What do time and rivers have in common?

Flow is what time and rivers have in common.

Flow has such a smooth and attractive sound, doesn’t it? It’s always there and it’s something you relax into. You can count on the flow.

When you let go and relax, the flow will carry you.

So why do we struggle so much with flow, especially when it comes to time?

The flow cannot be forced.

The following passage from the Talmud is one that has always fascinated me.

Who obliges time is delayed by time; Whoever gives in to time finds time on his side.

I find this passage particularly interesting given the emphasis on efficiency and productivity in our 24/7 world, always connected and always busy.

So what do you think of that?

On the one hand, I would say that this snippet clarifies the power dynamic between time and humanity. It does not matter that U.S do, time flows. Fighting him doesn’t really offer hope of success.

Looking at the river

If you think of time as a river, the metaphor of the Talmud is clearer. A river is a constant and powerful force. The current is barely noticeable most days, but it is there, moving all the time.

And trying to back up against a river is useless. The flow of the river water just carries everything with it.

The same thing happens with time.

Time and the river

Living in time, we are always in that flow. You cannot deny or escape that fact.

The clock is ticking, the pages of the calendar go by, time is constantly moving. And that flow will carry us if we relax and let it.

But what if we don’t want to be charged?

Fighting the flow …

Have you ever tried to stand up and balance in a river that rises on top of a flood? Your feet slip as the flood pushes your body back with all the power and weight of the river.

You may be able to put up with yours momentarily, but eventually, inevitably, the effort will wear you out and drag you down, seemingly even faster than before.

Time and the river: these are not things you can force.

Going with the flow …

In the meantime, imagine yourself floating in a tube downstream on a warm, sunny summer afternoon. The water moves slowly and you move with it, enjoying the scenery.

What a different feeling. Instead of fighting the river, you use its power and let it carry you effortlessly.

Does this metaphor sound familiar to you? Try not to fight time today.

So, try not to fight the weather today. Let it take you, while planning your day, prioritize, choose the time and appreciate every moment.

Let’s explore time together …