Ahh it's been some time since I have expressed myself on this blog.
So yeah, what comes to mind when writing is the up hill struggle one must endure to enjoy the down hill ride that follows it. I feel that most things in life worth fighting for come with risks of various magnitudes.
As a, somewhat, Taoist I have come to understand that going with the flow can be a very rewarding experience, less stress, less problems, it's just generally easy going. But in my experience you must stick your hand in hot water, or cause a bit of chaos to bring balance when things are out of key. That might not make much sense, but for example, if a person were to burn down a field of dry grass there could be many problems. People can get hurt with fire, houses can burn down, animals lose their homes, things could explode. But after this fire is done with there will remain an abundance of carbon and fertilizer left on the ground for the next generation of grass and flora to use to grow. So in a sense, chaos and destruction gives way to new life. So one may look at a fire and see destruction while another may see it as long term creation in some ways.
So with this in mind, sometimes going with the flow not always a good thing, there is a time to relax and let things slide, and there is a time to swim against the current of life in an attempt to change its course.
Hi Michael,
ReplyDeleteGood to see you writing. Personally, I think it's pretty hard to go with the flow, something invariably interrupts it. I see only the very adept being able to do it. I wish I could be in some good zone most of the time. Maybe I could if I tried to practice mindfulness. That's one thing I love about reading other people's blogs is that I get inspired to start new things or return to things I've neglected.
Have you ever studied the I Ching? According to its philosophy there are times of action and times of rest or even withdrawal, the tricky part is knowing when to act and when not to act. Just because you really feel like acting might be just the time when you shouldn't act, same for deciding to not act. So that's what I see as going with the flow, knowing when to go and when to stop or retreat.
You going against the flow could mean many things. It could mean growing up. There's a hexagram in the I Ching #3 called Difficulty In The Beginning in Wilhelm's translation and the image for it is of a blade of grass with deep roots sprouting up through the earth. It's not always easy to grow, hence growing pains, but in the long run, it's a good thing. Sounds like that's where you're at.
Kate
Ahh thanks for your kind words kate :) you been doing well?
ReplyDeleteI guess its like that song eh "You gatta know when to hold em, know when to fold em"
Maybe life is like a game a poker :P