The River of Life

I've always loved the awesome majesty of mountains. They are, however, the byproduct of the rivers that formed them: flowing, adjusting, carving, crashing and gently nurturing the land and animals along the way. The river carves its way through, and the mountains answer as towers of strength. Like the river, our lives are forever moving and changing, shaping us as the water shapes the land it flows through.

The water's FLOW shapes the river, shapes the land, and defines the river's size along its path. The water reacts to obstacles in its way. It creates pools, channels, and gorges. It also determines the habitat and landscape that surrounds it, the food sources within it, and the animal and plant life that can survive in it. The animals and plants depend on it for life itself. In the same way, we flow and adjust, change and contribute along the path of life.

There is an unseen force driving the flow: THE UNDERCURRENT. The undercurrent can be strong and drive the flow quickly. Like the river, we have a hidden force that drives us. The spirit that drives us can be strong and vibrant; sometimes beautiful, sometimes murky, and sometimes unknown.

The RAPIDS result from obstacles beneath the surface. We experience turbulence when unexpected changes/obstacles affect us. At times staying afloat seems like an insurmountable task. We struggle to adapt to the rapids in our life and find that the turbulence becomes part of our life's flow.

WATERFALLS are strong, powerful, one of nature's greatest hazards and most beautiful phenomena. For us, the waterfalls of life interrupt our normal flow with great force and strength. Major life changes throw us into emotional falls, and feelings that are strong, intense and powerful. The waterfall is unpredictable and frightening because we lose control. If we ride the waterfall, we can savor the feeling that awaits us when we arrive at the gentle swirling pools at the bottom.

WHIRLPOOLS form when the rushing water hits an obstruction. The water turns around and around, in a swirling motion?. Spinning and out of control. In our lives, the whirlpools churn us around, suck us in and spit us out. The secret to surviving the whirlpools is to relax, let go, and realize we are not in control of many things. Even though we think we will sink at the time and never be able to come up for air, we will eventually pop up, just as a leaf that is sucked into the whirlpool will pop up.

Reaching the calm POOLS is the reward. For us, the pools bring those moments of calm and reflection. This is the place for learning and recuperation?. taking a deep breath?. And then moving on.

At the EDDIES, the water actually turns around and flows upstream along the bank, and then turns around to join the downstream flow. For us, the eddy is the place for reflection; Looking at what is past, learning from it, and moving on.

In the end, the river, which is now bulging with life, energy, and fullness, joins the sea, contributing all it has gathered along the way. Just like us: we flow, adjust, grow, and bring what we have to something bigger.

Copyright © Soaring 2004 by Cheryl Perlitz

All rights reserved

About The Author

In the business world, Cheryl Perlitz is best known as the author of the popular book, "Soaring Through Setbacks - Rise above adversity - Reclaim your life" and her upcoming book "Survival Tips Handbook."

Cheryl's clients, friends and colleagues know her as a fearless mountain climber and nature lover with an insatiable spirit of adventure. She is a dynamic speaker and trainer/facilitator for Candidate University and the National Speakers Assn.

Cheryl's message to you; "TRANSFORM YOUR MOUNTAINS INTO OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVENTURE AND POSITIVE CHANGE." You may contact Ms. Perlitz through her website.

julie@rivendellcommunications.com

Choose Most Inspirational Brauchli Sound Bite!
Washington City Paper, DC - 11 hours ago
Everyone says that he’ll have plenty of occasions to deliver his inspirational, pump-up-the-newsroom address. When he does that, he may want to ditch the ...

Man Writes Inspirational Book After Traumatic Illness
NBC5i.com, TX - 10 hours ago
PLANO, Texas -- A Plano man who has survived four brain hemorrhages and two surgeries has written a book to show others how to be inspired to survive. ...

Inspirational award
Macarthur Advertiser, Australia - 5 hours ago
Classy teacher: Sarah Redfern High School visual arts teacher Dennis Nguyen has been nominated for the Australian Scholarships Group Inspirational Teacher ...

Inspirational shock
Jerusalem Post, Israel - Jul 8, 2008
By HELEN KAYE Rami Beer, artistic director of the Kibbutz Dance Company, once went to pick up some electrical components. The technician put them together, ...

CathNews
Coin for inspirational MacKillop
CathNews, Australia - 7 hours ago
Blessed Mary MacKillop will be the first person featured on a new series of Inspirational Australians coins. Superannuation and Corporate Law Minister Nick ...

Top Ten Famous Inspirational Quotes
Gather.com, MA - 11 hours ago
by CL Mareydt, Inspirational Author 1. Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right. 2. You see things; and you say 'Why? ...

Josh Hamilton: An Inspirational Story To Me
Bleacher Report, CA - 15 hours ago
Derrick Hixson sees Josh Hamilton as a true American success story, proof that good people can, and do, make bad decisions, but can overcome. by Derrick ...

Inspirational Youth Encourage You to Show Your Real Face
Earthtimes (press release), UK - 15 hours ago
Do you show your real face? Find out by visiting ShowYourRealFace.com. The recently-launched website hosts an interactive online community that encourages ...

an inspirational conference...
Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription) - 21 hours ago
I am on the road, conducting some research abroad and unable to get myself to a proper computer. So, I just figured that I’d see if I could use my ...

'This will be as inspirational as Alamo, without the guns'
WorldNetDaily, OR - Jul 7, 2008
"This will be as inspirational as the Alamo, without the guns, knives, blood or death," he said. "Homosexual activists could take the ordinance to court, ...

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

What We Believe We Create - Love is the Creation