Embracing the Flow of Being

The ebb and flow of life can be gentle if we allow the tides to shift when they’re ready. When we appreciate what’s unique within each stretch.

I’ve been shifting my perspective recently in the midst of what feels like a pause.

In the past, I’ve often criticized myself or felt guilty when I’ve slowed down. For the first time I can remember, though, I’m learning to be compassionate with myself and not label this current time as something I’ll have to endure. 

I’m not lagging or failing. I’m just catching my breath. 

Life may feel it’s ebbing, but it’s still moving, storing up for what’s next. 

A friend shared a concept with me the other day that I really appreciate: There’s a cycle of what he called BEING, DOING, and HAVING.  

BEING stands in the current moment, fully satisfied, aligned with Source, tuned into the fullness of Presence. Listening. Perceiving. Giving gratitude. Living out, from within. 

It’s the birthplace of inspiration, and the impetus for "Doing."

DOING focuses, accomplishes, accrues, and achieves. How efficient, effective, productive and prolific can we be? How many places can we be at once? When we’re “on” - genuinely inspired and lit up - there’s nothing like it. 

I have vivid memories of intense, focused times in life when I’ve directed a show or event, started a business, or given a child 1000% attention and care over an extended period. We all have times when we give all of ourselves and do more than we thought possible, and with clear, real intention.

Then comes the pause of HAVING.

How often do we allow ourselves to rest in simply HAVING, in appreciating the current moment – nothing needing to be added to or taken from us? We’re content, open, and appreciative. We take time to look for the silver lining, the lesson, or the surprise. We stop to recognize and cherish the fruits of the “doing.”

In this space of “having,” I recognize and celebrate the genuine freedom with which I live now. As one friend and I agreed the other day, we’re done worrying about what we think others think and tailoring our “doing” to it. 

In the midst of “having," the simple things in life are sweet and profound, and enough. Lingering in prayer and meditation in the early morning hours, experiencing how it sets my day; sitting on the front porch with my husband at the end of the day and watching the storm clouds gather; recognizing that the smile I awakened with is the same I wear to bed. My days are congruent…and this is precious.

I know that the equilibrium that I experience in the calm of “having” is seeding the “being” that inspires next steps. And from there, honest, intentional “doing.”

My generation has been driven. Success has been measured by “doing.” For those who graduated with me in the 80’s, the message we got was that we should do it all to keep up – both family and career. It often felt like a constant state of “doing.” For many, doing it all isn't a choice.

I’ve had numerous conversations in the last few months with women who are beginning to ask themselves what honestly inspires and fulfills them. They’re taking time to read, listen, learn and tune into what they’re thinking and feeling and moving forward with greater freedom and integrity.

We are finding honest inspiration behind the “doing” and learning to appreciate it more through “having” and “being.”

The cycles continue in their own time. Why fight them? They are as individual and wonderful as my three children. I wouldn’t change a thing. 

"We cannot go through life strong and fresh on constant express trains; but we must have quiet hours, secret places of the Most High, times of waiting upon the Lord when we renew our strength, and learn to mount up on wings as eagles, and then come back to run and not be weary, and to walk and not faint."  

- John Edward Southall