Calm in the Chaos - Tips for a Better Life
Going with the Flow... Is Hard for Me Sometimes
I fully realize that we don't control most things that happen in life. I don't delude myself. But I still have a hard time letting go of my plans. Here's one example, and I'm proud of myself for going with the flow without too much anxiety!
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by Jamie Spannhake
June 03, 2021
I like to plan. I like it when things go the way I plan. Unfortunately, life doesn't really work that way. It's a lesson that I learn repeatedly. As an attorney who suffers from clinical anxiety, I like to control as much as I can. Even though I am fully aware that we control very little in life. Still, it's a struggle sometimes. I've always wanted to be that happy-go-lucky go-with-the-flow person, and sometimes I am.
My daughter and I traveled to Niagara Falls this past weekend. After 3 hours of sightseeing, she decided she was tired and wanted to go back to the hotel room. It was only 12:00! What?! I had lots more plans for our day. We were going on Maid of the Mist. We were going to the Observation Tower. We were going to dinner!
After unsuccessfully trying to talk her out of her fatigue (that never works; why do I try?!), we headed to the car. During the drive to the hotel, we came across about 40 goslings at various stages of development. Some with only fuzz; some with fuzz and feathers; some with mostly feathers. We pulled over and spent nearly an hour sitting with them and watching them. It was so great!
Once again, my daughter is my teacher. She listened to her body. It told her she was tired. She wanted to sit. Thankfully, I listened too. And we had a wonderful day, and we were happy.
The next day, the sun was shining, it was warm (unlike the day before). In other words, it was the perfect day for a boat ride into the mist of Niagara Falls.
Sometimes the best things happen when we stop trying to control life.
Are you ready...?
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