FEAR

It is said that some time recently entering the ocean,

a stream trembles with fear.

She looks back at the way she has traveled,

from the crests of the mountains,

the long winding street crossing woodlands and towns.

And before her,

these feelings so vast

that to enter there appears nothing more

than to vanish forever.

There's no other way.

The waterway cannot go back.

No one can go back.

To go back is impossible in presence.

The stream has to take the chance of entering the sea,

since as it were at that point will fear disappear.

That's where the stream will know it's not about disappearing into the ocean...

...Within the sea, the waterway finds a new beginning.

She gets to be part of something greater than herself,

a vast, boundless substance that sustains and supports life.

In combining with the sea,

the stream does not lose her personality;

instead, she contributes to the magnificence of the sea,

enhancing its depths with the stories of her travel.

This journey mirrors our own lives.

We begin from humble beginnings,

just like the waterway at the mountain top,

immaculate and clear,

full of potential.

As we move through life,

we experience deterrents and challenges,

turns and twists that shape us.

We pass through woodlands of doubt

and towns of consolation,

each involvement adding to our depth and character.

But there comes a time

when we must confront the unknown,

a vast sea of possibilities and uncertainties.

We tremble with fear at the thought of losing ourselves,

of leaving behind the familiar paths

we have traveled.

However, just as the waterway cannot turn back,

we too must move forward,

embracing the change that lies ahead.

The sea speaks to the culmination of our journey,

the point where we consolidate with the collective experiences of humankind.

Within the sea, we realize that our fears were unfounded.

We don't vanish;

we transform.

Our essence mixes with the greater whole,

and we become part of something eternal and infinite.

As the river streams into the sea,

she brings with her the essence of the mountains,

the whispers of the woodlands,

and the laughter of the villages.

She enhances the sea,

just as our experiences enhance the world.

In the end, it isn't about losing ourselves,

but about expanding our presence,

embracing the vastness of life.

So, when confronted with the unknown,

remember the stream.

Embrace the journey,

take the risk,

and flow into the sea of life.

Only then will you discover

that fear is simply the shadow of doubt,

and that in the vast ocean,

you'll find your true self,

not lost, but transformed.

In this transformation, we find our true purpose.

Just as the river nourishes the sea,

our lives, our actions, and our choices

become part of the larger tapestry of existence.

Each challenge we face,

each triumph we achieve,

adds to the richness of our shared human experience.

The river's journey to the sea isn't just a passage;

it's a testament to resilience, courage, and the inevitability of growth.

It reminds us that while the path may be daunting,

the destination holds a promise of renewal and unity.

In the embrace of the sea,

the river's fears are washed away,

replaced by a profound sense of belonging and purpose.

So let us be like the river,

undaunted by the uncertainties ahead.

Let us flow with determination,

knowing that each step forward brings us closer

to the vast, welcoming ocean of our potential.

For in the end, it is through this journey that we truly come to understand

the beauty and depth of our existence.