“A ship is always safe at the shore – but that is NOT what it

is built for.” ― Albert Einstein 

In the beginning of the year, I had decided to buy a betta fish because I wanted something new in life and also something alive to come home to. I named the fish Allen because I drove by Allen Ave in Pasadena.

It grew and became a beautiful purple fish. I wanted to prove to myself that I could take care of life. When I was young, I had turtles and fishes, but somehow they all died fast (according to my memory). Every time a fish died, I felt a bit of my soul sadden. Our family had a dog for one day, named Arnold. My mom decided to return it because it was clingy like a kid and she could not bear having another kid around the house.

I think I literally cried until my eyes looked like a puff fish.

After my fishes Allen and Catalina died on the same day, I had dreams of Allen swimming.

I was relieved and sad that they had died, and felt that it was better for me to focus on work, rather than spend time changing out water and feeding a fish.

The next day, my boyfriend came over. He was holding a petco bag that I assumed was his dinner. “Is that your dinner?” – I asked. Turns out, IT WAS A FISH! He bought me a goldfish which was much bigger than my betta fish. I had never seen a gold fish like this. I was honestly touched and surprised.

Looks like the fish is getting too big for its tank- maybe it is symbolic that I am becoming a new fish, too big for my tank. I need to get a bigger tank for my life. Perhaps YOU are growing too big for your tank, whether it is your immediate circle of influence, workplace, or life goals. Maybe you need to set new visions, expand to a bigger office, get a bigger loan and investors for your business, make more like-minded friends, quit your job and start a business…think BIGGER. 

Another lesson I gleaned from this story? Life is about trying over and over again. I heard Donald Trump went bankrupt 4 times! Look at where he is now! He is far more wiser and smarter because of his experiences. Maybe you have been hurt over a broken relationship, scarred by bad people, made mistakes that made you NOT want to try it again…don’t give up. Keep trying. 

I backpacked in the jungles of Ecuador and throughout Brazil by myself last year. If I had listened to all the fears that people were spewing, trying to warn me of dangers and diseases, I would not have experienced the incredible time of my life, listening to birds in the dark night and watching the rapids with native Ecuadoreans.

If I had listened to people asking me how I was going to afford rent when I quit my full time job, I would not be a realtor and entrepreneur today. I would not be waking up on a Thursday morning at 8:20 AM in my pajamas writing this blog (In FACT, I would be getting ready for work and driving in LA traffic- Thank GOD I don’t have to do that). 

How HAVE YOU become the person you are because you CHOSE to try again, to try bigger things despite what people said? 

How can you try again today?

 My NEW FRIEND Frederick