Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Floating

I've been thinking a lot, about lots of different things. No big surprise coming from me.

The emotional and mental process of moving from last year to this year is huge. Much more so than other years. There seems to be so much to look back at, mull over, process and sort. The fact that I am cleaning out my house is more fitting than you can possibly imagine. It's happening on every level of my being.

If I was to pick a single word to describe 2008 it would be "STRUGGLE". Everything about last year was a struggle. Work, health, career, relationships, exercise, food, family. You name it, I struggled with it. And I did it with every bit of me that I had to give. Sometimes I'm amazed that I'm still standing.

Over the last few days I've really been reflecting on this. An analogy of drowning comes to mind. Don't they say that when people are drowning it's often the fight to stay above water that completely exhausts them. It's an instinctual thing isn't it? Trying to take control of a situation, struggling to make things better, to survive. It becomes a core part of your being. If you stop struggling you think you'll go under.

On the other hand don't they say that if you actually let go and relax that you'll float? That the struggle will end and calmness will return? I don't know if it's true but it's something that I'm really pondering as I continue my clean out and open my heart to the new year. How to let go and let the universe carry me. How to let go and FLOAT.

16 comments:

  1. What a great thought provoking post. I learned how to just float a few years ago. I have to just remember that some things are out of my control, and lots of things are just not important enough to worry about.
    It's definitely a struggle and it takes lots of practice but I'm sure you can do it. 2009 will be much brighter!

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  2. A lovely post and one that really resonates for me because it's how I feel about 2008. It seems I'm gearing up for a repeat year but I'll give what you're talking about some thought - maybe I can find a way to float.

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  3. ...yes..and it's often only in retrospect that we think my god how did i ever do it...but we do...but then with moments of reflection like you're having there is no way that you'll be struggling as hard as you did then...yes you might have moments of 'drowning' but you won't struggle so much...won't sink...will even have extended periods of 'floating'...

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  4. I hope you reach your floating place, sounds like you deserve it!

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  5. How wonderful to find the confidence and trust in yourself to move from treading water to floating. A liberating feeling. May you float in all the right directions!

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  6. I was thinking the same thing the other day. And to use a swimming analogy, I found that when I breathed OUT as well as breathed in I was so much more relaxed and enjoyed it more.

    Kinda like my life lately!

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  7. That's a good analogy. I was a type A personality. No floating for me. I had to be in charge or I panicked. Now, not so much. I've learned to let go and realize that control is often a illusion. I "go with the flow" and float and life is easier and I'm less stressed and much, much happier.

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  8. May 2009 be summed up with the words blessed and happiness.

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  9. That's the theory. Take a deep breath, and relax. Float and let the tide guide you.

    Hope 2009 is much kinder to you :)

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  10. That was me a few years ago, everything was turning on me. I just kept telling myself I wouldn't be given anything that I handle, it gave me the strength I needed to keep going. Now life is so god again.

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  11. Easier said that done but a fantastic goal. Good Luck.
    I have nominated you for a blog award. Come and have a look. Lou.

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  12. Oh yes ....

    When the world says, "Give up", Hope whispers, "Try it one more time...".

    I hope you have a wonderful year in 2009.

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  13. That's what you're advised to do when you get caught in a rip at sea too - just float with it. (Easier said than done when the rip is taking you far, far out to sea...)
    I'm trying the same thing right now - to just go with the flow :)
    Hope 2009 is kinder to us both.
    I know, why don't you float up to Byron Cathy?!!! That would work :)
    So extra lovely to have met you the other day. Thanks for organising that.
    xo
    Megan

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  14. I have this thing about trying hard, about always making an effort, and I realised a year or so back that it was wearing me out and I didn't seem to be getting far. So now I don't try so hard, and let things go a bit and test whether the things I think will happen, do happen, or whether something else might. It's usually something else, usually better, more positive. I'm completely with you on the therapeutic house clean out too. I think this will be a great year for you!

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  15. Sounds like 08 was a crazy year for you. Someone once said to me "time heals all wounds" and ever since I've been able to float through things because I know no matter how long it takes I'll come out the other end ok. The ups and downs are all part of living and feeling alive.

    Wishing you the best for 09, although I have to say with the launch of Tinniegirl I think you're doing a tremendous job, it's such a fabulous and unique business concept and well worth the risk and hard work.

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  16. No words seem to come. But floating sounds perfect. Yes. Let go and float!

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