Like water, life must flow to keep its essence alive. Water always finds a way. It may cut through, circumvent, overflow, or percolate, but it is patient. It is strong and soft, persistent yet restful. It crashes, yet it remains the eternal giver of life.
Water encourages us to be bold, to make a splash, and to venture to new shores. It teaches us to be yielding, purposeful, and harmonious with the natural flow of life. Water helps us reflect on our internal world, heal the wounds of our past, cleanse away the energy of the day, and start anew.
Water has a unique ability to be open. It is constantly changing, learning, and adapting. You can never step into the same running river twice; the water is different by the time you take your next step. We can apply this openness to our own lives; we just need to be receptive and maintain a curious nature about learning new ways of being and seeing things.
Water inspires freedom and choice. It always finds a solution without force or conflict and teaches us harmony with our environment. Water is formless; it does not allow itself to be trapped in one shape or form. Instead, it takes the shape and form given to it. If we wish to adopt the qualities of water, we must avoid trapping ourselves with rigid mindsets and beliefs and instead adapt to situations, growth, and change. As Bruce Lee once said, “You must empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless, like water.”