So, as we all know, (if you aren’t living under a rock and if you are, good for you. I’m sure it’s a very nice rock) the world is on fire, rolling down a hill and headed for instant explosion. It’s just a mess.

The news is filled with sadness of life loss, animals hurt, wars started, kids sacred and everyone seems to be struggling with either money, mood or management, of life.

It is so easy for me to get into my own head and let the awful things that’s going on in the world take me down… but I have a secret weapon… I have fish!!!

What am I talking about? I’m glad you asked. In a world so full of chaos I have my fish. I keep about 8 fish tanks from 5 gallons up to 75 gallons, with different fish. My favorite being my large fancy fantails and they are my biggest fish… also my first.

They keep me busy! They need water changes, fish need fed, glass needs cleaned, and I find myself watching them and my brain kinda slows down… it’s nice to not have all the noise up there and just be in the moment. (ADHD, it can be constant noise most the time)

When I was in my lowest of low and not having the best thoughts. I was in a place that I needed help, I needed peace. I had to go to the pet store and get crickets for my pet frogs and gecko and sometimes I look around and sometimes not but this day I did. This day saved me, saved my mind and saved my heart…. maybe it even saved my life.

I had kinda thought about getting fish, so I already had a small tank and a few supplies but needed a few other things and wasn’t set on the fish idea just yet, I mean, they are “just fish” what could fish do to help me? Well, everything!!!

I walked by the tanks, and I looked down at the bottom tanks and there he was… the fish love of my life. I know it sounds crazy and that’s fine but I met a fish that saved and changed my life. A little, bugged eyed goldfish that I named Kuchi Kopi. I had them bag him up, brought him home and started setting up his little tank… I have learned a lot from that day (like always have your tank ready and cycled, for one) but after adding a few things to start the tank he ended up doing just fine. Thankfully.

I would sit at my desk, for minutes to hours watching this fish. I could feel the stress leave my body, I felt the smile on my face return, and I felt the hardness from my heart lift… this fish was healing me. Slowly. From all the hardness of living in a world so cold, I felt the softness return. As, I learned how to feed and care for my new friend I added another friend for him and watching them together was a wonderful feeling. They seemed to enjoy each other’s company and they just lived life. No issues, no fighting, no fear, no anger, just peace. Wonderful peace.

Well, fast forward a year and I have a 75-gallon tank with 4 little chubby, happy goldfish and I am in one of the better places in my life right now… it may not be great in our world, but in my little world, of fishies. It’s a happy place to be. I know things are hard right now and I know it’s getting harder but maybe you can find your own peace… maybe it’s not keeping fish, maybe its paint by number, puzzles, bird watching, playing ball, hiking, listening to music…. just something simple that makes you slow down and see the small, simple, stress free things in life. I hope you find that thing. I’m rooting for you!!!

We all need peace, grace and love right now. I hope you find yours. Find your fish!!!

Love and Light

From the Jelly Minded Gal

-Patsy Ann