Be Like Water

The clock strikes midnight at the end of the year, a time of celebratory cheer when people are enthusiastic to welcome in the new. Many will make a list of resolutions, fueled by this sense of optimism, intending to create positive change in their lives. The aspirations are beautiful, however, rarely do these ideas lead to any lasting improvement. In fact, the majority of people set themselves up for experiencing failure in the very first month of the year.

What if we could hold onto the uplifting feeling of fresh energy and find more effective ways to bring in our new potential?

Resolutions tend to be made as spontaneous decisions. Even if the desired outcome has been contemplated for some time, at the turn of the year the goal has generally been selected in a rather hasty moment. If it were that simple to achieve, wouldn’t it have been accomplished already? Having a vision is a wonderful thing, but to set lofty ideals without realistic action plans sets up a ‘make or break’ type scenario. Change does not happen overnight for the most of us. We need to practice new habits, nurture them, until we manage to master a new way of being. Creating a better version of ourselves is a process of transformation, not a momentary ‘fix’.

One seemingly unsuccessful day is not a finish line. Every hour we create some kind of positive change is a step forward. If we slip back into old habits, it does not mean the destination is no longer within reach, the possibility exists equally as much as it did in the first place. A temporary detour off our course can highlight where we are perhaps more challenged, which also brings the opportunity for us to develop better strategies. This can still be considered as progression. Occasionally, we may simply need some time off, a day of rest. New goals require dedication but we do need to remember that we make our own rules. Having time to play or rejuvenate can lift our spirits as well as giving us precious time to re-evaluate our goals. If we have true meaning or purpose behind our ambitions, then we can renew our drive to propel ourselves further forwards with a recharged battery and more determination.

The problem with resolutions is that we jump into them recklessly, totally unprepared, applying the pressure of perfectionism which is extremely unrealistic. We actually deny ourselves our basic human nature. Without a healthy perspective the stepping stones are not often recognized, therefore, we do not build any momentum. If we do not take the time to envision the rewards of our goal, we lack the inspiration to call us towards that brighter future. Instead, we try to push ourselves by forcing our will to do what seems like hard work, usually giving up things which bring us joy in some way. This only increases the desire for the habits we are trying to move away from. New Year’s resolutions are frequently focused more on deprivation instead of celebration.

What if we could not only accept the process of transformation, but actually enjoy moving through change?

2020 was a year that brought the world to a standstill. It was a time of slowing down, breaking free from our behavioral patterns, escaping our busy lifestyles, giving us the means to really get in touch with ourselves and think about what we truly value. Whilst the world still has some physical restrictions and there are problems yet to be resolved, 2021 brings a whole new energy that is highly supportive of creativity and living our own truth, urging us to bring our passions to life.

As we have already learned, we are not living within predictable parameters like we were before last year. Not only will the world go through elements of restructuring, but we have the marvelous opportunity to also redesign our individual lives and the parts we will play within the collective. Used wisely, this is a year which can be seen as a bridge to all possibilities. A time to be curious, diving into the things which interest us, especially those which bring us joy. This is a time to explore new horizons, finding the right balance between responsibility and freedom. One thing that is most certain, this is a time of change. We can be adventurous, tapping into our creative potential and seeing where it leads us. This is a year to expect the unexpected.

Given that our world is not as constant and controllable as we used to believe, our attention needs to be very much focused on the present moment. In truth, the past is made up of memories, the future is a vision we create, the present is where we actually experience life. Whilst it can be useful to reconnect with the past for the lessons life has shown us or to recognize what healing needs to take place, if we spend too much time looking backwards we can end up feeling depressed. Envisaging what we would like our future to look like can clarify our aspirations, but if we become too fixated on things ahead of us then we will only become anxious. Both the past and future are best viewed with non-attachment because they do not really exist in this now moment.

Fully embracing where we are, embodying everything we feel in the present is where we can discover a sense of freedom, regardless of external circumstance. This is a recollection point, our very own center. Not only can we appreciate the beauty around us to the fullest capacity, but it opens up the ability to respond to life, rather than feeling like we need to manipulate everything. There is a simplicity found in the present, something nature fully comprehends, yet humans have become quite out of touch with it. This is the place where we connect with our own internal compass, the treasure trove that contains all of our own answers. When we tune into our own navigation system we are guided in ways beyond our wildest imagination. We invite the mysterious into our life.

Whilst this can appear like some idealistic fantasy, it is surprising how effortlessly we can move when we align with our true essence. Learned impatience can lead us to imposing strict time limits making it easy to criticize the concept as incompetent, but the expansive state of allowing is not ruled by the man-made clock for that in itself is also a limitation. There is a profound outlook with acknowledging that nature never hurries, but achieves everything in perfect time. The present moment is like the magical key to open the door of unlimited possibility and can very surprisingly reveal that we do not need all of the details of our journey, the steps can miraculously appear at the most perfect time. If we surrender to ‘being’, as opposed to 'doing'.

People usually think surrender is reflective of a weakness, they ascribe it to quitting, conceding, giving up. This is a mental view of surrender, a decision made by the mind to stop some kind of fight. What if we don’t need to engage in a battle? Surely, that would indeed be resistance to something, but what if we could simply flow freely? Think about water, it is powerful enough to cut through rock, yet has no definite form and can easily move over or around any obstacle. Water finds its own route, the path of least resistance, travelling through all kinds of moods and expressions without attachment to any of them. Water is the driving force of life and forever in a state of motion, always transforming in some way.

Surrender is more about us becoming like water, tapping into the depths of our own power, our unlimited creative abilities, discovering our natural flow and carving our own path in life. The only thing we give up are the limitations we have placed upon ourselves with our minds. The difference between surrender and force is that the former feels enjoyable and liberating, the latter is more torturous and restrictive. If we want to express our unique magnificence into the world and achieve our greatest potential, then surely, we have to feel free rather than inhibited? If we invest energy into everything we do then it makes logical sense to do everything with the best energy we can access within.

The topic of the present moment can confuse some people into thinking it is a place of stillness, a state of inaction. Water is never static, even when it appears as if it is not moving. There are undercurrents beneath the surface and it is generally teaming with all kinds of expressions of life. There is a continual cycle of evaporation as water rises up to form clouds, which are then transported and sprinkled onto the earth, bringing nourishment to new growth. The art of being in the moment allows our intuition to guide us on an adventure, we are inspired with new thoughts and ideas, we then generate physical movement in whatever way we feel called to. The huge difference is that action is inspired rather than forced by trying to summon the will mentally. Motivation can only take us so far, inspiration takes us beyond what we can imagine.

Water can be tranquil with subtle ripples or it can be extremely powerful and break past any barrier in huge waves. How it expresses depends very much upon circumstance in the moment. Human life is quite similar, we need to be adaptable to our surroundings and to allow ourselves to be wild and passionate as well as reflective and calm. There are times to surge forwards, times to pull back, we can follow our own ebb and flow and move to our own natural rhythm. When we connect with our core essence we will know not only when to act, but we can learn to trust that it will be the right action at the right time.

This all sounds fabulous until we think about our chores and then perhaps it seems impractical. We are always able to make mental decisions, but how we implement those choices determines how we feel. Water always finds ways to support life, it purifies, renews and sustains, but it still finds ways to flow naturally. We can bring the experience of being in the present moment to any duty we have to perform. Without resistance, we can find enjoyment in the simplest of things because it just feels different. What is more astounding is that we can actually change our very perception of our obligations. We find a way to dance with life, not just in our spare time, but in all moments.

The most remarkable thing about being fully present and conscious in the moment is that not only do things start to fall into place effortlessly, with people and resources mystically appearing to help us achieve our goals, but everything that is not good for us naturally starts to fall away too. Just like water refreshes and cleanses, allowing any sediment to drop underneath, our life can also move in ways which bring freshness assisting us to let go of the things which taint our experience. By being present we bring greater meaning to our life, feeling more gratitude for each moment. In turn, this increases our own value of self and all that is important to us so we start to release limiting beliefs and transcend our bad habits. We are able to connect more deeply with our passions, which drives us to express our authentic truth. This inspires us to live to our greatest potential.

At times the path may meander like a stream or ideas may cascade like a waterfall. What is most noticeable is that when we live with conscious awareness it no longer feels like we are trying to force ourselves in a direction which feels unnatural. Instead, we find our own natural flow, embracing a mysterious path which is not deterred by obstacles. In a year of change where we will most likely be confronting the unexpected, there is no better resolution than choosing to live fully in the present moment, tuned in to our own unique guidance system. From that place we do not need an intricate plan of action, it is enough to know the trajectory if there is something we wish to achieve.

By surrendering to the present moment, we allow the driving force of nature to move through us. Just like water we transform and express as we move through time and space, making the most of every single moment on the journey.