Dead Fish

"...and always remember my child...only dead fish go with the flow."  This is from one of my favorite greeting cards by Great Cosmic Happy Ass - a staple at the Higher Self Bookstore.  For many years now I have differentiated the phrases "Be in the flow" and "Go with the flow."  The dead fish statement is maybe a little strong (but it is funny), but makes the point that sometimes just going with the flow allows for non-action, non-commitment, and non-focus.  I'm not saying that I don't step into that river from time to time, but the intention I hold is to BE IN the flow.

Abraham (channeled by Ester Hicks) explains the difference, and adds that trying to paddle upstream, against the flow (of the Universe) will not bring to you what it is you truly want.  As I understand it, as I focus on what I want, be clear on what I want, the Universe will start the flow of what it is I say I want to me.  Yes, action is often required and as I am in the flow, the action required will be clear to me.

Sometimes being in the flow takes me gently, easily to my desires.  And then, there are those days where I feel like I am continuously bouncing into boulders!  Depending on my issue, there may be days and days, weeks, months even, when I keep crashing into boulders or skinning my knees on hidden rocks or just getting stuck.  Funny how many of these boulders look exactly alike.  Who the heck put all these obstacles in my way?  Why are they trying to sabotage my flow to my desires?

'Tis I, I know - it would be so much easier to blame someone else, though.  So I ask the boulder, "Hey, Boulder!  Just what is it you want me to get?  What is the lesson here?  Don't be making me try to paddle upstream!"  The boulder often doesn't answer.  So I push myself around it and, lo and behold!  There it is again!

There are no shortcuts.  The limitations I have put in front of me can only be removed by me.  I can ask for help, and I do, except when I don't.  Hey, maybe I like the colors of black and blue! Beating myself up only keeps me down, so I do the work.  We all have to do the work, eventually, I mean - isn't that why we are all here?  To remember who we are and create!

Don't be a dead fish.  That's my advice.  Me?  I'm gonna ride me some rapids!

Integrity and Following the Rules

Rules were created to establish order, am I right? Without rules - chaos! If a rule, or law, no longer supports order then steps should be taken to change or cancel it. However, until that is established, the rule should still be followed. You know, status quo and all that.

I have a confession to make - I'm a rule follower. At the same time, I'm the first one to declare, "Challenge Authority!" I have not been practicing what I preach, and I am waking up to the fact that the rules are just not keeping up with the fast-paced changes that are occurring.

Somehow, I had incorporated "following the rules" into my interpretation of integrity, and a woman of integrity is who I have chosen to "Be." By this, what I mean is, I stand by my word. If I say it, I will do it. My word is my bond, you can count on me. Over the years, I have been more careful with my "word" and this practice has resulted in more balance in my life, not over committing my time, etc.

Of course, there have been times when I had to change my priorities and change my word. As an example, just in the last 24 hours, I agonized about traveling home today as I had said I would. A blizzard has just passed through this region and it is still snowing. I know I could get on the road and make it back to Traverse City, Michigan, today - driving slowly, and carefully, and watchfully of other drivers on the snow-covered, icy-in-places, I-75 North. Tomorrow it will be sunny. One would think this would be an easy decision, but for me it was not.

I recognize that I have become attached to this identity, a woman of integrity. I follow the rules, even to the detriment of my well-being, the well-being of my family, and of my business. Some of the agreements I entered into years ago did not take into account the changes that have occurred, neither by me or the authority I gave my power away to. The authority (the companies and people I gave my word to, either verbal or under contract) insist I keep my word. What to do?

First, I detach from the unfair limitation I placed on myself - the strictly defined and restricting label of integrity = rule follower. Second, I will assess what the truth is. What was true then is not always true today, so I will not proceed blindly into this is the way it's always been done so do your duty or else. Third, I willingly step out of the box (in this case the box is about always following the rules) and see just what can be done for the highest good of all with harm to none (which includes me!)

It amazes me that it always come down to the same lesson no matter the challenge, the issue, or the situation: Notice, awaken, detach (let go), step out of the box, and let the how show up as I take action.

It's okay to change my rules when the game has changed. It's okay to keep my word and I will, and I will allow for amendments and addendums - for the highest good of all (me included).