The Flow

Life is a river of energy. When things are going well, you float effortlessly from one experience to another. Occasionally, you will find rocks or fallen trees in your path, but if you don't allow fear to get the better of you, you can easily navigate around them.

Often the flow is slow and gentle. You can get to where you want to go with subtle movements of the arms and legs. The journey can be one of ease and beauty if you allow it to be. You drift gently to your destination enjoying the coolness of the water and the beauty of the scenery that you pass.

Often we forget this potential for life to be easy and effortless. We panic and hold onto the rocks as we float into rougher waters. We get stuck and stall in the face of a fallen log or rocks that block our path. We mistakenly believe that the ride is over. Muscles tighten, fear rises, we believe that if we let go, all will be lost. Our most frightening thoughts will come to pass.

They will not come to pass, unless you stubbornly create them. When we are facing our deepest, darkest fears, and all seems lost, this is the time, that we give up and let go. We may flounder a bit, briefly dip below the water, but eventually, the water slows, and again, you find yourself in the gentle, easy flow.

Facing your fears pushes them into the light, and you can see that they are not as big as you thought. You relax and find a foothold, a small channel through which you can pass. Days, weeks and years of holding tightly against them, will tire you out. You will struggle more and have less energy to swim through them and past them.

When you feel afraid, tense, sad, confused or overwhelmed, know that fear is the cause, and that it is much smaller than you think. Stop. Close your eyes. Ask what this fear is, and what you need to face and conquer it. Then, when you have your answer. Let go. Enjoy the change, the thrill of the unknown. It is an adventure that leads to victory. And things will settle and you will find peace again. Every time.