Flowing Water; Finding Zen

The water flows to the left and it has my attention. I've just launched my kayak in a new lake. The main lake is to the right, and there seems to be a smaller, quieter area of the lake to the left. It's what you would call the backwaters. Growing up on the backwaters, I've always found them to be peaceful. Let's check it out. 

Gliding, paddling, gliding, my dog and I are slowly approaching to the left. There is a sound of running water. Seriously, what can that be? Are there people in the distance? Lily pads to the slight right so I can't go that way. Straight ahead it looks like the ending of the backwaters. We keep going towards the channel. The bridge up top with a busy roadway, and there is a small channel that goes under the bridge. No way! My boat is the perfect size. "Addie, let's go!" 

Paddling, getting stuck, pushing with the paddle on the bottom of the channel, back to paddling, darkness in the tunnel, looking up with the rumbling of the cars, I use my hands to basically push us off the walls of the  bridge to get us out of there. Deeper water. Back to using the paddle. Clearing. "You have got to be kidding me? It's gorgeous! It's another lake! There's another lake attached to the lake I originally came to? It's so peaceful, and private, and beautiful." Wait, the golf course to the right of the main road and the restaurant to the left of the main road, I know this area, as I was looking back from where we came from. This is where we used to pass by when driving back and forth with Grandma and Grandpa. I always wondered about this lake. "I'm here? I'm actually on this lake!" 

The rest of the day was absolutely perfect. Addie and I explored this entire lake, enjoyed the scenery and the beautiful homes. We stopped to read a book and enjoy a quick lunch, found a back channel that ended this lake, came out of that and rounded around this lake to see an amazing airplane sitting on someone's lakefront property. Clearly someone loves their beach, swimming, and flying planes. Their yellow plane was called "Mo Fishin." Cute. We saw two young teens in a small motorized boat fishing and getting their lures stuck together, an older couple getting ready to go through the bridge area enjoying the sunny day for their boat ride, and we got in line to go back to the area we originally came from. Time to journey through the private channel under the bridge again.

On the other side it looked like it was going to rain. Since it was my first time on this lake, I was bound and determined to complete the exploration of this lake as well. Problem, I really have to go to the bathroom. "Dear Lord, please help me NOT have to go to the bathroom right now." There is no where to go! Addie is cold and wants out of this boat. Ugh! We paddle. My hands are getting blisters. We round the one section. There's another section. And another section. I'm pausing for a minute. Ok, what do I do? I really have to go to the bathroom. The giant, raindrop, sprinkles are starting to fall now. There is ANOTHER section of the lake; you have got to be kidding me! It is decided; I dash straight across the lake to make it back to the parking lot; twenty minutes. Bathroom there. Load up the kayak and the dog. Cops are keeping everyone safe. And the storm begins. We made it. Addie and I made it just as the storm hit hard. "Let's go home dog."

The peacefulness of being on the water was much needed. There has been so much stress going on. Too much work. Too much of being in the office. To step away is so incredibly important, and today was the day. No cleaning house, or worrying about seeing family members, or this or that, just me, the open air, fresh water, and connecting with nature. There is something special about connecting with nature and becoming grounded. Nature can be calming/soothing. Grounding helps you feel more centered/more in-the-moment. That's what today was all about.

What's funny, it reminds me when I was a little girl and my mom, dad, and I used to go on Fisher Lake to fish and swim. Dad would take us swimming in the middle of the lake. Or we would go tubing. I think I was five years old. We went tubing. We had a 19 ft speed boat and a giant, hot pink, covered inner tube I used to sit on top of. We would fly across the water. Apparently, I didn't even know how to swim. The waterbaby that I am, I was determined to go tubing because my daddy said it would be fun. Hehehee. We went tubing, I flew sideways. I fell off, and I wouldn't let go. I held on for dear life. Apparently, I was dragged underwater for quite awhile too. That's when mom taught sign signals and how to let go quickly after that. The fear, the fun, the laughter, let's go again. Connecting with nature, the water, the sunburns, the fish dinners, and the best sleep of your life. It makes you understand the value of family, cherished moments, peace, understanding yourself, and looking beyond what is just in front of you (or in your mind) and what is around you.

Our world is so vast and large. The day-to-day can get to us and make us believe we are the only ones with problems or that we are the only few struggling with real problems. When we reach out and work together with family/friends/neighbors, we suddenly see that we can come together as a community. Communities can lift each other up and make things better. Because we are better together: love, kindness, compassion, advocacy, and empathy go a long way and show we are stronger as one! Do you have memories that make you feel stronger and happier because you helped someone? Are there memories where you feel connected with nature and could suddenly see clearer about life and important decisions? 

The power of zen! If you haven't tried it, you really should. It will change your life for the better. Truly.