What do you call a fish without an eye?
A fssssshhhhhhhhh……
Get it? A fish without an eye? The letter “I.” Fsh.
When I heard this riddle, I couldn’t stop laughing… nor could the person telling me the joke. Perhaps we were just that tired; fatigue and exhaustion can have that effect.
Or perhaps it was my strong appreciation, respect, and deep gratitude for having that riddle-teller in my life.
We laughed… and then she proceeded to tell me more silly riddles about food and animals.
And as we parted ways at the end of the day, I realized just how profound this little joke is… it’s similar to the saying “there is no I in teamwork.” Yet different…
The no “I” in teamwork statement can have negative connotations… because of how it is said. Typically it’s intended to bring someone back into conformity with a group; yet that “I” person may have strengths as a leader, work well independently, or maybe hasn’t had an opportunity to learn how to work effectively with others.
But this cute fish riddle… has a more positive tone. The fish isn’t whole without the “I.” The word isn’t complete. We need all the individual letters… just like all the individual people add up… to make a family, society, nation, and global community.
I recently saw this image of fish and found the message quite meaningful…particularly as a person who enjoys working independently. Sometimes, I need a reminder that the collective is powerful.
Walking the path of peace alone can feel daunting, isolating, and overwhelming… As a person who identifies as a seeker of solitude and finds bliss when walking solo in the woods or along the water’s edge it is a good reminder there is a need to also “organize.”
Fish as sustenance…
Fish as a symbol of the power of the collective…
Fish as a vital link in the Earth’s ecosystem…
Peace nugget #15
Today marks the beginning of the third and final week of Project Peace 2023. Someone asked me yesterday, “what comes after the 21 days?” I replied, “good question.”
Take a moment today to reflect on where we’ve been and what you might do to continue incorporating peace into your daily life… for self, others, and the Earth.
Share your thoughts in the comments…
Other
If you want to get involved with knitting a gansey herring for the SHOAL/CLAITH project, you can find a free pattern and more information here.
Also, Dotty from the Net Loft in Cordova, AK continues to organize the Copper River Delta Birds by Hand project. Knit a bird and send it to Dotty (details in the link provided). She has many knitted “peace” birds made by Project Peace participants. I had a chance to view the exhibit in Cordova several years ago and it was beyond moving and inspiring…
