Be Your Best Fish

“You’re just a big fish in a small pond” my immigrant mother would repeat this metaphor to me throughout my two years of community college. That was her go to phrase whenever her first born daughter would doubt and cry about her lack of success. I never fully understood what her words meant.

It just felt like an empty saying said to people who seem to have potential but do not have many accomplishments to prove it. But I began to believe in the phrase when my acceptance to UC San Diego arrived in the mail. My ego inflated the same way puffer fish do. I was elated and at the same time skeptical if the letter was meant for me. In fear that my dream school actually made a mistake I held my breath and didn’t celebrate till I finally registered for my first fall class.

The moment I stepped onto campus I realized something. I was not a big fish. If my hometown was a pond then UC San Diego was part of the sea. I stood in front the bear sculpture in Warren college surrounded by thousands of students. They all stood out one way or another. If I were a fish then I would be a sardine in comparison to all the actual big fish. Even so, I decided than and there I will become a shark. Not just any shark but a whale shark. The biggest fish in the sea, known for their wisdom and gentle nature. I want to take up so much space that when others see me they are inspired to become a big fish. Not just in their pond but in the sea as well.