Flow Like a River: Embracing Nature's Lessons

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to hike with friends in Sibate, Colombia. The hike was quite challenging, especially when we had to climb through a river, leaving my legs trembling by the end. However, during this experience, I was struck by how effortlessly the river navigated around rocks and obstacles.

This moment served as a powerful metaphor: just as the river adapts swiftly, so too can we. Nature is our greatest teacher, illuminating our minds and refreshing our spirits. Just like a river that flows around, over, or under obstacles, we can learn to adapt, pivot, and evolve.

Reflecting on the changing seasons in nature, we see that each phase serves a purpose. In summer, everything is vibrant. In fall, colors shift. In winter, many creatures hibernate, and spring brings blooming flowers. We, too, experience similar cycles in our lives. Embracing change is essential; we must learn to surrender and flow with it.

“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance,” said Alan Watts.

Adjusting Our Mindset

Fear of the unknown, comfort in the familiar, and self-doubt are common barriers that lead us to resist change. In just 14 days, I am relocating back to Europe. To ease this transition, I have been implementing two effective strategies:

1. Incorporating Minimum Valuable Habits (MVH): When preparing to move across the ocean from Colombia, I aim to maintain the healthy habits that keep me grounded, such as exercising and writing.

• Strategy #1: Inspired by Sahil Bloom’s quick morning workout, I’ve adopted the 5-5-5-30 method:

  • 5 push-ups
  • 5 squats
  • 5 lunges per leg
  • 30-second plank

This straightforward routine provides an energy boost and helps me start my day on a positive note, ensuring that my physical and mental health remain intact despite the changes.

2. Implementing a Structured Work Approach: For the past two months, I have also been following Dan Koe’s 4-Hour Work Day framework:
   • 1 hour of writing
   • 1 hour of building
   • 1 hour of learning
   • 1 hour of networking

This minimal effort yields substantial benefits, helping me build a brand and career that aligns with my aspirations. Sometimes, I break these tasks into 30-minute segments to make them more manageable.

It's crucial not to let the whirlwind of change impede my progress. Instead, I am choosing to embrace adaptation, flowing like a river.

For every night, there is a day. For every winter, there is a summer. For every storm, there is calm. For every loss, there is a gain. For every doubt, there is certainty. For every period of change, there is a period of stability.

Don’t allow the fear of the unknown to paralyze you. When life brings challenges, remember to adapt swiftly like the river.

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