Learn to Live Like Water

Food for thought:

My friend recently finished a job interview at a school she really loved. She said the interview went really well but slipped right into reflecting on what went wrong. She clenched her teeth and winced recalling several moments, even though many who attended her talks came up to congratulate her on her work. We often spend a lot of time remembering the low moments and analyzing the potential outcome based on this myopic picture. Further, we compare our successes with those around us. We forget how different each person's life is, and waste time worrying about others' successes. 

A couple of challenges:
  • Find those topics we find interesting. Identify those exciting topics that keep you engaged, and pursue these when you feel down, slow, or incapable. This will provide you with that feeling of success, advancement, and pride to help you get up and out, and back to a more powerful state.
  • Focus on simply noting when you have thoughts of comparing yourself to others. Once noted, take a deep breath and assess why you feel this way, and settle your mind. Over time, this exercise will help you remain focused when those crippling thoughts arise. Read Headspace for more of these tricks and exercises. 
  • Take a notebook and be critical of your strengths and weaknesses. Write down some of your goals. Use THOSE to compare yourself and track your progress, not other people...
We all have moments where we feel powerful, followed by times of doubt. I think of this ebb and flow like waves in the ocean (oh how poetic - I even added a poem I focus on understanding at the end). I come back to this poem in Tao Te Ching in times of doubt. I challenge us all to not waste time comparing, and instead look inward. 

A good poem:

From the book "Tao Te Ching"

The supreme goodness is like water. 
It benefits all things without contention.
In dwelling, it stays grounded.
In being it flows to depths.
In expression it is honest.
In confrontation, it stays gentle
In governance, it does not control
In action, it aligns with timing.


I try to live with these principles that water shows us. Isn't water amazing? Take care not to waste it...or your time!

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