Going with the flow
Nature has a lot to teach us about how we approach life and its ups and downs. On a recent family adventure, I learnt to face rapids head on, with a laugh and a lunge!
Last weekend Anton, I and our boys joined with a crew of family and friends to canoe for 3 days down the Whanganui River.
There was 14 of us altogether - eight adults and six kids ranging from 5yrs to 12 yrs. We had six canoes, countless water-proof barrels, sets of warm merinos and bags of yummy treats. Once on the river there is no cell phone reception or access roads for three days - we were heading into the wild!
I booked the trip last year, well before my cancer diagnosis and, for a few beats, as the weekend approached, I did reconsider going. I wondered if it was more risky than worth it, particularly given the following week I was scheduled for an appointment with my specialist about treatment options. What about risk of fatigue, infection, letting the crew down. But with some gentle encouragement from my husband about living fully while I am alive, I put the niggling doubts aside and decided to embrace the journey.
And what a journey we had... there was plenty of deep calm gorgeous gorges where still water had us paddling gently forward, there was also plenty of fast water where we dashed past stunning scenery, and then there were the rapids. Fast and furious, wild rides. Where you had to fully commit and let the rivers force take you and hope for the best. There were whirlpools and backwash eddies. Waterfalls, caves, beaches. Magnificent, towering ancient forests.
Rafting Up
Near the end of the first day, we rafted up our canoes and drifted together. The steady current carried us forward. Held together by 14 pairs of hands, we all closed our eyes and our mouths and were still; quiet. Listening to the heartbeat of the forest. Trusting. It was such a peaceful moment. Letting go and going with the flow.
Caution Rapids
At the end of the last day, we hit four "caution" rapids in a row. Here, eyes and ears were wide open. Assessing risk, navigating waves, fast decision making. Shouts and whoops as we hit the break waters and were swung wildly by the unpredictable side currents. We learnt, here, just as in the still waters, that there was still a level of letting go and going with the flow. If we tried too hard to avoid the worst looking sections, if we tried to force the canoes, if we tried to get out too early, there was the very real risk of capsize.
Navigating the Journey
As we canoed, as we laughed, splashed, packed & unpacked barrels, dug deep and wonder-shared, I could sense the parallels with life living with cancer. In those still, quiet, calm moments - it's so important to take time to just breathe, lean in for connection with others, hold hands and listen to the heartbeat of life, appreciating the beauty that surrounds us and allowing our spirits to be invigorated by wonder and love.
Equally so, when we hit the inevitable rough waters - holding on too tight, trying to get out too early, avoidance and fear do nothing for our navigation. In fact, a lot of the time when we are stressed and the internal tension escalates, we can increase our risk, adversely impact our health and cause the journey to be harder. Sometimes we end up stuck in an eddy that keeps sucking us back into the wipeout zone. When we face our "rapids" head on, with a laugh and a lunge into the unknown, going with the flow, we are less likely to end up being dragged down and overwhelmed by our circumstances.
Courage, Love and Legacy
I'm so glad we did end up going on our adventure into the remote and remarkable Whanganui river. I'm so glad I was encouraged to face the "risk" head-on and live fully alive. Magic memories were created with my boys, our family and friends. We all came away high on life, thrilled, inspired and joy-filled. And I learnt a bit more about going with the flow. On the river. And in life.
Not everyone wants to canoe for 3 days in a remote corner of the world. But each of us have activities that fill us with joy, love and memories. Doing them may not change your physical diagnosis, but they will lift your spirit, build your resilience and enable you too to face the more challenging sections on the journey. So I'd encourage you today to get out and do the things that brings life to your world. Live fully alive. Today.