Life is a work in progress -how to accept it?
One day this week I felt like absolutely everything in my life was at a standstill and nothing seemed to move forward.
That is how I FELT. The feeling was so uncomfortable that the only thing that helped was going for a walk. It is my favorite remedy for all kinds of buzzing in the mind. It just so happened that this time too walking helped me open up, calmed my mind and gave me space to see the forest from the trees. I realized why I was having difficulties: I was struggling to accept that life is a work in progress and incomplete.
The flow of life
Life does not depend on us, it goes on at its own pace. However hard we try, things may seem to drag behind and get caught up in the flow of life. Sometimes despite working hard you don’t feel like you are making progress in life, relationships, studies, work or towards other hopes that you have in your life.
The feeling of inadequacy can be heart-rending and palpable. How often do we get caught up in impatience that takes us upstream or in the worst case, obsessively straight into trouble? Only because we would so much like to be in control of our own lives all the time!
Sometimes the fact that life has its independent flow, which we just can’t control, can be incredibly hard to swallow.
Even knowing this does not make things simple. If you have worked hard for a thing that matters to you, a hope, a goal or a dream, it is not easy to stop to wait for the flow to go your way or to change direction.
Go downstream or towards the rocks?
Sea kayaking always reminds me of how important it is to recognize the currents and winds. The same goes for life: it is fantastic to go downstream effortlessly and gently floating. The right type of headwind or crosswind can also be enjoyable, when all your senses open up as you put in all your shoulder strength and make brisk progress on your journey.
I have also learnt that it is better to have respect for a strong wind or sinister storm clouds. You have to consider carefully, if continuing on is sensible and if you have the strength or if another route would be better. Often the best option is to get on dry land and take a break for rest and maintenance. The wind will often calm down and one direction or the other will clear up.
Determination and humility in the flow of life
The spirit of the times often leads us to have great desire to reach our goals and become the masters of our own destiny. This takes resolve and determination, which are an enormous resource – unless they become stubbornness, which on the other hand tends to narrow your perspective, leaving out everything else. To build your own happiness, you will also need a dose of humility in how you face life.
We may not yet see all the plans life has in store for us because of all the bends on the road.
Life-affirming logophilosophy, developed by Viktor Franklin (1905-1977), centers on purpose and states that a human being is the co-creator of his own life. This thought can make it easier to walk in the headwinds of life and help see the blows and obstacles as part of a bigger picture. When we struggle with the feeling of inadequacy or an emphasized sense of responsibility, this thought reminds us that we can carry only our own share of responsibility for things working out.
Are you open to see life’s clues?
People often say that things will work out and life carries on. But are we able to trust life and let the flow carry us?
Are we able to enjoy the journey
and at the same time in the present moment
also feel the peaceful feeling of having arrived, here and now?
It is different from floating with the stream wherever it takes you. It means being aware and awake and sensing the gentle clues from life, listening to your own inner wisdom and intuition. You need to recognize the flow downstream and upstream and when it is best to stop and wait.
Are you letting life carry you?
If you lock yourself into strict goals, schedules and steps, some opportunities offered by life might pass you by as you focus on completing your tasks.
Life might be offering interruptions and options, but the hectic pace leaves no space for them.
You might hear about a great book, but you have no time to read it right now and postpone it for sometime later…or you hear about a course, that sounds enthralling, but you let it go past…you might see an advertisement for a job or a house that seems interesting, but you turn it down without hesitation, because the timing and the location are not right in this moment…and so on.
Life will not have the chance to intervene, flow and happen, if we are constantly in a hurry to achieve or perform according to our plan with our eyes closed to everything else.
Which surprises does life have to offer, which pass us by because we lock ourselves into our goals? Are you giving life space to happen? Are you letting life surprise you from time to time and carry you?
Thank you for sharing this post with anyone who is interested in the topic!
I am happy to receive your comments and feedback: marjaliisa@avartamo.fi
Marjaliisa