THE WAY AND ITS VIRTUE

(Inspired from Chinese philosophy classic by The Tao Te Ching)

How to find fulfillment in a world that's literally changing as fast as we can

think, or maybe even faster?

Before we find the way let’s try answering a few simple questions:

-         What benefits all things without any #contention (dispute or argument)?

-         What stays #grounded in houses?

-         What is honest in #expression?

-         What stays gentle in #confrontation?

-         What stays out of control in #authority?

-         What in actions aligns to #timing?

-         What is by nature very #contended?

Answer is the #Water

"The supreme goodness is like water. It benefits all things without contention. In dwelling, it stays grounded. In being, it flows to depths. In expression, it is honest. In confrontation, it stays gentle. In governance, it does not control. In action, it aligns to timing. It is content with its nature and therefore cannot be condemned."

The concepts drawn from the philosophy of water applies well to our day-to-day life and by inhabiting them we can find fulfilment in almost everything that we do.

Three lessons from the philosophy of water are

#HUMILITY

(UNPRETENCIOUSNESS – MODEST)

The first lesson is about #humility.

Think of water flowing in a river, it always stays low. It helps all the plants

and animals keeping alive. It doesn't actually draw any attention to itself,

nor does it need any reward or recognition. It is humble. But without water

life may not exist.

From Water's humility we can learn a few important things:

a.      Instead of acting like we know what we are doing or we have all the answers, it's

perfectly OK to admit "We don't know. We want to learn more, and we need others to help."

b.      Instead of promoting self-glory and success, it is so much more satisfying to promote

the success and glory of others.

c.      Instead of doing things that can get us ahead, it is much more fulfilling and

meaningful to help others overcome their trials and challenges so they succeed.

Humility gives water its power and it gives us the capacity to remain grounded, to be in the moment (present), to learn from and be transformed by the people around us.

#HARMONY (SYNCHRONIZED – IN ACCORD)

The second lesson is about #harmony.

Think of water flowing towards a rock, it just flows around it. It doesn't get upset,

it doesn't get angry, and it doesn't get agitated. It doesn't feel much at all.

When faced with an obstacle, somehow water finds a solution, without force,

without conflict.

From Water's harmony we can learn a few important things:

a.      Instead of working in harmony with our environment, we work against it. We force things to change because we need to succeed and prove ourselves.

b.      Instead of focusing to achieve more success try to focus on achieving more harmony,

c.      Instead of focusing who we are supposed to be or expected to pay attention to who we

are. Stop fighting with yourself. Learn to work with your environment willingly.

d.      Instead of focusing on things that we cannot control, focus on things that are in our

control

e.      Find a greater sense of fulfillment by shifting focus from achieving more to harmonizing more

#OPENNESS (CHANGE – CANDIDNESS)

The third lesson is about #openness.

Depending on the temperature, water can be a liquid, solid or gas. Depending on

the medium water is in, it can be a teapot, a cup or a flower vase. Water has

the remarkable ability to adapt and change and remain flexible.

From Water's openness we can learn a few important things:

Instead of continuing to be paralyzed by self-limiting beliefs, learn to open up and

enjoy the experiences of life.

So humility, harmony, and openness. The three lessons that we can learn from the

philosophy of water are humility, harmony, and openness. They can be abbreviated to

H-H-O or H2O.

Make these learning the guiding principles of your life and whenever stressed, unfulfilled, anxious simply ask the question: What would water do?

Thank You