"The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope." ~ John Buchan
Back in February, I spoke with a friend who told me that she was struggling with the dating scene. She felt as if she was hanging around the same people over and over again. She wanted to meet someone new. I didn't have a whole lot of sympathy for her situation, and merely suggested, "If you are always fishing in the same pond, you are always going to be catching the same fish." Period. End of story.
She chuckled as she clearly knew what I meant, but I wasn't sure that she was inspired to go find any new ponds in which to fish. She was very comfortable in her current pond. She knew what to expect out of her current pond. It was predictable and safe. Going to find new ponds would take her outside of her comfort zone. It might induce a bit of anxiety to visit a new pond. For many people, it's human nature to avoid making ourselves uncomfortable and pushing outside of our comfort zones.
I told this friend that no one said fishing in new ponds was going to be easy. Some ponds may not be stocked with the kind of fish she wants. Others will be full of great fish! The challenge is that she will never know which situation she will encounter if she doesn't at least try fishing in a new pond. The old adage, "nothing ventured, nothing gained," makes all the sense in the world.
I was out with a different set of friends a few weeks ago when talk turned to dates - the good, the bad and the ugly, and as the conversation went around it turns out that two of the women had gone out with the same guy. Kind of awkward! Talk about the need to find some new ponds! Nobody wants to catch someone else's "catch and release!" These friends told me that there weren't enough ponds in our area. They tell me that I have access to lots of different ponds because I work outside the home, I travel for business, and I am involved in several community associations. They tell me that since they are stay-at-home moms or since they have "jobs" and not "careers" that they don't have access to the same number of ponds. I call bull on that! We all have multiple ponds within our own little bubbles. We just have to think about it, let go of what's comfortable, grab our rod and reel, and head out!
Instead of always fishing in the "work" pond, or the "Friday-night bar-scene" pond, switch it up and also fish in the "volunteer at the animal shelter" pond or the "local community college digital photography course" pond every now and then. Ask others what has worked for them. Step outside of your comfort zone and try new things. You have heard this before, but have you done anything about it? Have you really tried it and given it your best effort? Or, did you try one "different" pond outside of your usual routine, have a really bad time, and then decide never to do that again? Intellectually, we all know this makes sense, but putting it into action can often be tougher. Great dates aren't just going to show up on your front porch. You have to be visible to let people know you are available. You have to be out there meeting people - and meeting new people - to stand a chance of catching new fish.
I also think it helps if you go in with the attitude that you are just fishing for fun, and not with expectations that you are going to catch the biggest fish ever and win the whole fishing tournament! Too much pressure! I think the fish can pick up on that vibe from a mile away. It's like one of those sparkly, spinning lures that are supposed to attract fish, when really the fish are smart enough to realize what it is! Those fish wait for the natural bait to come along, and then they get hooked!
While I'm using this fishing analogy, here is one other thought: you also have to know when to cut bait and move on! I talk with too many women who continue to date someone even though they know "he isn't the one" and ''there is no future." How are you going to catch new fish if your line is already in use? Cut bait, rehook your line, and head back to the pond again!
By the way, my friend did visit a new pond. She didn't jump in the boat and row right into the middle of her pond to drop her line in the water. She merely approached the pond, stood off to the side, and looked around the pond. She didn't even come prepared with her fishing rod. You know what? She caught a keeper ... and that's no fish-tale!
What's your fish-tale? Did you have success in a new pond?