I hope you dance, remove resistance and follow nature's rhythm

I am sitting at the beach and it occurred to me that life is similar to the waves on a beach head. There is a natural ebb and flow to it. There is a normal loss and gain that occurs.

Our perspective and acceptance of this progression enables us to allow this process and be rewarded with growth. Be like the great sapling in the woods; flexible yet maintaining awesome strength and endurance, because it moves with the wind not against it. Be like the great oceans of the world, neither fighting nor resisting the natural ebb and flow of nature.

Many of us experience “down” moods because of our inflexibility. We resist the natural flow. We do this often times because of unrealistic attachments (control). The sapling has attachments as well, but it is still flexible.

When we refuse to accept changes and/or discomforts in life, we are resisting. That resistance causes unhappiness. Where there is no resistance, there is no unhappiness. Unhappiness always resists some condition. It is established based on an interpretation for or against something in our lives. The root of unhappiness is attachment.

I’m not asking you to give up all your attachments. That is unrealistic and even unhealthy. I am suggesting though that when you are “down” ask yourself what you are resisting. What are you attached to that is causing this unhappiness? What were you trying to control?

Simply become aware of your attachments, your perceptions, and your interpretation for or against. Start to notice how you made your happiness conditional. The example of the tree is perfect in understanding the proper balance of attachment.

It is both strength and surrender, strong and flexible. It has deep roots and wide branches. It is fixed below yet accommodating above. Stand tall and flexible but rooted only in the moment.

Know your needs but allow them to be met as only life knows how. Do not insist that your needs be met in a certain way. When you do, you most assuredly will meet with resistance and unhappiness.

The trunk of a tree will snap if it stands against the wind. Move with the wind. Minimize your resistance and attachments to outcomes.

Perform the dance of life in a continuum not a preset method. The dance, like the wind, will go on with you or against you. You are the one that determines this.

We enter this dance of life for one reason- to move from the conditional to the unconditional. This process is the meaning of life; to participate in the dance and be willing to learn, to touch and be touched, to love and be loved. Open your arms to life and move your feet to its rhythm not yours.

Nature has all of our answers to a happy life if only we would listen and see. Nature has survived long before man. It holds secrets that it is willing to reveal if we only observe.

Today, take a moment and observe something in nature. Notice the connection to your life. Notice its process and its lack of attachment to predetermined time frames and outcomes. Noticed its only attachment is to the rhythm of life, that is its dance.

I hope you dance today. I hope you hear the rhythm of life and blend into nature, not stand against it.

Author: stephen budd