There’s a famous quote in the Tao Te Ching about water:

Nothing in the world is as soft and yielding as water. Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible, nothing can surpass it. 

Water is inclusive, it gives wherever it flows.
It’s unconditional.
Water has no obstacles because it flows around them.

In practicing Tai Chi, we learn to flow from one posture to another, having the transition be seamlessly smooth. We are creating a seamless flow between each posture without hard stops. The saying, “Tai Chi is like swimming on dry land,” says it all.

I have been pondering the thought of flowing in my personal life lately because it continues to change. Choosing to notice how I respond to life is interesting. Some days are softer than others. Choosing to observe more and speak less—that’s a challenge. Especially when it comes to family. Choosing not to take on another person’s emotions, and creating healthy boundaries with love for myself—again— I am working on it.

This acronym for flow came to me in a group zoom session I am currently participating in with others around the world, mostly in the UK. The name of the group, is Self Aware Souls. We are simply learning and affirming who we are.

… back to the FLOW acronym

Faith
Faith because it’s different than hope. Faith is very confident in what will be, and hope is saying maybe it will be. For example: I hope I get the job. I have faith I will get the job. Feel the difference?

Love
Divine Love is all there is. Danielle LaPorte, reminds us in her latest book, How to Be Loving, “The call is to keep Love flowing in all directions. I’m hurt … and still, I Love. I feel offended … and still, I send you Love. I’m heartbroken, and still, I love. Divine Love is unbreakable.”

Open-hearted
Our hearts always choose to focus on what’s working. So, when I find myself having comparing or judging thoughts, I know I am not open to my heart. I am working on choosing to be more reflective, receptive and responsive.

Wisdom
True wisdom comes from our heart. When we are reacting with our “so called” knowledge without our hearts, that’s simply an ego trip. Wisdom is like water, where it includes everyone. Wisdom comes from loving kindness and builds bridges. United we stand. Divided we fall.

As we have have entered the year of the Yin Water Rabbit, may we all flow with ease and grace with whatever is present. May we remember to have Faith, Love, be Open-hearted and reflect our inner Wisdom.