Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Life is but a dream.
Dear Reader,
There are days when it seems the universe conspires against us no matter how much we elevate our thoughts. Everyone, no matter how pure their heart, will face challenging situations seemingly designed to test their patience and their faith. Where no matter how much we are rowing the boat, we just don’t seem to get anywhere.
As humans, we dislike the feeling of discomfort yet, no one lives this life unscathed by obstacles. It is easy to fall into hopelessness, especially those “plagued by failure,” but as I am beginning to appreciate the lessons of the 3/5 profile, I find myself accepting these moments of trial and error.
Yes, of course, there are times when it feels like I have wasted time or taken too many detours along the way – my life unfolding at a snail’s pace. But I am encouraged to hold joy in my heart by my community and the natural beauty that surrounds me.
I aim to believe that everything happens for a reason and that God/Goddess has our best intentions in mind. And yes, there is a degree to which we must surrender control – the river flows where it needs to go. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have use of the rudder or sails of the boat. It doesn’t mean we can fall asleep at the helm or let our attention slip. We are still responsible for the contents of the boat.
Life’s journey often feels like this - navigating a boat through turbulent waters. We set sail with a destination in mind, charting our course based on what we think we know. However, the tides and currents of life have their own plans, taking us to places we never expected. This uncertainty can be both daunting and exhilarating.
There are moments when the waters are calm, and we can see our destination clearly. Other times, storms rage, and it feels like we are being tossed about, directionless and lost. It is during these stormy times that our resolve is truly tested.
Holding onto the rudder, we must navigate these waters with both intention and surrender. We must steer when we can, making decisions based on the best information available to us, but we must also recognize when to let go and allow the currents to carry us. This balance of control and surrender is where true mastery lies.
Row, row, row your boat
Gently down the stream
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily
Life is but a dream.
Sometimes, nay most times, our destination is unknown. We have an idea of it which acts as a guiding inner compass to aid us in our trajectory, but we never really know what it looks like until we get there. Frustration seems to strike when this idea and the actuality don’t match up. And rarely is it ever the exact same. Sometimes it is even better. We just need to have faith that things meant for us will come to us one way or another. And it will be perfect for us in all the ways we need. At least this is the belief that keeps me trekking through the darkest of nights.
Life presents us with numerous challenges and uncertainties that put our patience and faith to the test. It is crucial to acknowledge that obstacles are an inherent part of life's journey and that we can gain valuable insights from trial and error. Even during moments when progress seems slow, it's vital to recognize the beauty and kindness that envelops us. While we may not always comprehend the reasons behind events, it's important to hold onto hope, remain resilient, and have faith that what is meant for us will come in its own perfect time.
With faith in my heart,
HOW TO REWRITE HISTORY
I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with a group of personal development and mindfulness thought leaders. One of them is Sanal Bhanu Rajan, who is on a mission to help people around the world transform their mind and life in a way that allows them to truly experience peace, fulfillment, and happiness that lasts.
Sanal invited me to be a guest on his recent Healthy Mind Healthy Life Virtual Summit, where I shared a method on how to rewrite the narratives that keep us in the wake of emotion to move forward with empowered choice. For those who missed the live broadcast, here is a replay of my talk and share.
Many of us naturally assume there is a hard line between fantasy and reality - that the creative imagination is a fictitious realm of experience. Yet, what we experience in our minds has a direct link to our emotional state, which impact how we react and behave in day-to-day activities. By offering truth and validation to the creative imagination we can alter the past, or the way we perceive the past, and re-frame pivotal experiences through language and story. We can shape the future we wish to create through empowered choice instead of responding in fear, doubt, or stress.