge.

Sep 04, 2012 04:14 AM
Beth and Richard Witt
New York, NY
The best Retired Brokers !!!!

Thank you Jennifer for stopping by... I think if we're honest we all get stuck being more comfortable with the smell of fish everyone once in a while... You have a great day..

High Eileen.. I agree it is a daily challenge but well worth the effort... Have a beautiful day...

Sep 04, 2012 05:09 AM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

My favorite song at church goes something like this, this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad, this is the day that the Lord has made I will rejoice for he has made me glad. He has made me glad, he has made me glad, I will rejoice for he has made me glad, glad glad.................................

Sep 04, 2012 08:08 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Really enjoyed reading this blog.  Change can be scary.  Familiarity is so much easier.  You just have to open up to the possibilities!

Sep 04, 2012 09:26 AM
Mike Warren
Real Estate - Colorado Springs, CO

Yeah, it's a great post. I've also enjoyed reading it. We should explore the world, it has so much to offer. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story.

Sep 04, 2012 12:37 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

It's a as if believing we can't feels safer to us at times than trying.

Sep 04, 2012 01:42 PM
Bob & Bonnie Horning
Mount Joy, PA

Just like that lazy dog that is lying on a rusty nail and it bothers him, but not enough to get up and move. I like to make sure I'm never too comfortable, if I am, change is in order. We learn nothing by staying in our comfort zone.

Oct 10, 2012 04:47 AM
Than Maynard
Coldwell Banker Heart of Oklahoma - Purcell, OK
Broker - Licensed to List & Sell - 405-990-8862

I forget to look at the ones that have been promoted and have missed this one all this time.

Anyway, learning to let go is very difficult, very to forgive is even harder, but it is the best thing for your life, soul and spiritual growth.

Nov 03, 2012 01:42 AM