Ideas come and go. Projects start and finish. Success ebbs and flows. Nothing seems to be constant anymore. Or was it ever?
I suppose if you look at the trajectory of life, you can see if you’re climbing or descending with regard to the areas where you are putting your focus. But sometimes, when you in the middle of all of it, it can feel as if you’re standing still. Treading water.
That is a bit how it has been for me for the past week or so. Treading water…, that sense of just trying to keep a float. Doing what I need to do to keep from letting my head go under. Usually with little to no energy in reserve to push forward. To start moving in a more decisive direction.
These are the times when most of us begin to reflect on what we’re doing and why we are doing it. A time of self-assessment. A time to check in with ourselves and make sure that we are still on the right track. That we are where we want to be.
For some of us, this is happening all to often these days. The periods of treading water seem to be getting longer. Or, it is challenging to hold our energy and focus on things that use to seem effortless. It can feel as if we are at odds-with ourselves.
What I have come to realize for myself is that these ebbs in the cycle of life are not the time to be making long-term decisions. When you feel exhausted from keeping pace with the world, it is not the time to make dramatic change.
We all go through ups and downs. We all have good days and bad days. Not all of the static times in our lives are event or circumstance driven. Sometimes we hit a low or slow period, because that is what we need. Because the pause is what is in alignment with everything on our plate.
If you’re like me, it doesn’t matter that this is normal or part of the ebb and flow of life. It sucks. It’s not how it is “suppose” to be. I have conditioned myself to climb, to grow, to expand! Contracting or even standing still.., feels off! It’s not how I ‘think’ it is suppose to be.
And herein lies the problem. Thinking is mind-based. Our mind is the guardian and keeper of our beliefs, patterns, logic and reason. No matter how flawed. The mind is the territory of the ego. Both positive and negative.
You see whenever anything is not going as ‘planned’ (by the mind), our ego begins to freak out! It begins to make-up stories. It searches the past for examples, evidence or proof of how unsafe it is to be off-plan. There is nothing that challenges the ego more than not knowing what the next move or step is. It wants predictable. It wants safe.
But sometimes we are at the mercy of time. Sometimes what we are creating, building, planning or whatever, has to simmer and stew for a bit. In other words, it is not quite ready. But the mind will never admit or tell us this!
Instead, we have to shut off the stories of the mind and tune in to our connection to the heart. To connect with our emotions. To see what ‘feels’ right.
It is through the connection to the heart that we will know if we are in the right place or not. If the pause is actually as challenging as we are making it out to be. Or is it simply our mind or our ego’s interpretation of the in-between that is causing the current discomfort. Our heart’s can help us sense the truth.
That is why this week, I am spending a lot of time checking in with my heart… as I simultaneously am battling my thoughts. Because one thing I know for sure; I feel uncomfortable whenever it is time for me to tread water!
With Light, Love, and Laughter
Charles
Such a great reminder Charles. My mind wants me to ‘get it done now’, but as you said, we are on Universal time, and when the ‘time’ is right, thy will be done.
I have learned so much since my son’s passing. Letting go of what I thought was important, and focusing on what truly is a priority for me now. I stop and listen to my heart, as it never steers me in the wrong direction.
You bring up a really important point Linda… when I am in my head.., what I am spinning around in my thoughts feels as if they are really important. Yet in truth, what is really important has little to do with projects and goals. It is being present to our lives and those we love. Thanks for sharing!
Ah Charles, what a beautiful, astute observation. And a blessed gift your soul gave you to experience and then share with others. Just stop seeing any challenge as a battle – love it and let it know it is safe and all is well.
Namaste, Joseph
Thanks Joseph.., I’m trying!
I think we’ve been living parallel lives! I have been using this saying for the last two months as that is how I’m feeling. This article put more depth though to explain my own “treading water”. I even put myself on a “no big decisions for 30 days” as I was just getting myself into deeper waters. I always find something in your writings that I can relate to, but this was a beauty in the level it resonated. Thank you.
Thank you Michelle for connecting and relaying our parallel process. I had a conversation about this today, and love your awareness or imagery of the water getting deeper and deeper. It is true, the longer we are in the sensation of it, the deeper it feels. Not happy you are going through it, but happy we are keeping virtual company!!