The Wisdom of the River : Lessons Learned
Over the past few years I have watched the popularity of
whitewater rafting grip the vacation market. "Strange", I
thought. "Why would floating down a river become such a hotly
contested vacation destination?" Today, I understand this
phenomena completely. There is a wisdom and lesson that only the
river can teach. It is a lesson that I intend to learn as often
as possible.
Whitewater rafting has become one of America's favorite
recreational activities for many reasons. There are several
theories on this but I think the majority of them miss the mark.
The fans argue that what makes the whitewater experience so
compelling, so satisfying, and so incredibly exhilarating is
that it is REAL! This primal adventure is beyond comparison.
"This ain't your daddy's video game adventure!"
Although I consider this to be partially true. I believe that
the reason that whitewater rafting has become so popular is
because it teaches everyone who travels the river the most
important spiritual lesson we could ever learn. All students
understand the lesson while they are on the river but often
forget it when they return to civilization.
On the river, all you have is the "now." That is the ultimate
high and profound lesson that the river teaches. The past and
the future are of no value when you are amidst the challenge of
navigating the whitewater rapids. What happened upstream or what
might happen downstream are of no consequence while you become
completely absorbed in the joy of the present.
NOW. It is all that there is. The river drives this message home
with tremendous clarity and excitement.
Stop and think of how different life would be for you if you
could apply this simple wisdom to your life. I often sit
incredulously when I realize how I have let past upsets disrupt
my peace of mind. That can't happen on the river!
On the river the distinctions of past, present and future become
amazingly clear. Very simply you recognize that the wake that is
left behind does not navigate the raft. Likewise the future is
uninteresting when compared to the exhiliaration of being
totally 100% in the here and "now."
The metaphor is quite profound.
Over the years I have watched tourists navigate the rapids and
it never ceases to amaze me! When you watch a group of
vacationers all get "the NOW" message together the exhiliaration
is beyond comparison as they leave the past behind and partake
in the challenge of the moment. The excitement and enthusiasm is
contagious and a wonder to behold.
Likewise, I often wonder how these vacationers return to their
lives and if they remember the message they learned on the
river?
NOW.
Every time I feel the need to make excuses I remember the
lessons that I have learned on the river.
NOW.
Guess where I am headed for my next vacation?
All aboard!
NOW.
Be careful what you agree with.