Heroes Not Zombies

We talk about “going with the flow“, almost as if it is the opposite of “going against the grain”.

But flow is not always smooth. Flow can be soft and easy, but it can be powerful and turbulent too.

When I was walking along this beach I was aware of the flow of the air on my face, the flow of the heat from the sun, the flow of the light through the sky, onto the water and the sand making it sparkle and shine. I was aware of the flow of the tides, as the sea receded to reveal silver sand and countless shells. Then suddenly there was a surge of sound. A rushing, white, world-filling sound. I looked up from the shells to the edge of the sea and saw a wave running up fast onto the beach. The water crashed onto the wet sand, fizzed and foamed, and was gone. In that moment I was aware of the flow of energy in the vast sea.

Flow is my verb for this week, from my A to Z of Becoming.

How can we “go with flow”?

I think it all begins by becoming aware of it.

I think it can begin by feeling the flow – the flow of the air in the wind, the flow of temperature in heat and in coolness on your skin, the flow of light as it sparkles and shines and creates shadows, the flow of water in the movement of the tides, the waves and the clouds, the flow of sound in the songs of the birds, the crashing of waves on a beach, the gurgling of water in a stream, the noise of the raindrops hitting the windows, the flow of scents as you pass a bakers or stand at the edge of the ocean….

There are many ways to experience flow. Why not start this way? Deliberately, consciously choose to “look out for”, to become aware of, to notice, THE FLOW.

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This week’s A to Z of Becoming verb has been “exploring” – actively choosing to go and explore something with that spirit of curiosity and open minded wonder which pretty much guarantees you are going to find something which makes you go……..”look at this!”

Well, what better kind of active exploring is there than beachcombing?

Not only are you likely to be saying “Look at this!” repeatedly, but the slow speed required to do beachcombing is so relaxing.

Why not schedule in some beachcombing in your year ahead?

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In the A to Z of Becoming, E can stand for Explore.

I think we can explore this world we are in every single day.

We can either go somewhere to explore a place – a couple of days ago at breakfast, Hilary said to me “I’d really like to go and see Aubterre sur Dronne”. So, I replied, “The sun is out, let’s go now”. And off we went. Aubterre sur Dronne is one of France’s “plus beaux villages” and is about an hour’s drive from here. It’s one of those quintessential French villages, with winding narrow streets, a pedestrianised central market square, and is probably a bustling little town in the summer season. In February, it’s VERY quiet!

It’s a delight to go exploring. To travel to a village or a town for the first time and to wander around in peace, taking photos, browsing in the artisan’s workshops and having a relaxed lunch.

Maybe there is a town, or a village, or a place you’ve never visited, yet which is within an hour of where you live? I once recommended a “thirty minute discovery challenge” – I’m extending that to an hour (just to increase the options!)

But I think exploring is not just about physically traveling to somewhere different.

It is an attitude of mind, and it’s a way of engaging with the world.

I explore the boundaries of my knowledge in my reading. I explore new music using the “radio” button on Spotify. I explore other perspectives on Life by browsing the web, reading blog posts, looking at other photographer’s work. I explore the potential of my skills as I learn a new language, practice my guitar, or seek the solutions to practical problems.

Exploring involves curiosity, observation, reflection, and a passion for the everyday (l’émerveillement du quotidien). It stimulates creativity, deepens understanding and broadens my world.

What are you going to explore this week?

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In my twelve monthly themes, the theme for February is love.

One thing I reckon the world could do with more of is LOVE.

It’s so sad to come across the daily stories of hatred, cruelty and intolerance.

One of the banners held aloft by the crowds who filled the streets of French towns in the “Je suis Charlie” marches read “L’amour plus fort que la haine” – “Love is stronger than hate”.

Do you agree?

I’d like to see a lot of changes in our world, but I don’t see that hatred is a good way of achieving what we want. Nor is bitterness, intolerance or contempt.

So, let’s try love, tolerance and respect instead.

And where better place to start than where you are right now?

What an interesting experiment it might be to start each day of February by getting in touch with love.

To start each day from the standpoint of love.

To start each day with loving intention.

To ask yourself to think, speak and act out of love all day long.

And to end each day of February with reflection. How much did I feel love today? When did I feel love today?

And to be grateful for all the loving moments you experienced.

Hey, if you do this every day for the whole month of February, who knows, you might just decide it’s a better way to live…….and what would the world be like if millions of us did that?

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