It is always a pleasure to watch a flowing river. There is a certain energy and freshness around it which resonates. If we were to reflect on its beauty, there is much we can imbibe in our own lives.

It is the constant flow that keeps the river water fresh. When we develop the ability to constantly move, keeping an open mind, and are constantly learning, we allow the freshness of ideas to flow through us.

A river, no matter where we see it, is always moving towards a final destination. Being mindful and purposeful in everything we do keeps us on track, and allows our guidance to flow through us, helping us reach our destination.

It is the banks of the river that keep it on its path. When we bank our lives to stay on the straight and narrow path, we allow our principles and values to flow through us.

A river navigates its path and finds its way around rocks and mountains. When we develop faith that no matter what the obstacle, there is always a way around it, we learn to become adaptable, and we allow our creativity and determination to flow through us.

Trees flourish on the banks of a river. Noted environmentalist Bittu Sahgal would often remind us – ‘a river is the mother of a forest.’ When we support and help others on our journey, we allow abundance and compassion to flow through us.

Sometimes a river falls from a great height, but even in its fall it can either become a beautiful waterfall or help generate electricity. When we find an opportunity in our challenges and adversity, we allow our resilience to flow through us.

And finally, a river merges with the mighty ocean, and at once loses herself, yet finds herself in a vastness unimagined. When we understand and develop the subtle art of surrendering, not only do we lose our ego, we allow the vastness of life to flow through us.

Each one of us is a river charting our own course, and each one of us has our own journey to traverse. In spite of all the rocks and mountains that come our way, we can make this journey meaningful and enjoyable if we learn to flow like a river.

(Picture-Yaletown, Vancouver)