Go Be That BIG FISH!

She was a creative person who had big ideas. She understood the powerful combination of pairing education with creativity. Unfortunately, she was in the wrong place to do it. Her boss could not see what she saw, especially when her boss told her, “You will only ever be a small fish in a small bowl.” OUCH! So Joan Ganz Cooney found another job, where she learned about television production. She then moved to another role with a new company where she helped start the Sesame Workshop, which we all know produces Sesame Street. Joan was one of the founding members, creators, and early believers that television could change the way children learn to read. As a child who learned the tune and phrase: one of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn’t belong…my life was changed like billions of other children’s lives. All because Joan knew she COULD be a big fish in a big pond!

I am always amazed at this stupid things people tell women about their lack of potential and opportunity. Well, let’s face it, we all hear that, unfortunately people feel more free to say it to girls than boys. If you hear it long enough and from “important” people in your life – bosses, teachers, parents, leaders in your life – there is a chance you might believe it. The words of less than or unable to have an insipid way of seeping into our psyche, then we’re in for a long journey. We must not only fight the naysayers, we must fight ten times harder to overcome what we have been taught to believe about ourselves, especially because it is wrong.

It is inspiring to read about the women who refused to believe those messages. They dug deep and moved forward leaving those negative nincompoops behind. They dared to believe that the person they knew they were inside had the power to erupt and make the world a better place. They began to believe that they could be a big fish in a big pond! And then they set out to do just that…and did!

So here’s to the people who dared to believe the opposite of what they were told. Joan Ganz Cooney being one who moved on until she found the right place where she and the world could be better, stronger, better educated by cute characters that would become immortal! Hooray! And thank God for women with courage, self awareness, self worth and chutzpah! One person can change the world, especially when they KNOW they are a big fish in a big pond…they just haven’t found the right pond yet!

NEVER let anyone tell you what you cannot do or be…those are fighting words. Muster your courage and go be that BIG FISH!!!!