Upstream
When I was a kid, my favorite part of the water park was the lazy river. Sitting in a tube and just letting the current take you was the most simple and yet satisfying experience. Just sitting in the tube, of course, was never enough. I would need to hang beside it, one hand attached to keep me a float, with the rest of my body kicking and going with the flow to see how fast I could get.
I contrast that experience with the one I had a few days ago, in my kayak, paddling upstream and against the wind. It was the exact opposite of the lazy river experience. If I stopped paddling, for even one minute, I would immediately start to lose ground and float backwards. The tip of the kayak would start to turn and if I didn't start again quickly I would be going in the wrong direction. At one point the workout was so tough that I found a large tree branch sticking out of the water and attached myself to it just so I could get a breather.
Trips like that one I would not find enjoyable if I did every day. My body needs the lazy river days. The days when I don't have to paddle at all. Those moments lift me up and help me be ready for the days when I'm upstream and against the wind. That’s because in life, we need both.
We need to go upstream and downstream.
We need to rest, and we need to purposefully do things that are difficult. Things that will help us grow. Going with the flow is relaxing and necessary, but it doesn't make us any stronger.
What's interesting about pushing yourself in this way, is that it never really gets easier. When I go for a run, I don't think there's ever a day when I finish and say that was easy. But the more I work, the faster and longer I am able to go. It doesn't get easier but I get stronger and get to places I would have never gotten before.
So this week, take an account of your life right now. When is the last time you've had a lazy river day? When is the last time you've gone upstream? Try to find that balance that will give the rest and the push you need to make it to new heights.
