Have you ever watched water boil? Like actually watched it the whole time? I did this morning and here is how it goes.
First there is nothing. For what seems like forever, it’s just water sitting there doing nothing in a pan.
Then, all of the sudden, tiny bubbles start to form on the bottom of the pan. These bubbles are so small it’s easy to not even see them at all. Ever so slowly, these tiny bubbles start to multiply. Then all of the sudden, the whole bottom of the pan is covered with these tiny, insignificant bubbles.
Soon, however, these bubbles decide it’s time to depart from the bottom and one by one they let go, sailing up, up, and up to the top. Once at the top, these tiny bubbles break, barely affecting the surface of the water at all.
After a little bit more time, all of these tiny bubbles go sailing to the top and as quickly as one goes, a new bubbles replaces it on the bottom.
Now a bit of sound can be heard too. A faint hiss at first that grows into a loud roar. The bubbles are flying up faster and faster gaining speed and size as they go.
And then comes the part that everyone notices, big bubbles rupturing the surface of the water, making it dance and steam and boil.
Often, when I am creating something new or trying to accomplish some change in my life, it can feel a lot like watching water boil. Sometimes, it can even take so long in the nothing stage that I forget what it can be like when it is roaring with steam or boiling like crazy.
Next time you feel like your idea or project isn’t going anywhere, make sure that you don’t overlook the tiny bubbles before putting it on the back burner. You could be on the verge of boiling!
