Flow Like a River Around Life’s Hard Obstacles
Reciprocal nature prompt second week of February — “Flowing River”.
I love to sit on a river bank. The energy from the flowing water calms my spirit. Whenever troubled over events in my life, it’s the first place I head. It nurtures and eases my thoughts. Water releases dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, chemicals that create a feeling of happiness.
A river resembles life, always moving. Nothing can stop it. If blocked by an obstacle, the current finds a way around it. The river teaches us to be strong and persistent. Keep going. In time the barrier erodes and an opening appears. Rivers are a powerful force, carving valleys and gorges on its journey to the ocean.
I try to pitch my tent beside a river when I go backpacking. The music from the current provides a restful sleep to my weary body.
“A river seems a magic thing. A magic, moving, living part of the very earth itself.” ― Laura Gilpin
Rivers benefit man in many ways
Rivers are vital to human life, carrying water to people and all animals on earth. Without water life could not exist. We use it for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing clothes, and watering plants. It allows us to irrigate crops, transport goods, and produce electricity. Rivers enrich our lives so that we can go swimming and boating.
It gives oxygen and minerals to aquatic life. Crayfish, insects, mussels, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals need these elements. Imagine a world without whales, dolphins, seals, and otters. We must take better care of our rivers so they can continue to serve us.
Floods produce fertile soil in river valleys and plains. Irrigation ditches carry river water to dry regions so farmers can grow crops to feed the nation.
Where do rivers come from?
The source starts from snow that accumulates on mountains during winter. As the sun warms the surface in springtime, it starts to melt. Gravity causes the water to flow to lower elevations. Little rivulets become streams then creeks as the volume builds.
Waterfalls are spectacular when streams cascade over rocky cliffs. Then they’re called rivers which increase in size on their journey to the ocean.
Man regards rivers as a spiritual entity
Water is a symbol of God’s life-giving presence, purification and hope. Many Cultures believe water has healing and energetic properties. People travel great distances to drink or bath in “holy” wells, springs and rivers. Many believe that water can absorb prayers, cure disease and provide health benefits.
Man sees water as a symbol of wisdom, power, music, and the chaos that brought forth our material earth. It is capable of much destruction during times of extreme floods.
“Life is like the river, sometimes it sweeps you gently along and sometimes the rapids come out of nowhere.” ― Emma Smith
A sincere thank you to the Reciprocal Nature Editor Sahil Patel for this engaging prompt.
Please read the following articles by other Medium writers:
Nancy Blackman, MASF reminds us that we are all precious and should share our gifts with the world like a river does.
DrPreeti Singh found a beautiful work of art on a beach with a lovely message.
