Salmon are “programmed” to reproduce in the same waters from which they were hatched.  The problem is that they are hatched in fresh water, but live in salt water as adults.  When their internal clock says it’s time to spawn, they use their sense of smell among other things, to return to their birthplace, hook up with a mate and after making several nests (called redds) they eventually expire from exhaustion!

Sadly, some of us humans do the same – although without the clear purpose (reproduction) of the salmon.

That’s not very Zen-like!

We have a purpose – to make life better for our kids, to build a business that will last, or whatever it may be, and we determinedly pursue our purpose with all the right and good intentions as we push ourselves from one goal to the next, one achievement to the next, one dream to the next.

And if you are enjoying that ride – then GOOD ONYA as the English say!

But for many of us, myself included, that constant pushing onward and upward becomes exhausting and more importantly, disillusioning.  We get caught up in a cycle of constantly STRIVING and STRUGGLING for an ever-illusive bigger and better goal, dream or aspiration.

Is it wrong to want something more than you currently have?

Not necessarily.  After all, according  to the Law of Attraction, each “wanting” sends an energetic Rocket of Desire to the Universe and when we align our thoughts and actions energetically to that desire, we manifest it.  It’s how we “get stuff”!

And also, nothing can ever be “wrong” per se!  It’s all just a step in our human journey.  Wrong is a word in the human vocabulary, but the soul, the Universe, God, Universal Source Energy – whatever terminology you choose – doesn’t have a judgmental vocabulary.  It only knows energy and the level of vibration – that’s also the study of Quantum Physics!  It’s mathematical or science or both, but it’s not a value judgment!

So let’s get back to us and the salmon. 

Thankfully, we are different than salmon because we have a very complex brain!  And we can bypass our programming if we devote some time and attention to it!  Just because we may have been told as children that the only way to get ahead is to “work hard” and that our current culture still supports that paradigm, doesn’t mean we are compelled ever-after-more to follow it!

Because as humans, we have the power of choice!  Once we become aware of other options, we can dwell a pause, re-evaluate and make a different choice if we want!

That’s one of the things that makes us different than salmon!

And that’s very ZEN!

The point is that if we are constantly struggling and striving, aka swimming upstream, we DO get too tired, physically, emotionally and spiritually to ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

And ENJOYING THE JOURNEY is the whole reason we are here!  We wanted to have a human experience because it had variety and because it gave us opportunities to expand our experience energetically.  As Divine Source we believe that being human is FUN!  And then, as we take on human form, we FORGET THAT!

And we come out of the shoot, a bit like the salmon!  Pre-programmed by our mere humanity for struggle and strife.

ICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!

Let’s knock it off!

Let’s choose again!

Let’s use our physical brains to re-evaluate!

Let’s remember our Divine intention!

Look – I get that there are some things we still feel we “have to” do . . . like laundry and going to work.  But don’t let those “have to’s” become the “onlys” . . . .

Don’t let your whole life be about traveling from one “have to” to the next!  We miss the point entirely when we allow ourselves to do that.  We go back to being salmon!

See if you can reduce the number of “have to’s” in your life.

See if you can change your attitude about a “have to” into an “I choose to” or even better “I WANT to.”

See if you can remember to literally stop and smell the roses in between the “have to’s”  and  really be consciously present in the now moment the next time you give the family pet a pet! Or really notice the twinkle in your beloved’s eye.  Or the sparkle of the morning dew on the grass.

Even while you are in the midst of a “have to” you can stop and become grateful. Appreciate the RESULT of the “have to” – in the laundry example… it may seem like the chore but who doesn’t love the smell and feel of fresh sheets on the bed! Or clean knickers!!!

While I certainly do not want to malign the magnificent salmon as a species, I do want us to remember that we are different.

We have the power of choice.

We do not “have to” swim upstream and die of exhaustion.

Let’s choose a little ease and grace shall we?

Let’s ZEN shall we . . .

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Namaste!