Like the flowing river

Recently, I've been reading a lot about this idea of 'flow'. It's the notion that we are created with a unique set of skills and interests for a unique path that we're meant to follow, and when we find that path, when we get into 'flow', things just fall into place and we feel fulfilled, life is meaningful, and get to do what we enjoy doing without it feeling like work. Just like a flowing river, we're not stagnant, but we're vibrant and alive and always moving forward when we're in 'flow'.

It sounds alluring and effortless, this idea of 'flow'. It's where we all want to be.

But we mustn't forget that while 'flow' is a path of constant, deliciously and wildly exciting motion, it is not the path of least resistance.

Just like a river, there are sharp and jagged rocks we'll have to flow over. We're not meant to have a smooth ride over the rocky, turbulent parts of life - but rather, when we're in flow, our efforts and our persistence over time should smoothen the resistance we face and turn it into something beautiful and worth admiring.

When we speak of finding that thing we were 'meant for' in life, we shouldn't fall into the trap of pursuing 'comfortable' and 'easy'. Often the thing that will bring us most joy and meaning doesn't seem appealing in the beginning.

Learn to embrace the jagged edges of life. Instead of running from the ugliness of life, let your life be a part of the river that will, slowly but steadily, smoothen out the roughness around you.

Some rights reserved by Matt Mercer