#124: Going with the flow

We are conditioned to believe that life is a struggle, yet nature has many examples which show the success of the easy way. Like rivers – they find the easiest flow to the sea.

Have you swam across a river? The inexperienced river-crosser aims at a point directly across and struggles against the current. But the experienced river-crosser merely aims to get across and flows with the current to the other side.

If you are aiming for a very specific spot, then I suppose you must ‘tame’ the river. But why not merely aim to cross the river, ride the current across, and then walk to the desired spot?

Often when an inexperienced river-crosser gets about halfway, he realizes that his struggle has exhausted him. Now he must choose between a final fight against the current, or to give in and to go with its flow.

The choice to let go is to admit that to struggle is often mere nonsense.


I’m james@nonsenseatwork.com

Copyright: 2007 James Henry McIntosh

James can be heard on Public Radio, 88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA.
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