topic: [[Changing]] created: 2025-03-15 *You are a kayak thrown into the cascading torrent of life, not a yacht steaming through the ocean.* ##### what is it? This idea comes in chapter 1 of [[Meditations for Mortals]], and is a descriptive word for the metaphor of being out of control of who, when, what you are. The word asks you to cede control to the universe. ##### why does it matter? When you realize that you are not at all in control, and no one else is either, you relinquish, you be, you are, much closer to what you are capable of. You focus on balancing your own boat, instead of changing the force of the nile. ##### This reminds me of The waste of [[Power Leaks]] and how if you allow any of your power to go into asking why, you loose your life-force. Don't ask why, just be. _[Pánta rheî](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panta_rhei_(Heraclitus) "Panta rhei (Heraclitus)") is the same idea ##### What would the opposite argument be? Can you turn the boat upstream? The harder you try, the more you loose the opportunity to feel the current and enjoy the trip, bumpy and foggy as it is. It reminds me of my theme for 2025 - tags: #note/idea | #on/being | #on/meditation ##### Sources: Burkeman, O. (2024). _[[Meditations for mortals]]: Four weeks to embrace your limitations and make time for what counts_ (First american). Farrar, Straus and Giroux.