By Angi Bair

Rivers flow through the mountains and valleys all around us. Sometimes they move quietly—so smooth and calm you can hardly tell the water’s moving. Other times, they roar—rushing over rocks, plunging down cliffs, carving out powerful, breathtaking waterfalls.

And interestingly enough, those dramatic moments—the most chaotic and disruptive parts of a river—are often the most beautiful. We hike to waterfalls, we seek them out, because there’s something captivating about watching water cascade with force and energy. The thrill, the power, the movement—that’s what draws us in.

Life is no different. The moments that feel most turbulent, most uncomfortable, are often the ones that shape us the most. They become our defining experiences. They’re what make us unique, magnetic, and deeply human. It’s often because of—not in spite of—our struggles that people are drawn to us.

If you follow a river, you’ll find a rhythm. Sometimes it winds gently, other times it crashes and swirls, and then it slows again into peaceful pools. The water never stays in one place too long—it moves, rests, regroups, and then flows forward.

We follow the same pattern. We have seasons of peace where life feels gentle and easy. Then there are twists, turns, and sometimes steep drops. We hit moments of rapid change or challenge, but they bring clarity, growth, and strength. And eventually, we find ourselves in calm waters again—reflecting, healing, and preparing for what’s next.

Life has a rhythm—like our breath, like our heartbeat, like the cycles of day and night, or childhood and adulthood. When we begin to recognize that rhythm, we stop resisting it. We can paddle when it’s time to paddle, float when it’s time to rest, and hang on when the rapids hit—trusting that calmer waters will come.

So if you’re working hard, know that rest is ahead. If you’re resting, soak it in and be grateful. And if you’re barely hanging on—white knuckled through the drop—remember: every waterfall ends in a pool of stillness. It will come.

So stop trying to paddle upstream. Stop bracing for the whole journey. Go with the flow. Trust the river. Embrace the thrill of the waterfall. And when you get there—bask in the tranquility.

_________________

•   To discover how to start choosing more effectively now, read The Jackrabbit Factor (FREE!)  
•   If you want more step-by-step guidance on creating the life you really want, join me in the Mindset Mastery program.
•   If you want my help overcoming that giant obstacle right in front of you, learn more and sign up for Genius Bootcamp.