You’ll Be Your Own Worst Enemy Until You Change This One Thing

What can a story about two fish teach us about self-awareness?

Have you heard the story about the two fish swimming in a fishbowl?

One goes up to the other and asks, “How do you like the water?”

The fish responds: “What is water?”

The point is that the fish is so immersed (literally) in his environment that he doesn’t even notice it. Sort of like we humans don’t spend a lot of time thinking about air and oxygen. Unless, of course, it suddenly becomes lacking.

But here’s the thing about immersion: It can also come from within.

All day long, we are consumed by our thoughts. Our internal dialogue is narrating our lives for us, and for most, it’s reactive storytelling.

“Look at this fool without a turn signal on!”

“Yes, Chad, I already received your last 9 emails.”

“Ugh, I always mess that up.”

The quality of our self-talk plays a bigger role than we imagine.

Just like the water in the fishbowl, if it gets cloudy and mucky, it can be harmful to health.