Ebbs and Flows in Life

 Ebbs and Flows in Life

Ebbs and Flows in life is always part of the equation.  And if you're not managing it the way it has to be, so sorry, your life could end up in shambles.  What's the logic of going from the frying pan into the fire if you think it will be a fool's errand to take that path ?  Too bad many of us would look at the other direction when we hit a snag.  In that touching blog by Stephanie Hill @ https://www.herald-dispatch.com/life-like-the-ocean-ebbs-and-flows/article_b393b339-5db8-5331-9b4d-1c08e24d9637.html, the message is crystal clear.  Ebbs and flows.  Inhale and exhale.  Sunrise and sunset.  These are inseparable twins in our lives.  

After all, life is a journey but be mindful that life is a trap game as well.  Unless you wiggle yourself out in a trap game, you could end up 'dead in the waters'.  Our relationships is never far from the picture though.  Joyce Marter reinforces that in her blog @ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-go-with-the-ebb-an_b_4498141 wherein she states that 'like rock formations, seashells and sand are weathered and polished by the ocean waves as we are shaped and smoothed by the forces of our relationships.  When Covid-19 came into the picture, it threw a monkey wrench in our lives. Lurking around for a one-word solution to our ebb and flow, eureka, I found it.  In Kathy Caprino's piece @ https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2016/06/15/10-ways-to-brave-up-how-to-rise-up-speak-up-and-stand-up-boldly-for-yourself/?sh=799d091b1093, being 'brave' is what matters.    

Of course, our worst fear ever has always been hitting rock bottom  BUT do we agree that hitting rock bottom is 
the best ever thing that can ever happen to us ?  In that piece of Lyndelle Palmer Clarke @ https://dailygreatness.co/blogs/be-your-own-guru/52291205-12-reasons-why-hitting-rock-bottom-is-the-best-thing-that-can-ever-happen-to-you, she rattles off twelve reasons why, namely:  you gotta REFLECT, see your dysfunctional behavior, gain a fresh perspective, self awareness of bad habits, trusting in life, humility, compassion, letting go, taking responsibility, realizing that the only way is UP, trusting yourself and gratitude.

And if I may add, never belittle how MOTIVATION can bring you that far in life.  Wesley So, the Filipino-American chess prodigy will always be my prime example of someone who went through the worst ebbs and flows and as of today, he is near atop the summit he has been trekking.  Twelve years ago, no less than his immediate family left him alone as they migrated to Canada.  A young teen struggling in life and left to fend for himself is just unthinkable but Wesley went through that wringer.  Two years later, that opportunity of expanding his chess skills at the global level was too good to refuse when he was offered that academic scholarship at Webster U and who would think that for the last ten years, he has 

been consistently part of the Top 10 super grandmasters and the past months, he has been smothering Magnus Carlsen, the reigning world champion, over and over again.  After winning last week's latest tournament by smothering [again] Magnus Carlsen, he was interviewed by ChessBase India and was asked, how does he motivate himself ?  And surprisingly, Wesley admitted that when he got tormented by his life's ebbs and flows, Wesley admitted that it's those 'downtimes' which motivated him through the years.  And if we don't believe in Divine Intervention, who can expect an American family [of American-Filipina Lotis Key] literally embracing Wesley into their fold as a family member with all the support structure he deserves as an elite chess super grandmaster.  This piece is indeed touching.  https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/drive/sports/12/09/20/wesley-so-in-the-eyes-of-lotis-key. If at all, this is no less than a MIRACLE REBOUND in Wesley's life.  Hoping that this should be an inspiration for us all, especially for those going through life's ebbs and flows. Sunrise will always follow suit the latest sunset. 🎀