A frog in the well knows not the ocean.
~attributed to a Japanese Proverb~

A few months ago, Laurie introduced me to one of her aqua fit classes at our gym. She raved about the workout she got in those 45-minute sessions. I was a bit skeptical. I knew I could get a better workout on the cross trainer, treadmill, or stationary bike. After all, I could see the class on my way to the cardio machines. All the participants rippling the water with their hands and legs. I knew I was headed for a better workout.

Until I decided to go to the pool one Saturday morning and participate. By the end of the class, every part of my body had been pulled, pushed, stretched, and challenged. When I dragged myself from the pool, I didn’t feel like I knew I would feel. True, the cardio machines provide a different type of exercise. Still, the water calisthenics gave me a new routine to test my muscles more than expected.  Experience provided me with other information.

This got me thinking about how easy it becomes to wave off something that makes us uncomfortable, or we don’t care to do. Like:

• I’ve never had that breed of dog, but I know how they all behave.
• Hey, I read it on my social media feed. I know it’s accurate.
• Well, she’s registered with that political party, so I know how she thinks. No need to talk.
• Why call my doctor? I already know the answer.
• He shared what his church told him. Therefore, he knew it was the truth.
• My last book didn’t sell many copies. Why write again? I know what will happen.
• Find a trainer? Never used one. Never will. I have my routines. I know what to do.

And you can fill in other examples that you’ve heard or used. I know I can for myself. Sure, there are variations. And sometimes, we might intuitively know something that helps us navigate. Or the other person or group tells us or shows us what we need to know. Maybe.

And many times, what we know might not be what there is to know.

~~~~~

You will find more about me at www.stevepiscitelli.com.

And you can still order:

• My first novel, The Voice in Your Ear, was released on September 17, 2024. You can order the book (e-book or print copy) here. If you’d like to hear the song I wrote and recorded as the soundtrack for the book, click here. (P.S. Thank you for taking a chance on a “first-time” novelist.)
• Sharing Wisdom Across the Ages: From Elementary School to Retirement (eBook and paperback versions) was released on January 1, 2023. Click here for more information.
• Roxie Looks for Purpose Beyond the Biscuit (2020) is available in eBook and paperback format. Click here.
• Community as a Safe Place to Land (2019, print and e-book) is available on Amazon. The above link provides more information (including seven free podcast episodes spotlighting the book’s seven core values).
• Stories about Teaching: No Need to be an Island (2017, print and e-book). Available on Amazon. One college’s new faculty onboarding program used the scenarios in this book. Contact me if you and your team are interested in doing the same. The accompanying videos (see the link above) could stimulate community-building conversations at the beginning of a meeting.

©2025. Steve Piscitelli
The Growth and Resilience Network®
Atlantic Beach, Florida