I’m committing myself to finding the flow.

This is a follow up to my post about the power of kindness. While that gift gave me a boost to get things rolling, I realized a deeper intention for me is wanting to merge my life with spirit. To live in grace and flow from living for something greater than myself. Union and flow seem to be the key to making this shift, along with surrender and letting go.
I’ve experienced brief moments and some periods of flow in my life, but not consistently. Then I give up and go back to my routine life full of struggle and disconnection. I want more flow and am willing to do the work to build more flow in my life. I’ve met some people who are masterful at flow, surrendering to something bigger, and finding a sense of ease and grace by working with life. Too many of us struggle at life, trying to impose our will on life, when in reality, life is in control. This is a tough pill for many of us to swallow. I’ve been circling around this paradox for over 30 years. I admire people who can simply surrender, trust, and flow. I get way too mental about the whole process and all of life for that matter.
Flow is about learning to live from the heart with whole body awareness. Then we are no longer a separate aspect from life trying to control things, but rather an open vessel allowing life to flow through us.
Here are my three steps to finding flow: BTW, I totally made all of this up, so we shall see whether it works. It seemed to come from a sense of connection and listening, so here goes!
1- Centering. Get quiet and still. Meditate, rest, relax, and open yourself. Sit until you feel a sense of peace and union with something bigger than yourself.
2- Merging. Lean into that union with life, god, or nature. Revel in the sense of union and connection. Sometimes this is instant, sometimes it requires getting our mind and ego out of the way to make room for flow. Feel the sense of alignment, connection, and peace that come from union. This is the merging step.
3- Acting. Act on the messages received while in union. This builds trust and flow, being mindful to stay open and heart centered. Without trying to figure anything out, just act, move, and flow.
Now, you’re in flow. Keep it going as long as you can. Don’t expect flow to be continual, but do continually pause, connect, listen, and act.
Thank you for sharing this. Indeed it is often that we are trying to impose our will on life. The steps seem simple and we nees to practice it over and over to find the flow by itself.
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You’re most welcome Indah. I need a lot of practice!
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Beautiful post Brad. I agree with you about the need to let go, surrender and trust. I also know itโs not always easy but a lifelong pursuit. I wish you well my friend. Big hugs xx
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Thank you Miriam. Yes, it’s a lifetime process which I want to make more conscious. Hugs on the rebound!
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Aww, thanks. ๐
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๐
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love you! โค
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Thank you Tania! ๐ I hope you and Dave are safe. ๐
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HI Brad,
This post is so good, and what I need to do.
I am going to come back to it, again and again.
Thank you and blessings! โฅโฅ
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I’m glad you enjoyed it Ana. Maybe we both will practice flowing more. ๐งก
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I like your formulation and guidelines, Brad. Here’s to a healthy balance of “form” and “flow” in our lives! Those are the words a voice teacher once used to explain how it can be very useful to prepare diligently for a performance by practicing, memorizing, planning, rehearsing, etc. (i.e. form) so that one can then confidently surrender to whatever happens during the actual performance, such as a music stand falling over, power going out, encountering a heckler in the audience, a fellow musician forgetting to return to a certain section of a song after a solo, etc. (i.e. flow).
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Thank you Will. That sounds like a good combo to be prepared ahead and flow in the moment.
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Great advice and inspirations Brad ๐๐๐
Now let yourself go in to this space. The key is to let go of thinking and any sense of trying to be. This is the thinking mind/ego at work. Take a moment to pause. Breathe. Relax into your deepest sense of being.
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Thank you for the tips Val. I’m pretty good at doing what you suggest for a moment or in nature, but still not great at flowing when it comes to making decisions and daily life.
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The mind takes over with its analysis and needing to be in charge. Spend more time in letting go and appreciating the moment. This is the gateway so decisions evolve rather than need to be made by ego mind ๐
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Thank you. ๐
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HI Brad, there are definitely many things we can’t control in our lives and it is pointless to rail against them. We can’t control illness, pandemics, governments decisions, and death. We can control our own input into these things. We can do our best to help by wearing a mask, reducing our consumption, etc. Finding flow is a peaceable thing to do. I go there years ago when I realised I could do nothing about my sons chronic illnesses except accept them and treat as best I can with the aid of modern medicine. I also realised that many people have it much worse than me.
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Great attitude Robbie. I’m sorry to hear about your son’s health. It seems you’ve gained wisdom and acceptance. Kudos.
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Very good advice, Brad. My meditation practice is progressing. Merging with nature flows easily for me. It’s the surrendering and letting go that still needs work. Thank you for this lovely reminder. ๐
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Thank you Natalie. I’m grateful you find value in my suggestions. I’m right with you on the surrendering part! Kudos on your meditation practice.
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Thank you so much for this rejuvenating and motivating post, Brad. To go with the flow of life and to follow the three steps that you have so nicely said is what we really want and need to do for a peaceful and happy life and this we can achieve once we surrender to the Spirit.
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You’re most welcome Kamal. I like your summary to surrender to spirit, and flow into a peaceful life. ๐
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Thanks and once we surrender to the spirit then it will surely flow peacefully in us. Take care and stay blessed โค๏ธ๐๐๐๐๐
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The best advice comes from within the self. I believe that times of disconnection and despair are part of merging with the flow. You learn how to navigate them and they become less intense with practice. At least this is my experience.
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Great perspective! Thanks Julie. ๐
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Beautiful photos, Brad! A wonderful phrase and mission โmerge my life with spirit.โ Flow reminds me of acceptance. I remind myself of this concept almost daily. It fits in with your word โsurrender.โ You bring up three great categories. I also believe it is a life-long process. Thank you for sharing a thought-provoking post.
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Thank you Erica. I’m glad my post resonates with you. Yes, it’s a lifetime process. I just wish I was better at flowing with life while steering the boat in meaningful ways!
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Beautifully composed.
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Thank you Kally.
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This is beautiful Brad; there is freedom in letting go. I particularly loved this line… ‘finding a sense of ease and grace by working with life”
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Thank you Bree. Now we’ll see if I can live up to that good intention.
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I can relate to getting too mental, so the flow feels wonderful when I rememeber to go there. Your steps make sense. It seems that the older we get, the more we move (slowly at times) toward acceptance. Flow on, Brad!
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Thanks JoAnna. Yes, it’s a long, slow process for some of us. Others seem to go there with ease.
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A beautiful and inspiring post, Brad. โจ It is definitely a process, but so worth the effort. Best wishes on your journey of connection. ๐ง๐ผโโ๏ธ
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Isn’t it funny how hard it is to let go and be. It is a paradox, Brad. I love your steps; they’re great for getting out of your head. And I hope you find a way to flow within a supportive community. I’m glad you have some people in your life who are good at that. Beautiful photo too. What a place to be present.
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Thank you Diana. The support comes mostly from WordPress these days. I don’t have much in person interaction the last few years, partly from the pandemic and partly from becoming a recluse.
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Well, we’re here for you, Brad. Perhaps when this pandemic is over you can find a wonderful yoga class. ๐
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Thanks, yoga isn’t my jam. ๐
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Lol. I know you’ll find your flow, my friend. โค
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I love your thoughts of flow Brad and do believe you are on a great track! ๐โฃ๏ธโฃ๏ธ
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Thank you Cindy. Hopefully, I stay committed and take action. ๐
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You’re so welcome Brad. I find just thinking one day at a time helps a lot and then do it again the next… and the next… till you get in the swing of it. Do you like tai chi?
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A day at a time and small steps make sense. It’s a matter of taking action for me. I haven’t tried tai chi but it seems interesting.
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for sure.. it does work for me and a lot of people I know. I like it because not only is it meditative but learning a “dance” too. Qui Gong is easier with the same benefits which is just the same move done a bout 10-20 times.. not a dance… both are centering a grounding. I LOVE Terry Dunn. I pop in on his online classes Sat and Sun sometime but you will find some short snippets if you google him. He has amazing energy. ๐
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Thank you for the tips.
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You’re so welcome Brad.. Have a great day. ๐
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You as well Cindy.
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I couldn’t have said it better than Kamal! Daily prayer and meditation where you truly let go to feel the spirit. Makes all the difference!! My best to you!!
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Thank you Kirt. I’m glad you have that faith and flow in your life. ๐
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Seems like a good recipe to me, Brad! I’ve been wrangling with the same paradox for many years as well. It seems when we can separate our longing for the way we wish things to be from how they really are…well…that is when we can get down to the business of changing the things we can change…like our MINDS! Here’s to being in the moments and connecting to the Magnificence of Creation!!
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Thanks Lorrie. Finding flow is elusive for me but feels good when I’m in the groove! To flow and connecting….๐งก
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Amen to the flow!! We certainly KNOW when we are in it!! ๐
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Thank you for this beauty โก
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Thanks. I’m glad you found this useful.
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๐ค๐ฝ
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A beautiful post!!
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Thank you and welcome Kaushal.
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The connecting and reconnecting, my desire. Thanks for your flowing words.
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Thank you Cheryl. I’m glad you can relate. Welcome, Brad
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I loved and appreciated this post – it affirms my own process and journey of arriving at understanding this. I was in awe of those who could surrender with such natural ease. It was revolutionary for me to realize and accept I have no control over much of life and yet I have the power of influencing my trajectory in the more easeful direction by leaning within and merging with the flow, listening in and following the guidance. It is amazing to operate from that rich nothingness.
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Thank you Prabalbha. I’m grateful you can relate and love your summary! To flowing with ease and grace…
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