Similar to a river with a violent current where water is constantly rushing by, our thoughts are unceasing.
Yet in the center of the river, even if dirt and debris get mixed into the water, moments later the current washes it all away, leaving the water fresh and clear.
Wouldn’t it be great if our minds were more wired like that?
Where instead of allowing all of the “dirt” in our minds to rush us down a never ending mudslide, we could remain unstained by life’s trivialities and stay centered, like the river?
When we resist what simply is in each moment, we fight an inner battle that we’ll always lose.
By becoming mindful of the situations that disrupt our tranquility, however small or large they may be, we can begin to intentionally work on going more with the flow.
As we learn to practice acceptance over resistance of life’s circumstances, the thoughts and emotions that once consumed us will surely continue to arise, but instead of sweeping us off of our feet and identifying with them, we’ll be able to hold our ground in the midst of the chaos and choose to let them pass us by.
Author Richard Carlson of “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” (a book I highly recommend reading) said, “The greater our surrender to the truth of the moment, the greater will be our peace of mind.”
Going with the flow is more than just the act of passively pushing things to the side or being emotionless, it’s a state of mind that understands how fleeting and impermanent life is and recognizes the innate power we have within of transcending the rubbish that affects us on a daily basis.
A helpful mantra: I release control. I surrender to the flow.
“It’s time you realized that you have something in you more powerful and miraculous than the things that affect you and make you dance like a puppet.” – Marcus Aurelius