The Monkey and The Fish

Let me share a little story about a monkey and the fish. Once upon a time in the South American jungles there lived a cute little monkey. He wasn't your typical primate, oh no, he was so warm and passionate that the other monkey's thought he was weak. No one invited him to play which led him to living his life alone. As he grew he did meet other adult monkey's but none really wanted him to be close because he was viewed as that fellow that was just too nice. He even got involved with a lady monkey and had a couple of children. As time passed she grew distance towards him because in her mind she wanted a man of the jungle not some weak passionate monkey that wanted to make sure everyone had a happy existence. Over the years she continued to drift away and all that was left was a deep dark hole of loneliness that no amount of sharing and caring could feel. Externally he was still the same warm passionate monkey but internally he was wounded to the soul. 

Each day the monkey would go for walks and swings through the forest. Always culminating with a peaceful break at the tranquil lake hidden by the lush growth of greenery. One morning he noticed a cute fish swimming by. For some odd reason she got his attention. He decided to see if she could be engaged in conversation. Granted he was a monkey and she was a fish. They obviously spoke different languages, if she spoke at all. To his amazement she poked her head out of the water to say hello. His eyes sparkled like glitter on gold. You would have thought God transcended the heavens and paved the way for the monkey to find a new reason to live. 

The lesson here is that friendships often come from the oddest cast of characters. Don't close doors to people because you never know where opportunities to foster new relationships are. 

She shared her story of insecurity and feeling outcast. She said that she spent her life trying to be popular, trying to fit in, trying to move with the crowd. She wanted all the fish to feel her love for life. She wanted to make a difference. Yet the popular fish didn't want her in their crowd but they wanted to use her to further their own agendas. Over the years she drifted further and further away. She said that her heart grew cold and the attitude towards her other finned friends was cynical and bitter. She no longer had that zest for living. She apologized for being a downer. The monkey was so happy to have someone that simply wanted to share their heart for a few minutes that he begin to tell his story of love and compassion. 

Life can be a microcosm of people, feelings, and emotions. No one is ever 100% who you see externally. Our challenge is to allow people to safely grow into the amazing miracle God created them too be. We must forgive ourselves and others so that collectively we can blend our hearts and soul to make the world a better place. 

The minutes turned to hours and the hours into days. The monkey and the fish looked forward to their time together. They both found a new love for living and they learned some valuable lessons along the way. The language of love knows no barriers and the gift of friendship is a bond that should be cherished at all cost. Friends can be silly, they can make mistakes, they can say and do crazy things, and the depth of the friendship grows. The monkey and the fish had a created a connection that time, distance, age, or even death could not tear apart. I use the analogy of a monkey and a fish to show you that everyone needs a friend regardless of who they are or what they have.

One morning the monkey arrived at the lake prepared to share some troubling news. When the fish got to there meeting spot she quickly saw the sadness in his eyes. She asked what was going on and he replied: My home is being destroyed by people, they are clearing out all the trees that have been our dwelling for centuries. We have no choice but to move south, far away from the sound of machines ripping our lives apart. He told her that he would have no means to meet her anymore due to the distance apart they would be. His heart was hurting so bad yet there was no other decision to be made. His life, in his eyes was over. 

She too was visibly shaken. After years of living as a cast out among her peers she had finally found a friend of whom she loved. Everything she ever got attached to was always taken away. She felt the bitterness rising to a boil yet she tried so hard to contain her anger. She knew how much he needed her so she set aside her feelings to hopefully help him. He could feel the emotions as she spoke one final time. In her parting words she gave him wisdom for the ages. 

Life doesn't always go down the path we choose, sometimes it sends off in directions we do not understand. If we take with us the warmth and love we have gained throughout our journey we will quickly find that our light will enlighten roads we once feared to travel. Love will create more passion and with that will stir a purpose much larger than we had before. Others will not shift away from you they will migrate to you. You came to see me at your darkest hour now you will leave me at your brightest moment. Right this minute the walls around your heart are so high that you can't see how bright your light is shining, but day by day that wall will come down and your life will be the hope that gives others a reason to live. You sir have given me hope, I am not the fish you met, I am better because of the light you placed in me. I felt my anger mount at the news but then I remembered the warmth you had towards me when we first met. I am better because of you and I too will use you as my light. 

The story of the fish and the monkey is rather personal. It has more meaning than you know. My goal in sharing this is for you to believe in friendships, believe in change, believe in love, and believe in yourself. Your life may not be what it once was but if you open your mind and heart you just may find that it can actually be better. Change is inevitable, growth is optional. I hope you will live your life dynamic and not static and most of all let your light shine before all. Your life matters, all you need to do is believe it. My fish friend believes in me and this monkey friend believes in her. 

peace and love

Dale