Change to Survive

Nothing makes you respect the power of time, than growing a year older. Time, the elusive time, if only we understood the real power of time. Most of us don’t change when things are going smoothly, even the river refuses to change its course, yet when there is a storm, a drastic event, pushing you towards your very basic survival, even the river is  FORCED to look for options  and change its course. Change is of two types - voluntary and involuntary. Change resulting in fulfilling our desires is welcomed, yet when life takes control of your destiny, and you have to give up something close to you , the unsolicited change can be hard to digest for most of us.

I am not a big fan of  football, but the other day watching an NFL game aired on T.V., I was amazed to see these huge 200 pound or more big guys, jumping up after getting tackled with an agility that belied their size and built. We will always be brought down by our problems, but keeping the love for ourselves and for life intact, how fast we respond and adapt decides our fate. Similar to the football players, who develop this ability through practice and more practice, we can learn to face challenges head on by stabilizing our mind through focussing on the present and our blessings.

Other times, severing off  your rotting limb,  is the only way to survive. It can be a relationship, a career, or simply a  lifestyle or attitude, anything that is stagnant will rot. Have you ever seen a flowing stream in the woods? It creates its own path , soft and pliable water, not fighting the rocks, but finding ways around it. In my mind, faced by problems seemingly insurmountable,  I always imagined that I was going  deep down in the hole - from where it would be impossible to claw my way out to light and freedom. That was till I readjusted my attitude to thinking that the darkness was caused by clouds , clouds that would one day would  bring down rain and clean my soul or would be blown away to expose the beautiful sky lit with stars and moon.  To imagine being surrounded by a sight so beautiful, to be cradled in the arms of nature , gives you the courage and patience to wait for the sky to clear and sun to smile again.

As a friend of mine put it  life is a one way journey , always moving forward towards the  final destination. Enjoy the ride offering you a change in scenery .There is no way to rewind, no way to fast forward, just breathe in all the fresh experiences  that will never be repeated again.  In fact every moment of life is  a once in a lifetime  experience and all we need is to just be present,  - choosing to chaff the feelings that bog us down and just wearing the cloak of  love and good memories.

So, here I am, knowing and accepting that although the clouds might seem to have been blown away for now, they will be back  , but next time I will not in a hole but will be  standing high on the mountain waiting patiently for the sun to shine again.