As a Lake Girl, I see people fishing all of the time. At 5am, I hear the first fishing boats zip by the cottage. Maybe the early bird really does get the worm. By the time, I am drinking my first cup of tea, with my feet perched on the railing overlooking the water, the first of many boaters are directly in front of our house casting their rods. I don’t know if the locals just have a sense of where the fish hang out or if they chat about their last great catch in front of the gray cottage with the orangish trim. But the water just in front of our cottage is a popular spot!
I was a vegetarian for over 20 years and didn’t eat fish for most of that time. As I didn’t eat fish, it likely comes as no surprise that I didn’t go fishing for sport or leisure. I still don’t go fishing and get a bit squeamish just thinking about putting a worm on the hook or touching the fish that foolishly ate the worm. I don’t really get fishing at all. But I admire fishermen and women who pursue their sport with such enthusiasm and perseverance.
As an Occupational Therapist, I tend to notice when people are fully engaged in an activity. Fishing seems to bring this out in people. From my observations, when people fish for fun (and hopefully dinner too) they have no desire to be anywhere else. They are relaxed, enjoying the day, quietly conversing with their friends. Fishing is a simple pleasure and seems to bring out some good qualities in people.
It doesn’t matter if they are in a big, flashy boat a little row boat, or a kayak. It doesn’t matter if they are sitting on a comfy chair, a wooden deck or standing up to their waist in the water. They cast their rod and let the water and the waves do their thing. At some point, they reel it in and do it all over again. To me, it gives meaning to the idea of being in the flow of an activity.
Saturday on my way to work at 7am, I watched a guy walking through the town carrying his fishing pole in the rain. He was likely headed to the river and a little rain was not going to deter him from doing what he loved. Fishermen and women don’t melt! They don’t let a drizzle or cloudy sky ruin their fun.
When I lived in Gloucester, I remember watching a guy riding his bike carrying a big fish in one hand and his fishing pole in the other. To me, this looked tricky and hard but he was simply bringing his daily catch home for dinner. He was smiling from ear to ear. This guy wasn’t letting the fact that something was hard deter him from what he needed to do.
I have seen guys cast their rod and immediately get their line caught in a tree or a branch. They calmly take care of the problem and as soon as possible, cast again and continue to fish. I don’t think I have ever seen a fisherman get angry or upset or even curse at such an event. It is like small annoyances are just taken in stride because they can’t be avoided.
I routinely see people catch a fish, calmly reel it in and immediately toss it back because it is too small. They do this hour after hour, patiently waiting for the big one. Yes, fishermen, women and kids learn patience!
The next time you have something planned and the weather isn’t perfect; grab a raincoat and do it anyway. You won’t melt.
The next time you find yourself in a tough situation – like catching a big ole fish and having to carry it home while riding your bike – just put a smile on your face and do what needs to be done! Think of it as character building.
When dealing with the same small problems over and over again like an annoying co-worker, the Xerox machine getting jammed, or the meeting that just won’t end – you can get frustrated and lose your cool or you can think like a fisherman. Simply take that small fish off the hook and toss it back into the water and get back to your task at hand.
If you are feeling stuck in a rut – try changing your perspective by thinking like a fisherman!
Lake Girl
