I’ve experienced the joy of rafting some pretty amazing rivers in my lifetime. And I’ve experienced some hair-raising rapids. The first time I got tossed into the river I panicked and nearly drowned because, even though I had a lifejacket on, I resisted the river and her currents. I got pretty banged up from the rocks and ended up getting stuck in the muck until the guides could pull me ashore.

When you embark on a river rafting excursion one of the things a guide will tell you is: if you get tossed into the water (and if it’s a good trip, you will), put your feet up in front and lean back onto your lifejacket and go with the flow. They tell you to trust the river, that she will always take you to shore.

That’s a perfect way to approach life. Trust the flow. Trust in your Divine nature.

As you learn to trust yourself something miraculous happens. You begin to trust the process you are living and the miracles life brings!  Iyanla Vanzant

This isn’t always easy, we humans like to complicate things. And we’ve been programmed to struggle. For me, trust was a foreign word, it held no meaning, no value.

That first time that I got tossed out of the boat, I had no clue as to what it meant to trust the river. There were large rocks and more rapids ahead. I was scared, certain that I was going to smash into those rocks and die a painful death. So I did the opposite of what the guides told me to do–I struggled.

Struggle appears as a natural instinct when in truth it’s only our human reaction born out of fear. The truth took me some time to absorb and it started with those river trips and learning that my very survival depended on my trusting the river. We get to shore only when we stop struggling.

For so many years I made this human journey difficult by resisting what was there. Now, after all these years and many trips around the sun, I know that my true nature is to trust, not to struggle. Trusting the flow of life has empowered me.

I get to choose whether to either surrender and float on the incredibly high vibrational current of life, or I can muck in the mud and hope to get to shore. It is and always has been my choice.

Some days the river is smooth and tranquil offering blissful comfort. Other days she’s rough and unpredictable. The rapids are those big and little bumps that we all incur from time to time. And like all of life’s bumps, they can be nearly unnoticeable and easily traversed. Or they can present major, even scary obstacles, tossing us into the river. But with practice and a firm commitment to creating a life of emotional well-being, the shore is always accessible.

Life continues to surprise me. About the time I think I can sit back and chill, I’m confronted with another rapid. But now I do have my lifejacket on and I’m ready. Some days life scares me but it doesn’t intimidate me any more.

This is living life on life’s terms. And I love it!

A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing. She goes where she will without pretense, and arrives at her destination to be herself and only herself.

Maya Angelou

Go With the Flow: A Simple Practice

I recommend doing this at least once a day. Consider making it a ritual by lighting a candle and diffusing some essential oil such as Believe*.

Place yourself in a comfortable place with little or no distraction. Have your journal and writing instrument nearby. Sit straight but not rigid.

Plant the seeds of love and trust by setting an intention to let go of what no longer supports this innate ability to trust.

Now, do three or more rounds of conscious breathing. This doesn’t have to be formal, simply breathing in and releasing mindfully is adequate. If you’d like more help, check this out:  (https://www.leebyrdmystic.com/breath-work-beginner-embodiment-exercise/).

When ready, listen to this audio guided body-awareness meditation:

https://www.leebyrdmystic.com/about/meditation/body-awareness-meditation-practice-noticing-sensations/

After your meditation, take a few minutes and notate in your journal any thoughts. Ask, what stands in my way of trusting the flow?

*Believe is a Young Living blend of essential oils that has been formulated to calm and ground the spirit allowing us to believe in our own limitless potential.

Before using any essential oils, take a few minutes and read this disclaimer: https://www.leebyrdmystic.com/about/contact/disclaimer/

Lee Byrd

Mystic, Lightworker, Intuitive Guide

Essential Oil Educator

Website: LeeByrdMystic.com

Email: [email protected]
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