The Vortex

Universal Orbits

I seem to be able to find inspiration everywhere. This week I was at my regular water fitness class with a group of about sixteen other women. We were doing our best to keep up with the instructor as she directed us with each exercise. As the cool down, she told us to walk in a circle in approximately rib high water. There we were, our large circle struggling to make forward progress for the first several steps of this exercise. Then suddenly, it became remarkable easier. After a little bit longer I was being pulled forward.

I thought to myself, do not mess with the force of seventeen women when they gather and have a single purpose. Furthermore, I realized that if I ever wanted to get something difficult accomplished, the cumulative power of a like minded group would be remarkably helpful. In fact, they might even propel me forward.

What happened next was also eye opening. We were directed to turn around and walk in the opposite direction. The force we had created in the initial circle was frustratingly difficult to overcome as we reversed our direction. In that moment, I thought how challenging it is to make any progress when you are working against a group of people who are trying to stop you. And how many times we are our own opposing force with inner critical voices and the habit of listening to unsolicited opinions from people who do not believe in our abilities or do not understand our intentions. As we continued in the reverse direction, we slowly began to get some momentum and although, in my experience, we never reached the initial forward progress of the first direction, it did become easier after we overcame the opposing current.

Here’s what I took away from that simple exercise. If you want to start something challenging, it will feel difficult at first. If you stay with it, your slow progress will begin to feel easier. If you want to accomplish something really challenging, find a group of people who are interested in helping you achieve your goal. They might just propel you forward.

However, if you want to work toward a big goal and everyone seems to be working against you, you are surrounded by the wrong people. They are the nay sayers and they are not going to help you get where you’re going. Do not push against them. Just step to the side and get out of their current. Let them spiral.

It’s great to find the group that will help you get where you want to go. It’s just as easy to get into a vortex that propels you where you don’t want to go. The trick here is to stop and think about which vortex you are entering. Are you making progress on your goal or being dragged into theirs? The right people will create buoyancy and the wrong people will feel difficult to overcome.

Creative endeavors, like most things in life, can have a slow and challenging start. Sticking with it creates momentum. The longer you continue the easier it gets. If you have the advantage of a group, great. If you can be the buoyant force for someone else, do it. You can start a vortex. You are a powerful force.