11/04/24
I go out for a walk and find a place to sit near a brook not too far from my house.
There are so many thoughts that have been swirling in my head about my business, how I’m doing as a father, and the never-ending “to-do” list…
So I need this break.
I’m doing my best not to be in my head…
But to be in the moment.
I smell that autumn smell that reminds me of when my friends and I would be out playing during this time of year.
I listen to the water flowing through the brook.
I look closely at the leaves on the surrounding trees, admiring the variety of colors.
The water grabs my attention, and now I’m watching it closely.
It flows so gracefully through the brook.
When met with a large rock, the water flows around it effortlessly and continues its journey down the brook.
The rock is rigid, fixed, unable to move.
The water is flexible, adaptable, and unphased by any perceived obstacle.
I think…
In the same way…
When we’re rigid, fixed, then we’re unable to move.
We get stuck.
When we’re flexible, adaptable, then we’re unphased by any perceived obstacle.
Earlier in the day…
I was too rigid, trying to “force” things to go a certain way.
Because of that…
I was struggling.
Thanks to the water in the brook…
I was reminded to be flexible, to adapt to wherever “the flow of life” takes me, and to trust that I’ll always find my way around any perceived obstacle.
Don’t be like the rock, my friends.
Recognize when you may be falling into patterns of rigidity and fixed ways of thinking.
Instead, be like the water flowing down the brook.
You will face obstacles.
But if you’re able to adapt…
If you’re flexible…
You’ll find your way around any obstacle and continue moving forward.
Rooting for you,
Jay (encouraging you to be as fluid, adaptable, and flexible as water)