Ways To Cross Life's Floods

"How, dear sir, did you cross the flood?"
"By not halting, friend, and by not straining I crossed the flood."
"But how is it, dear sir, that by not halting and by not straining
      you crossed the flood?"
"When I came to a standstill, friend, then I sank, but when I
      struggled, then I got swept away. It is in this way, friend, that
      by not halting and by not straining I crossed the flood."

                                           Buddha, In The Connected Discourses of the Buddha

In this Buddhism reflection, the flood is a metaphor for adversity, problems and difficult times.

By not halting and by not straining, we are able to 'cross the flood.'

Bringing this message into your life means staying calm, steady, and prepared for the challenges that often come our way. This is the way out of troubled waters. Absolutely.

No matter what happens in your life, you don't have to drown or be swept away.

Ways to cross life's floods, big and small:

Face the truth of your reality. See what's in front of you. Keep looking straight ahead. Don't stop and give up. Stay engaged, focused, and keep moving. Be prepared to adapt to current conditions. Don't resist nor struggle with what is; instead seek to understand and the insights will come. Don't just wait for things to happen, but at the same time, don't force anything. Go with the flow. Keep your mind working in your favor. Keep your sights on progress, not perfection. Don't get stuck on anything or anyone. Stay in the present and move with it. Aim for clarity and calmness. Be patient, consistent, and committed. Keep your wits about you. Above all, remember going through something is how we grow from it.

None of this is easy. It takes work and practice, but we can do it.

Thank you for reading!