Last Updated on October 21, 2024
A candle in the darkness
People keep saying, “We are living in unprecedented times.”
I don’t know about you, but I could really go for some boring times!
The world appears to be in chaos, in darkness even.
But perhaps it’s simply in transition.
We might see it as some old ways of doing things aren’t working anymore.
And that could be a good thing!
Non-forcing
Domination, control, and violence never really worked well anyway.
Whether we’re trying to control a “bad” part of ourselves, a “misbehaving” child. or “the enemy” in war, ultimately force rarely works.
Even when it does, it comes with a high price.
We keep trying it again and again because we think it’s the only or best way.
But luckily there is a far easier and more enjoyable way.
We might call this the way of non-forcing.
A river doesn’t force it’s way down a mountain.
It simply follows the path of least resistance.
And yet a river can be very powerful!
Going with the flow
All rivers flow with gravity.
And eventually they all flow back into the ocean.
Our lives are like this too.
We start somewhere and flow through life.
Ultimately we all end up back in the same great mystery that was there before we were born.
Many of us into personal development tend to think of life as an uphill climb.
We aim to achieve more and more, climbing the mountain of success.
But what if we think of life more like a river, starting at the top of the mountain and flowing down to the ocean.
Living an unprecedented life
Perhaps the key to living well in unprecedented times is living an unprecedented life.
The word “unprecedented” means “having no previous example.”
When we are in the flow, we are not responding to things from previous habits or examples.
We are living creatively, authentically, in tune with our surroundings.
If we can flow with whatever comes, we are naturally resilient.
As change accelerates over the coming decades, perhaps this is the key to our survival as a species.
Not trying to force reality to fit our expectations.
But going with the flow and being open to new and greater possibilities.
After all, darkness is banished instantly with a single candle.
It does not take much to make the world a better place.
Just a little attunement.
Take care,
~Duff
(they/them)
