Managing the Ebb and Flow of Life

American writer and mystic, Thomas Merton once said, “We cannot be happy if we expect to live all the time at the highest peak of intensity. Happiness is not a matter of intensity, but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony.” 

This speaks to the ebb and flow of life.

Humans aren’t machines. We don’t have a constant source of power from which we draw upon – to perform complicated functions all the time without breaks.

Rather, our power supplies (our energy and emotional levels) dip and rise with each hour of the day – and even wax and wane on a much larger level. We either find ourselves in periods of great motivation and energy – or in periods where we just want to do what we need to do in order to survive – and nothing more.

As creative visionaries and spiritual artists, we’re accustomed to changing direction at any given moment. Many times we’re okay with it – and we just “go with the flow.”

But there are other times when we feel the resistance kicking in, muttering under our breath, “Not again – not this time.”

When we refuse to listen to our cycles of high and low emotional energy, we make things worse, not better. If our energy and emotional levels are off balance, we may find ourselves falling off track as our inner voice cries out for pause.

When this happens, we need to listen – and go with the flow. If we feel a need to stop, we should stop. It may be the universe’s way of telling us we need a breather.

It’s important to manage the ebb and flow of energy, emotion, and motivation – both on a daily basis and a long-term basis. When we manage these cycles, rather than ignore them, we are far more productive. But more importantly, we’re happier, too.

In astrology, the moon rules our emotional being. And in science, it has often been said that the moon plays a key role in the ebb and flow of the ocean and in the cycles of nature.

So how do our emotions affect the ebb and flow in our lives? And how can we manage the two so that they work together in a positive way?

As we go through the ebb and flow of life, it’s important for us to reach a point of acceptance for “what is” – while holding on to our bigger vision. This is where the art of surrender plays a big role.

Once we connect with ourselves emotionally – and understand how we may react to any given situation, we can respond accordingly and with great accuracy.

Imagine yourself taking an evening swim in the ocean. The light of the moon is reflecting on each wave as you float along with “what is.”

Relax and take in several deep breaths, pondering the ebb and flow of your life as it is right now.

When something around you is out of your control, how do you naturally respond?

And when something is within your control, how do you naturally respond?

Ponder these questions in your journal – and allow yourself to notice your own emotional patterns.

If you’d like to explore this deeper with the support of a wisdom guide, I invite you to join me for a New Moon Discovery session – where we can examine your current emotional patterns and make a few key adjustments that will make all the difference in your emotional balance.

For more information about this rich and thought-provoking experience, please click on the blue link above.