More Fish Tales

Today we went kayaking and I noticed there was a ton of duckweed on the creek we were paddling. I have two fish tanks, one of them has a betta, a few feeder guppies, and a couple of ghost shrimp. On a whim, I snagged a cup and scooped up a good handful of the duckweed to bring home for the fish.

After rinsing the duckweed I put it in the tank and I’ve been enjoying watching the fish just LOVE it all day. It started in a clump, giving all of the creatures in the tank an opportunity to explore it as a mass. The betta kept wedging himself into it, diving in headfirst and then hanging, suspended by the mat of thin roots. This activity started unclumping the individual plants, and at this point the feeder guppies started nibbling at the plants, playing among the roots and leaves (some of the plants are quite large for duckweed). The excitement continues as nibbling, playing, lounging, hiding, and cavorting through the now well-spread plants is the rule of the day.

For the low, low price of absolutely nothing, being willing to scoop up a wad of plant matter, I’ve given my fish upwards of six hours of enjoyment. I mean, it’s OBVIOUS they are having a good time. The betta is building a bubble nest (that the guppies keep popping), always a sign of feeling comfortable and happy. The guppies are playing – dancing and swirling with more abandon than usual. Even the ghost shrimp are happy, out and obvious as they clean up the inevitable detritus from all the activity.

It’s a small thing, bringing joy to a small world, but then again – it totally isn’t small. At all. When I look at how much better these tiny beings seem to feel just by having something new to engage with, a reason to play, it makes me reflect on my own recent headspace. The introduction of something new, engaging fully with where you are, letting yourself play – these things are so easy to do but also so very easy to ignore, avoid, or say no to when yes is the better choice.

I promised myself that 2018 would be my “yes, AND” year. I have run hot and cold on that commitment. Watching these fish renews my desire to do, engage, and play more. It reminds me that I don’t need a guru, guidance, or rules to make moments of joy happen – it doesn’t take anything at all outside of opening myself up to the world around me, the world in which I find myself in any given moment.