You need to start here to get there.
On small beginnings like the Colorado River
When I travel, I love when we can visit the origin of a mighty river. I find it fascinating and humbling to witness the source of greatness. To feel and know the untapped potential and power yet to come.
While we were touring Rocky Mountain National Park, we discovered a trailhead to the start of the Colorado River. A short turnoff and a small unmaintained path led to the water. While beautiful, there was really nothing special about it. Any number of small creeks and streams could be as beautiful.
And yet… this is the same water that will flow and gather power. So much so that by the time it reaches the Grand Canyon it will churn and froth into some of the most coveted and dangerous rapids in the world. It will be the source of water for major western cities. It is the source of water wars in those same geographies because demand exceeds supply.
I kept thinking to myself.
Without this
You would never have this.
Discounting small, peaceful beginnings
As I put my hand in the cold water I thought of all the times in life where I think about a desired outcome and wonder – how the heck can that ever become a possibility?
Just like this water before me.
An origin so small that it is only noticeable in hindsight.
A seemingly insignificant choice.
A tiny habit.
A subtle orientation of directional bearing.
A decision (voiced or unvoiced).
And then the flow begins.
Between here and there
What happens between here and there? Between inception and terminus? Between crazy thought and fruition?
Many things.
I’m no geologist but what I do know is the way in which this particular trickle powers through the Grand Canyon makes it one of the greatest wonders in the world. Weather, topography, and human (over) demand sculpt it along its journey. The predictable and unpredictable make it what it is.
I don’t know if you are anything like me, but when I want to make a change (go from here to there so to speak), I want it to be predictable with iron-clad guarantees before I set the flow in motion.
Laughable, right?
As a part of nature, what makes me think my experience should be any different than controllable and uncontrollable simultaneously?
I need to flow like water, and both change and be changed by the landscape.
Be awake on the journey.
Influence what I can and let go.
Allow myself to be malleable in relationship to the rest of the factors at play.
As simply and as profound as that (cue the “so you think you have it all figured out” laugh track).
Grasp the ungraspable
The awe and wonder of it all is inexplicable. Yet, it is my curious nature to want to grasp the magnitude of it all. To take something that is impossible to contain and reduce it to a digestible nugget. Think about it – the only reason the river does not flood the Grand Canyon (even when it overflows its banks) is because that ditch is DEEP!
To flow is to let go and let power organically build to stay as fluid and flexible as it is unstoppable.
Perhaps a fitting prayer is “Let me be like water.”
Powerful message and prayer. Thank you.
Let me be like water..... and go with the flow.... great phrase in running as well....