SMALL FISH

In the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu uses the imagery of cooking a small fish as a metaphor for management. When applied to kings, this means the governing of the kingdom. When applied to individuals, it means the art of living life. In either case, turning the fish over in the wok represents the thought process.

A small fish has to be flipped over a few times in order to make sure both sides are cooked. In the same way, we have to engage the mind to think about an issue from different sides to make sure we do not end up with half-baked ideas. Thoughtfulness is just as important to us as it is to kings.

We have to be careful not to turn the fish over too many times. Neither side gets fully cooked, and after a while, the fish falls apart. This is exactly what happens in life when we keep turning an issue over and over in the mind. We end up with analysis paralysis and become unable to take meaningful action. Soon, the issue becomes a jumbled mess in the mind, just like the overcooked fish.

The Tao Today

When you find yourself thinking too much about an issue, recall this lesson to mind. Look at your thought process. Are you turning ideas over and over again? is your small fish about to fall apart?

The Tao of Joy Every Day

~ Derek Lin