The Flow of Life

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“Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light.” – Yogi Bhajan

In 2014, I had worked up the nerve to have a child on my own. I’d chosen a fertility clinic, gone through all the screening and work-up process so by November 6th, I was sitting at my desk signing the last document I needed to begin the invitro fertilization process. I clearly remember that moment at my desk with my beloved dog at my feet thinking wondrously, “Life is about to change.”

Then the next day I got a call from my mom that my dad had died in a bicycling accident in Tucson. Sh!t! That wasn’t how life was supposed to change.

Seven years later I think through all the changes, big and small:

I have a beautiful baby girl.

My gorgeous dog dies.

My mom moves to be only 1.5 miles from me.

I miscarry a baby.

I get pregnant again and have a beautiful baby boy.

The pandemic happens.

My daughter turns 5 and goes to Kindergarten.

Kindergarten is virtual.

My son learns to walk.

And it goes on and on. Perhaps it’s because my kids change so quickly that’s making me learn to just enjoy the flow. One minute they have a habit that’s irritating me – like playing with water at the kitchen sink and getting it all over the floor and the next they’ve moved on and can now zip their own coats.

Yesterday I got a delightful message from someone I went to high school with offering me and my family free accommodations in Colorado for 4 nights in April. Yay – what a fun surprise. And it was also my dad’s birthday so he was close to my thoughts and I missed him.

The longer I go on, the more I realize that this is the flow of life – we go up and over some things and under others. It’s when I try to grab on to some branch to cling on and stay in one place that I suffer most. The more I work at my spiritual depth and faith, the easier it becomes to stay centered in the flow and live it all with openness and curiosity.

What a ride!

(featured photo from Pexels)

47 thoughts on “The Flow of Life”

    1. Thank you, Rebecca! You are exactly right – I do have wonderful memories of my father and am grateful for all the stories I can pass on to my children as we make more. Thanks for the lovely comment!

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Good for you for having a family without a spouse. I wanted to do the same back in the 70’s but did not get much support. Life is about a flow we cannot control and I think the sooner we accept that the more we make the most of it. Enjoyed your post.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you so much for reading and commenting, VJ! Yes, I agree wholeheartedly about accepting that lack of control making life so much more enjoyable.

      I can imagine that 50 years ago, single parenthood would have been much harder. But the fact that you considered show remarkable commitment!

      Liked by 2 people

  4. The flow of life. And it never stops flowing. Taking advantage of what the flow is offering at any given time and being thankful for what the flow has brought is SO important.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. I think this means that you have chosen to live life and when you do that you accept that it won’t always be easy, or pretty, or something you want to do. I think that takes strength, some innate-some learned through experience. Not everyone has the ability to work their way through the tough stuff for lots of reasons. Also, not everyone wants to-I think sometimes it’s a choice.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. This is such a fascinating comment, Deb. I think that you are right that there are lots of reasons that we get stuck. And I love how you put it that we we accept life “you accept that it won’t always be easy, or pretty or something you want to do.” Yes!

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  6. Oh my goodness Wynne. You took me with you on your wild ride and had me on the edge of my seat. What a blessing to be anchored and grounded in faith and spirituality. You certainly have a wonderful way of carrying readers along with you on your journey. Thank you!

    Liked by 2 people

  7. Wynne, thanks for sharing this much-needed reminder of the flow of life: “we go up and over some things and under others.” As I currently struggle in one of life’s undertows, I’m working at staying “centered in the flow.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, Rosaliene, I’m sorry to hear about the undertow. All of this reminds me of one of the best phrases I picked up from author Mark Nepo, “When we stop struggling, we float.” Sending you lots of great energy to keep you centered in the flow. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Sometimes it’s not easy to go with the flow but it is much better than struggling to hang onto that branch while refusing to move. Another insightful post, Wynne. Enjoy the adventure …

    Liked by 2 people

  9. It’s “A Little Bit of Everything”, this life, like the song by Dawes. What an absolute shock that must have been when you got that call from your mom about your dear dad. Another lovely post. I’m glad I found your blog, Wynne.

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    1. I’m going to have to look up that song! Thanks for the suggestion! And I love the name of your blog, Rhonda. I’m going to check it out now. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. It is an awesome song! It made my mom cry when I played it for her. Thanks for the comment about my blog name. It was originally going to be “Subject to Change” and sometimes I think that is the name I should have stuck with. Thanks so much for the follow!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I’m listening to it now. A beautiful song – I can see why it would make your mom cry!

        Subject to change – that’s a good name too! I suppose we don’t have to have just one. Maybe as the flow goes on, that’ll be your next one. 🙂

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  10. That sounds like quite the ride indeed, Wynne. I can’t even imagine the emotional up and down of starting your parenting journey and then receiving the shock news of your fathers passing. I am very sorry.

    It is heartening to hear you’ve taken on a great mindset of go with the flow while finding your Centre during the process. That is the best way forward.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Ab! It certainly was an up and down with my dear dad but at some many points I have felt him so near.

      It is a mindset – and a practice, isn’t it? But somehow it all works and for that, I’m so thankful. Sending you wishes for a great Friday!

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Wow what beautiful thoughts Wynne. It’s funny you should write about change. I just replied to a comment from a reader on my post about change. And I had said, change is very personal. How we choose to evolve is very much up to us. Some stay stuck, “clinging to branches” and you’re quite right it certainly increases the length and perhaps depth of our suffering. Change is hard, like losing your dear dad so suddenly and tragically. Eventually it’s about acceptance. We are freed when we accept. We have choice when it comes to change, we can fight, we can fold, or we can flow. Considering we’re mostly water, flowing seems like the best option. Enjoy the flow. Beautiful post! 💕

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Wow, Alegria – this is a profound comment. I love “We can fight, we can fold or we can flow.” I agree, flowing seems like the best option! Beautifully said – thanks for adding that to my thinking and imagery!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Thank you for sharing!!!.. Change is the law of life and “Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come”. (Author Unknown) and you have the courage to do that, to welcome change while following your heart… you go, Girl!!….. 🙂

    As for me “ I am currently attending the School of Life, learning more about the universe and me… and Graduation Day will be the day of my funeral and it is then I will know if I failed or I succeeded and graduated”… (Larry “Dutch” Woller)… 🙂

    Until we meet again..
    May love and laughter light your days,
    and warm your heart and home.
    May good and faithful friends be yours,
    wherever you may roam.
    May peace and plenty bless your world
    with joy that long endures.
    May all life’s passing seasons
    bring the best to you and yours!
    (Irish Saying)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. What a true affirmation that change is a constant. Thank you for that gift and I love your “School of Life!” Yes – may the learning never end! Sending my appreciation and gratitude for you, Dutch! ❤

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  14. That top photo is phenomenally gorgeous. Sorry about your dad, even now, 7 years later, it can’t be easy. That’s great that your mom moved close! (I mean, I assume so. 😉 ) A great reflection, Wynne. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, my friend. You are right – not easy to lose a beloved parent but I swear there are days I feel him so close that he’s just beyond the veil as he used to call it. And yes, it’s lovely to have my mom near. So many things to celebrate and remember that just writing them down made me feel the flow all over again. Thanks for reading and commenting! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  15. That last sentence is truly one of the keys to living a stress-free life. Please enjoy your spring holiday, as it is always an adventure traveling with little humans.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. I relate to the ongoing struggles and triumphs of life circling Wynne. I remember as a little kid going on a merry-go-round. I felt lost until I could see my mom from any position as I spun around on the horse. Way back then my father told me life would seem like it was spinning in circles sometimes but always look to God for perspective. My dad and mom are gone but they were sure right about keeping a stable perspective beyond ourselves, beyond the vail.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Beautiful image of the carousel, Gary! You are right – look to God for perspective. My dad used to say if our vertical relationship (with God) was in order, our horizontal relationships would follow.

      Thanks for reading and the comment!

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Beautiful Wynne! While each of our lives often flow in similar channels, the small tributaries, challenging rapids and calm pools our individual lives flow over are as unique as the creation God designed each of us to each to be. The Good News . . . regardless of the navigation hurdles we may encounter in life’s flow, He desires each of us to reach our eternal forever destination with Him, and has provided the Navigator . . . Jesus.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Amen, Fred! I love your imagery. And I totally agree, that having a Heavenly navigator is the only way to get through all that we face!! Good to “see” you, my friend!

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