Element of Hope

As the old saying goes: There is a calm before the storm.

Most do not understand at that exact moment of calm, the next step you take determines a chain reaction. Too much and you are drowning, too little and you are deprived of an element that you need to survive, yet finding balance requires so much more than you could ever imagine.

A few characteristics of what we are up against as water elements:

Empathetic, sensitive, considerate

Acting on emotion rather than logic or intellect

Finding fulfillment from putting others first

These might sound like great traits to some, yet to others, we are a narcissist’s dream. My younger self: fluid, wavering in decision, and impressionable by others. If aware, most empaths can feel the desire and needs of those around us, we feel their pain or pleasure, and become hostages to a fantasy world created in our head on being able to help them. Easy to manipulate and exploit.

The problem: the fantasy world is not reality, and no matter how long we try to keep the rose-colored glasses on, we are still a sandcastle. We have to find the balance to hold ourselves together. Yet, we rely so heavily on others, their happiness, their success and building them up; that most continue to stay the younger version of myself. Impressionable by others, wavering in decision, fluid in the inability to take control of one’s life. People pleasers, day dreamers.

So, what does it take to become a force to be reckoned with?

Awareness. Situational and individual. The self I am today is one who can be stagnant for the sake of other’s while relentless with chaotic actions misunderstood by anyone but thy self. Humility and integrity walk on a path alone in today’s times. When you cannot pour from an empty cup because the world has taken more than its fair share- rebellion emerges. And you turn into a force greater than you ever thought possible.

We have the ability to be just as impenetrable, forceful, and destructive as other elements, yet, our natural rhythm is one of beauty. We give more chances than the length of the Nile, and we hold our breath to the depths of the ocean on believing the good in people. We dazzle those around us with our loveliness, our allure, our uplifting abilities to see the best in every situation, until we get burned.

Fire can run free and uncontrolled, destructive if you are in its path, and life changing after you have been burned. And still, we are drawn to fire like a moth to a flame.

Grounded as can be and our closest element, Earth, provides stability that we would not normally have. It bears our weight when we cannot anymore, for a small price of course.

Caution to the wind for it will trick you in a second. We believe Air’s intentions are pure and yet their clever communication and intellect usually have other plans.

When fuel from the Earth and oxygen in the Air combine with heat from the sun, Fire thrives. Three against one are not good odds and we are usually the last one standing. It is a lonely path, and yet, for the sake of sanity, very few find the rebellion within to move through all the other elements without even blinking an eye.

However, we, the Water Elements, overcome all with compassion. We do not let Earth harden us, or Fire burn us, or Air trick us, we simply learned that we are stronger than we look. We can take more than we can handle. And we can overcome more with grace. By putting ourselves first, we are able to tame the others in harmony.