There’s a saying that we don’t reward a fish for swimming– an implication that we shouldn’t applaud people for doing what they should do–for doing the bare minimum, if you will. But sometimes that fish was depressed and wanted to lie on the ocean floor all day, so by all means, reward that fish for swimming. In fact, that fish should reward itself.
Typically this argument is made when discussing relationships and having better standards, and trust me, I’m all for good standards, but generally speaking, life is tough, and the simplest encouragement could be just enough to keep someone in the fight. We are not machines built to power through tasks consistently with no emotional or physical deviations. We have good days. We have bad days. And that’s okay.
Reward the fish that got out of bed this morning. Reward the fish that opened the blinds to let some light in after days of darkness. Reward the fish that showered today. Reward the fish that clocked in. Reward the fish that ate. Reward the fish that ate and didn’t feel guilty about it. Reward the fish that wants to jump ashore but keeps…on…swimming.
Reward the fish.
