Structure and Flow

Oh these two elements, structure and flow. They seem at odds with one another, but I know they’re really a team. Structure supports flow. Although, sometimes it seems to impede it.

Like today, for example. I’ve made a commitment to myself to post a blog here every week. I’ve carved out time in my schedule to write and have met my self-imposed deadline for 12 straight weeks.

Woohoo!

That’s structure.

Usually it opens the gate for flow, when the words fly unbidden from my fingertips and it’s a great joy.

But not today. I’m not feeling it. I don’t particularly want to be writing right now.

I’m also committed to honoring my inner rhythms. And boy, do I know the futility of trying to force flow during an ebb or vice versa.

There’s the dilemma I often come across: I agreed to do this thing and I’m just not into it at the time I agreed to do it. I want to honor my commitment, but do so in a way that is aligned with my truth.

Rather than falling into the trap of either- or, black- or- white thinking, I’m choosing to honor both my agreements and to post an authentic article about not wanting to be posting a bleeping article at all.

For a moment I entertained the idea of writing a haiku about my feelings. 🫣 Too much structure, though, so instead you get a few humble paragraphs and a recommendation at the end for a fantastic podcast about Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Chameli talks about seeing structure as a rhythm in this amazing episode. It’s what gave me the idea to find a way to be true to myself all around. To bend the structure I’ve created to meet me where I am today rather than molding my essential self into a form that is too restrictive for its current expression.

How about you? Does your structure need some remodeling to allow for the fullness of yourself? Or would your flow benefit from a more solid container? How can you better honor your sacred journey by finding the ever-moving balance point of structure and flow?