Letters to Myself: Entry Thirty-Five
Prompt: Learning When to Go With the Flow and When to Choose the Current
A reflection on balancing passion and patience. And learning when to go with the flow and when to intentionally chase what matters most.
Like many things in life, there’s a powerful feeling that comes from being connected to something meaningful. It gives you a sense of belonging, direction, and purpose. A quiet but steady will to live fully.
What I love about that feeling is that it often comes not from moments of glory, but from intention. When you plan for something you’re passionate about, it gives life structure. It creates momentum. It doesn’t feel like pressure, it feels like purpose. You’re no longer drifting; you’re choosing.
For most of my life, I’ve thought of myself as someone who “goes with the flow.” In many ways, that’s true. I’m naturally calm, adaptable, and willing to accept life as it unfolds. Stoic philosophy reinforces this idea by recognizing that ups and downs are inevitable and learning not to resist them.
But I’ve learned that going with the flow doesn’t mean having no direction.
The flow of life still has currents. It still has waves. And learning to read them matters.
That’s why this reflection feels important to me. When you feel genuinely passionate about something. For example your work, your growth, your calling. It requires more than passivity. It requires planning, effort, and commitment. For me, that shows up in my desire to grow within my profession, to climb the ladder with intention, and to continue helping others find light on their darker days.
That kind of pursuit doesn’t fight the flow, it works with it.
The key is recognizing what matters to you and choosing to chase it while still enjoying the run. You will stumble. You may sprint confidently one moment and fall flat the next. That’s part of it. The setbacks don’t negate the journey, they give it texture.
Chasing something meaningful, even when it’s difficult, is one of life’s greatest rewards.
I believe that reaching the summit, whatever that looks like, will feel deeply fulfilling. But even more important is humbling yourself along the way. Appreciating progress. Letting moments land. Because achievements pass quickly if you don’t pause to honor them.
No one can take away a victory you earned while pursuing something you truly believe in.
Losses will stack up. Detours will happen. But enduring the elements, staying committed, and finishing the journey, that’s what makes someone a champion in their own life.
And for me, that balance feels right:
to move with the flow,
but still choose the current.
This post is part of my "Letters to Myself" series — a weekly free-write blog where I explore personal growth, curiosity, and healing through simple prompts. Sometimes reflective, sometimes fun, but always real. Thank you for being here.
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Photo by Kyle Gare
