I'm in a trough. You know, a 'low' - like the low part of a wave when the last high is pulling away behind you and the next one looks like a big climb ahead. And I'm paused, treading away in between in what feels like a backwards or no-motion current.
Not being able to influence the ocean very much, I've had to take a look around and check out my surroundings.
My realizations:
1) Like the wave, this trough is not permanent. I've been here for a day or two following a great high that included a few weeks of very forward, very great progress in my life - the fruits of satisfying work.
2) Life is full of wonderful, breathtaking, crazy highs, and they are equally non-permanent. And isn't that truly just great, the heights the rise out of lows! These unfathomable, irreplaceable moments of greatness are surprising and exceed our expectations. And sometimes they are just that - single moments of 'wow' and 'yes!' and laughter and belief and inspiration and confidence. Or sometimes they are longer periods resulting from focus, engagement, hard dedicated work.
3) I tumble off waves. For some reason, I go and go and go and then I crash. I wear myself out, drain my energy, and tumble down into the trough. Sometimes, after particularly stressful or hard work (or working too hard against the flow), I will tumble very far and stay there a long time.
4) It's ok. The trough is impermanent. The trough is a moment (or few days or more) to catch your breath, look around, ask "What the *bleep*", pick up the pieces, get some sleep and some good food, and wait to feel the next wave coming. ...feel the next wave coming - because it is there and will sweep you up when you're ready.
5) Ready yourself and catch the wave. I've had to practice catching the wave, stepping into those inspired moments or ideas and agreeing to do the work required. And sure, I've missed a few or let them pass me by - probably the right decision at the time. Use the trough to pick up your pieces, get your 'self' taken care of, reconnect with loved ones, re-evaluate your path. And get ready to climb into the next swell.
6) Work with - not against - the wave. Stepping into a spark of inspiration is great, and it's equally if not more important to do the work required. Take advantage of the surge of potential energy surrounding you and BUILD ON IT. Do the work and enjoy the climb.
7) Get to know the length of your wave-trough cycle. Hours, days, months... Sometimes a high is short and a trough can be painfully long. Or the swell is nice, long period of satisfying growth and you can perch on the high for some time, observing your work.
8 ) In life, waves are layered. Ever noticed you're having on a 'high' in one aspect of life, say like your career, but low in another?
9) Don't stay low too long. If you feel like you're in a trough that's not moving - and you can't feel the wave coming - make a change. Get some help from friends, mentors, and professionals. Don't stay low too long - life is too short to not be energized.
Ultimately - the awareness of these patterns in our life is critical to getting by and truly thriving.
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