Water lives an unfolding life. It moves around, through, on top of, and beneath anything in its way. Its movement is constant and steady, even when it’s in a still pond gently evaporating into the atmosphere, only to return as rain. What would life be like if we lived more like water?
Adapt while moving forward
The most powerful aspect of water is its ability to adapt even as it continues to move forward. It may gain speed if the current demands it. It may go over a cliff if that’s the path. It may rest quietly beside a boulder and nurture the life within it. Wherever water finds itself, it adapts.
Like water, our life has its dips and dives. It races and then comes to an almost stop. If we are to live like water, our task is to adapt to wherever we find ourselves and whatever we need to do next. That requires us to be patient, flexible, and creative.
Pause where it is needed
Water doesn’t need to rest, but on its journey it finds places to pause. The pause may be to gather the strength behind it to push forward or over. Or it may simply need to stay in one place in order to nurture what’s around it. When a pause is needed, water pauses.
Pause in your life like water.
Be in the moment
Can you imagine water daydreaming, or looking backwards or even looking ahead? No, water enjoys each and every moment. She is present and aware. There is no mental activity in water. Just a serenity, a contentment, a being present in the moment.
Be true to yourself
Water is water, whatever the form. Whether she’s a waterfall, a pond, a river, an ocean or even steam rising from a kettle, water is always water. She is true to herself. She accepts what she is and is content.
Be creative
When water is persistent, it can carve rock. When it settles deeply into the soil, it can nurture giant trees and tiny flowers. When it gathers, it nurtures animals. When it evaporates, it returns in the form of rain to nurture the earth.
Water adapts. It changes form. It offers itself in small amounts and large amounts. It’s patient. It’s persistent. It’s creative.
What would your life look like if you lived like water? Adaptable, flexible, strong? What would your life look like if you felt like water? Serene, content, adventurous?
Live your life like water.
To Sing a Deeper Song consider:
30 – The No Plan Plan
35—How to Hold the Space for Change.
How to Create An Empty Day
The Freedom of Not knowing
Lose Your Attachment to the Outcome
Why Unfolding Works
The Power of Non-Action
