“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves…. Be water my friend.”
Bruce Lee
Song: Take Her by Common Kings
Article: Overwhelmed? Try this. by Ozan Varol
Thought: Every Spring the Boise River floods. It’s very predictable and the City has done a good job creating floodable spaces for it to happen within where homes and people are not at risk. The spaces include parks and trails that don’t require much clean up afterwards. So it mostly just ends up being an inconvenience with some minor detours and closures. We just let the river do its thing.
Last week, I was out for a walk along the trails and came upon the sign saying the trail was flooded and closed. Naturally, I ignored it thinking it couldn’t be that bad or I could find a way around. Neither was true and I ended up ankle deep in water and muddy. Not life threatening but also avoidable if I just followed the sign.
It is tempting to fight the flow and ignore signs. I do it frequently and almost always ends up the same: poorly. Usually with consequences worse than wet feet. I’m slowly learning to stop ignoring signs and forging ahead against the flow. My best work (and life) exist going with the flow, not against it. My best friendships work, not by forcing connection or time, but when I allow them to progress in their seasons. My best parenting happens when I give the signs a flood might be ahead and guide appropriately.
Trying to fight water never ends well – whether it’s from a freeze, a river or an ocean. I appreciate the reminders from people in my life when I might be trying to fight an un-winnable battle against water. Waiting for it to pass is much more pleasant for everyone. This flood will pass. Just like it does every year and the trails are clear to travel.