River of Life
As some of you may have noticed, in the last month I have been struggling with technology issues. It seems like every piece of technology I use (my website, scheduling app, heartrate monitor…) have encountered some obstacle for use. My first response was panic – how was I going to schedule clients/get paid? Followed by a flurry of activity – I’ll just build an entirely new website or find new formats for all that I need (hours of fun by the way). Then I came to a place of annoyance and exhaustion and fatalism – screw it, I just won’t use any of these things, maybe I should just give up and get a “job”. I was feeling pretty defeated. Lucky for me I have some tools from yoga that have helped me reset my mind.
I was reminded of the metaphor of life as a river. Imagine a spring of water bursting from the side of a mountain top. Now imagine that water coalescing and gaining momentum as it flows down the side of the mountain. Visualize the rocks and trees in the path of the water, noticing how the water flows and shifts around them. Imagine the river expanding, deepening as it flows across hills and planes. Noticing the places where the river picks up speed, white water and rapids. Think of how the river might flow over a cliff, spraying wide without knowing where it will land. Also notice the places where the river meanders, flowing slow and easy – the strength of the water’s flow hidden below the smooth surface. Recognize the power of the river as it continues on, spreading into deltas leading ultimately into the sea. Now imagine flying above the river so that you can see it from start to finish – recognizing the whole story of the path. If you zoom into any one part, you might think it’s the whole story. The bird’s eye perspective tells a bigger story.
The idea that we start life full of energy, but not much direction. As we spend time in this life, our path is shaped by twists and turns. As we grow into ourselves, we build strength and power. The beginning and end of this life are the only parts that are certain. The in-between is a constant evolution shaped by the obstacles we encounter and how we manage them.
My current technology struggles are not the whole story for me. In this moment, I have the opportunity to take a step back and connect with tools that support me. I can recognize my reactions, pause, take a breath, and reconnect to what is important to me. When I take the time to do this, I am able to refocus on my gratitude for the people I get to work with (that’s you!). I remember that I love the information/skills I have learned so far and the hunger to learn more. And I feel the power of the work I am able to do – help empower, aim to feel lighter, and perhaps help heal. So, thank you for inviting me to play.
*And, if you encounter the ripples of my technology issues…welcome to the madness. Contact me directly if the usual methods are not working and we will figure it out.