Be Like Water
Hey family!
This past week I’ve been feeling incredibly stagnant. It’s been hard for me to connect to the present moment and stay in the here and now. And in some ways, I’ve been feeling pretty unmotivated. I’m fresh off of a major life transition and have been struggling trying to find my footing in the midst of completely new circumstances. My mind’s been pretty cloudy and not as connected to my body as I would like.
I recognize that in the midst of all the change, it can be really hard to stay grounded. So during times like this, it’s critical that I go back to my basics: I remind myself to be like water.
(Very ironic given the fact that I can’t swim, but I digress.)
I remember to be fluid, not confining myself to any certain shape, any specific mood, or fixating on certain thoughts. I allow myself room and space to change as I see fit and try my best to be open and willing to adaptation. We are complex, dynamic people, and we are best connected to ourselves when we give ourselves the space to flow. Be like water.
So here are some key ways I stay fluid and bring myself back to center:
I watch my thoughts like I watch clouds. I watch all of my thoughts pass by, knowing that I don’t have to claim them, attach myself to them, or judge them. Thoughts are just thoughts, and knowing that I’m not obligated to do anything with them let’s me sit with them in peace. I observe my thoughts, but I don’t become them. This helps clear my head.
I move towards what feels good. I don’t care if it’s random, I don’t care if it’s outside of my normal, and I don’t care what others will think of it. When I just focus on making choices that result in me feeling good, I stop allowing things to paralyze me in my decision making processes. This helps me break out of a stagnant state of mind.
I tap into my flow state, which for me means not giving two f*cks about the result. I’ve found that when I really want to get things done, when I really want to produce great work, I have to fully immerse myself in what I’m doing without caring about the outcome. This helps me stay connected to myself and my work.
So remember, be dynamic. Be like water!
I like the way Alan Watts puts it:
“You are under no obligation to be the same person you were 5 minutes ago.”
Reflection question: In what ways can you embrace your dynamic nature in your daily life?
