embracing the flow and living like rivers in a world obsessed with bucket lists can transform how we perceive our overflowing lives. Oliver Burkeman introduces us to a metaphor that is not only beautiful but incredibly powerful. It’s about seeing life’s endless possibilities not as a daunting checklist but as a serene river, constantly flowing with opportunities.
imagine standing by a riverbank, watching the water gently flow by. Every ripple represents a new adventure, a book unread, a place unvisited, a project untouched. this imagery gives us the freedom to choose what we interact with, without the overwhelming pressure of ticking off every item on an endless list.
the concept struck a chord with me. my inbox, much like yours, perhaps, often feels like a bucket overflowing with unattended emails. but when we apply the river metaphor, we realize the importance of attending to what truly matters, letting the rest simply flow by. this mindset extends beyond our digital lives. Growing up, I meticulously sorted through photos from trips, keeping only the best. however, adopting a river-like perspective, where we focus on cherishing the moments we love rather than discarding the ones we don’t, was a game-changer.
of course, professional commitments might require a more bucket-like approach. yet, in our personal lives, the freedom of choosing from the river, of engaging with what truly resonates at the moment, can be liberating.
so, let’s not chastise ourselves for not keeping pace with every whim and fancy. the beauty of living like rivers is in recognizing that life is abundant. there will always be more to see, do, and explore. It’s about making peace with the flow, engaging with what enriches us, and letting the rest drift by.
in this river, every choice is ours to make, and there’s solace in knowing that the stream is endless. It’s about living fluidly, embracing change, and enjoying the journey, one ripple at a time.
source article | Sketchplanations
0 Comments