Mantra #5: Becoming
Change Without Losing the Self
The sun rises over the river, bright and clear.
Gold light pours into the first broad bend. The current turns around a pale gravel bar, gathers beside the reeds, and continues as one unbroken ribbon toward the blue hills. I step onto the path with the warm light on my face.
The water shows me a new shape each moment, yet I recognize the river.
“I’m not who I used to be.”
My shoes settle into the fresh curve of the trail.
“I’m who I choose to be.”
I embrace change and lean into the bends.
The current carries the first reflection of the sun around the curve.
“I let the river of life power me forward.”
A low stone shelf reaches from the bank. Water spreads around it in two shining streams and joins again below.
“Temporary defeat is not ultimate failure.”
The shelf becomes part of the river’s motion. Each turn gives the current another way onward.
“I turn every failure into a stepping stone on the way to ultimate success.”
At a split-trunk sycamore, the trail widens. Two other walkers arrive from the meadow and fall into step beside me. We meet the next curve together.
“We don’t resist.”
The path rises gently above the water.
“We relax.”
Our shoulders lower. Our stride finds an easy rhythm.
“We let go of everything holding us down, and we allow ourselves to rise up.”
We follow the higher ground without hurry.
“We are patient and humble.”
Every turn becomes part of the way forward.
The sun climbs above the far hills. Shadows draw closer to the trees, and the river brightens from bank to bank.
The trail narrows enough for one person at a time. Each of us waits for clear footing, then moves.
“We don’t make excuses.”
“We make ourselves.”
A root holds one step. A flat stone holds the next.
“We don’t quit.”
At the top of the rise, the path opens across a warm green meadow.
“We win.”
The victory is quiet. We smile, nod to one another, and keep our own pace.
A slow, steady process assures success.
The other walkers take the meadow trail. I return to the curve beside the water. Sunlight reaches farther through the leaves, and the cool air warms against my face.
“I’m grateful for this day and its opportunities.”
Ahead, the path divides. One branch follows the river. The other climbs toward open light.
“I take action with courage and clarity.”
I choose the river path and enter the bend.
“I move boldly.”
The gravel narrows beside a stand of reeds. Firm ground rises to my right, and I follow it toward the upper trail.
“I correct as I go.”
From the high bank, I see the current working through every open channel. I cannot arrange the water or straighten its course.
“I don’t try to control things.”
I choose my footing, my pace, and my next step.
“I only control myself.”
The upper trail circles back to the stone landing. The sun now stands above the blue hills. Gold light covers the place where I began.
“Every day I am becoming who I am meant to be.”
I pause beside the moving water. My reflection stretches through the ripples, gathers, and remains my own.
“I’m not who I used to be.”
I turn toward home on the path I have learned this morning.
“I’m who I choose to be.”