Riding the waves : Navigating the ebbs and flows of life

Life appears to have a natural flow. It continually changes day by day, sometimes we are aware of the changes and sometimes consumed by it. The highs and lows remind me of a line graph. If we were to truly document our experiences, be honest with ourselves we would see a pattern and realise that for our lives to be fulfilling we must have ebbs and flows.

Life is about learning and growing. If we do not experience the downturn we can not grow and look forward to the rising achievements and experiences, each and every change in our rhythm of life creates a new pathway, a new experience and ultimately our destiny.

It seems to me that we resist the plunge, we are consistently in pursuit of happiness. It would seem that we are unaware that we can not have happiness 24/7, if we did , how could we grow? What lesson is to be learned from eternal contentment? In my opinion happiness is a sign that I have learned a lesson and now its time for a new course. Do I embrace negativity and challenges as a positive feeling? of course not. Self sabotage and resistance to residing in my happy place is a daily battle no matter how I subconsciously realise that they are a necessary state for my personal growth. I am learning to embrace them and understand that they are part of the process, a recession in my mindset if you like and we all know what happens after recession - growth. I do however try to keep my recession shallow.

RESILIENCE

I often feel that the depression of flow requires a certain amount of resilience, it is not enough to accept it and let it wash over me. I want to use it as a stepping stone to my next phase of improvement. Today I may fall but tomorrow I am on track once again. The best example I can give is to think of a game of rugby, your opponents want to knock you down, prevent you from scoring your goal. No matter how many times we go down, we get up stronger, looking for new pathways to get past the opposing team, sometimes we need the support of others but every time we must first get onto our feet denying defeat. We must become resilient to the take down. Learn to fall without harm, embrace a few bruises, change our tactics, be disciplined and determined to overcome the judgements of others so that we can truly become the best version of ourselves, even when the opponent is ourselves, our own negative self talk.

TRANSFORMATION

Although the ebbs of life may leave us feeling lost and broken it is important to remember that the flows and currents of positivity can have the opposite effect. Not only do we feel enriched by happiness it can leave us with a feeling of healing. Everything about our personality changed simply by being influenced by a smile or positive feedback. The simple act of feeling appreciated is the key to the door of change. Suddenly the ebb is a distant memory and we are once again on a trajectory toward the happiness of our lives. The growth trajectory completely transforms who we were yesterday to who we will become tomorrow.

In conclusion no matter where you are in the kaleidoscope of emotions that life brings to us, it is important to realise that it's ok. We all have good days and we all have bad days. embrace your day, forgive yourself, celebrate yourself, love yourself, you are enough and no matter where you are today, tomorrow is a new day, another chance to improve and reach the goals that you set for yourself.

xx Lei

if you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse.- Jim Rohn