Water is the Middle Way Between Honey and Vinegar
If you look out into our world right now, you’ll likely come across the bitter taste of vinegar or the saccharine sweet of honey.
People are either preparing themselves for battle, choosing up sides, allowing the acidic bile to rise and burn.
Or they’re checking out, seeking instead the sweet taste of avoidance and bliss.
These two patterns are evident on both the macro and micro levels.
For years, I thought honey was the best way to go. Be nice to everyone, give selflessly, put others first. When you don’t really want to face something, find something pleasurable to fill the void. Honey tastes great in the beginning.
Eventually though, it sours. Vinegar always arrives, pent up resentments, fears and burdens. You may wonder, how did I end up here? Vinegar has a reputation for purification, makes clean what ails you.
What if water is the middle way?
By pH, it’s considered neutral. Can never be destroyed, merely takes on new form.
- Its stillness brings reflection and clarity.
- A pebble drop inspires ripples.
- When in action, it literally moves mountains.
How can we bring our thoughts, our emotions, our actions into a water-like state? Water can be solid and firm; only when cold. The gaseous form of water is nebulous and cloudy.
With out a doubt, water’s best qualities show up as a liquid.
Strong and flexible.
Can shape to a container when chosen or pour out freely.
Begins one path, then diverts as needed when the terrain changes.
Provides life-giving sustenance but also requires diligence to maintain its quality and integrity.
Water moves us into the flow state. The ability to simultaneously embody ourselves as a single drop as well as become the vast ocean.
Who you are at a soul level matters as much as how you show up in the world. Taking a deep dive within, creates ripples without.
It’s not that we won’t ever embody honey or vinegar, but most of life is meant to be spent in the center of the stream.
Sometimes floating, sometimes plunging, always emerging.
Is your soul calling out to emerge? Do you ever ask yourself:
- Why am I here?
- What am I supposed to be doing?
- How do I fit into my community, in the world?
- What’s my greatest potential?
Imagine knowing your life’s purpose so clearly you could state it boldly without hesitation in a few powerful words. Imagine living every day in complete alignment with that purpose, giving an important gift to the world — a gift that is uniquely yours.
The Soul Mission intensive workshop, coming up Feb. 22–24 is an investment in your soul — an investment in the deeper qualities of inner peace, joy and meaning in your life. Early bird registration deadline is November 1, learn more and join us here…
