Like fish in the net

See yourself on a beach, early in the morning. You are enjoying the fresh air, the colors of the sky while the sun is rising. Then you notice some fishermen who have just gotten off their boat and are sorting out the prey they caught during their fishing trip. While watching them, you realize that they are not casting “all” the fish into the basket that will later be taken to the fish market. They check each fish carefully and, every now and then, they throw one away. You are curious, approach them and ask the reason of their partial discarding. “Simple — one of the men answers — not all the fish are good for the market.” You are struck by these words and — if you are like me — you may start making parallels. First of all, you wonder, with which criteria are the fish judged either good or bad for the market? Evidently the judgment refers to their being suitable or unsuitable, i.e. eatable or not. If the “good” fish can be eaten, it means that it is tasty, nourishing and therefore healthy. On the other hand, the “bad” fish is unsuitable to our digestive system and therefore it cannot provide any nourishment and it may even be dangerous. Such distinction, if applied to human beings, will bring you to divide your fellow men (and women) into two well-defined categories. We cannot deny that a certain difference between individuals does exist, but it is also true that it is not as distinct as it could be hastily judged. It is rather more like the difference existing between a white horse and a black one. They are both horses, they both have the capabilities and skills of the same animal family. Only their “aspect,” their looks are different. In the case of men, such “aspect,” or appearance, is called “personality.”
It is possible that each of us, if asked what kind of horse we resemble to, might feel like saying “gray.” No one is totally good or totally bad. Each person shelters several good qualities along with a few not-so-good ones. Let us also consider such similitude as referring not to the actual human being but rather to his “thoughts,” which are the bricks that create everyone’s personality. In fact, (and by now we should all know this very well) every individual is the result of what he thinks. Why? Because his beliefs, opinions, ideas, convictions give origin to the way he presents himself to others and deals with them. Due to the fact that the personality, after all, is only the superficial part of the real human essence, and not the spirit’s deepest side, we need to learn how to know the reality which gives rise to the “way of being” of each of us. Our thoughts are, therefore, the only responsible factors of the color of our “skin”: More white or more black, according to which the shade of “gray” will be determined.
A kind thought, a selfless deed, a demonstration of sympathy, refraining from saying a harsh word, forgiveness given, a mistake forgotten, a warm smile… all extra white “paint” that makes our gray lighter. A rude remark, a nasty gossip, an accusing stare, a correction given in an offensive or despising way, indifference in front of your spouse’s (your child’s, your friend’s) need for a patient ear, a comforting word, a sympathetic hug… more black “paint” that will darken the shade of your color.
Many are the human beings present on this Earth, and they are all different from each other, in spite of the fact that their spiritual nature makes them quite similar. But such likeness is not always evident. This “difference” should encourage us to become aware of the personal, special value of each.
Going back to the fish metaphor, if you stop to think about it, you realize that there are no good fish and bad fish. There are some that can be eaten, that’s why they seem more useful and beneficial, but also the others might have their value. Maybe they exist just to make the sea world more beautiful with their shining colors, their mimetic skills, their swimming agility… The pitch “black” of negativity, therefore, must be interpreted only as “unawareness” of possible hidden treasures of feelings, capabilities, good will. What can be done? Just allow yourself to be a bit more understanding, more lenient, less judgmental.

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