This weekend I was reminded to be a “Smart Fish”. You know when you hear the same thing from several people that you have to think for a moment that a higher power is trying to tell you something. You may think to yourself: Wow, Mary just said that same thing to me! Or Wow I just read that same thing over there.
Well for years I have had two phrases typed and taped to my desk. One says” THE LAW OF ATTRACTION-Your Thoughts become things! Ask… Believe… Receive!” from The Secret by Rhonda Byrne and “Smart Fish” a thought from a man I worked with years ago. This co-worker had the phrase taped to his computer monitor, but would never tell anyone what it stood for. Finally just before he left the company he told me the meaning of the cryptic message. He explained that it was to remind him to be a “Smart Fish”- to keep his mouth closed, because smart fish never get caught. He continued on to say that our words become our actions and our actions become our words which can get us into trouble in one way or another.
Even though I see these sayings every day on my desk, it was just last Friday when I said something negative about myself- half joking, half serious to a coworker. She immediately said, “Take that back! Do not say that out loud again. Some people possess the power and when they say something, it will come true. I don’t want that to come true for you.” I thought about it for a moment and told her she was right, I needed to start thinking more positively and more positive things would come towards me.
But the story gets a little more meaningful. We went to church Saturday evening as we regularly do so I can sleep in on Sundays-Yes, as a single Mom I try to sleep in on Sundays-a small gift to myself. So Saturday evening our church had a guest pastor visiting from Las Vegas. Guess what the service was about? You guessed it-Taming of the Tongue: James 3:3 (ESV), and that our words shape us. I was floored as it felt as if someone was definitely trying to get a message directly to me. I thought to myself, think of all the drama someone can cut out of their life if they are watch what they say and become a “Smart Fish”.
Well I can assure you that I have made it a priority once again to watch the things I say. I have always made it a point to be careful with my children: speaking with positivity whenever possible and always being encouraging even in a disappointing situation, but it never occurred to me that there was a bigger picture and the impact it could have in my life. It never occurred to me that changing the way we control what we say could control other areas of our lives as well.
This weekend, I became a “Smart Fish” again watching what I say to shape my life in a more positive way. Just the idea of being a “Smart Fish” changes my mood and lifestyle.
Now how about you? Are you ready to take the “Smart Fish” challenge? Only say positive things about yourself and don’t repeat something about someone else unless you can put yourself in the topic and think Hmm, I wouldn’t mind that being repeated about me. Try this for 21 days. That is my “Smart Fish” challenge!
