Monday 5 Things ….. Wave Lengths …..
25.01.20 Written by D. Paul Graham
Good Monday morning to you! Before we give you five things fresher than your morning coffee, just a quick note to let you know we are working out a few more tech glitches in M5T. Your feedback is always appreciated and I am humbled by your support. If you subscribed and haven’t seen this week’s missive, please check your spam folder. To keep M5T out of spam jail, please whitelist us by adding us to your address book. We promise we’re worth it! And if you are so inclined, please share this weeks M5T with someone you think might enjoy these missives. With you on Mondays, your humble scribe, DPG.
Catching a wave at Praia da Nazaré, Portugal. Photo: D. Paul Graham
Breathing deeply, I filled my lungs with Floridian ocean air from the balcony of my hotel. Closing my eyes, I stood and listened to the sounds of heavy winds whipping up the ocean and massive waves crashing, assaulting the beach. I have always been fascinated by waves. They speak deeply and profoundly to me with a meeting of energy, motion and time. They are literal and metaphorical symbols of power and peace, sacrifice and serenity, and chaos and change. Visible expressions of invisible energy. A dance of persistence, rhythm, and transformation. And just like those waves, this morning’s M5T crests onto the shore of Monday.
1. PATIENCE OF PERSISTENCE. Waves don’t rush, yet they demonstrate raw power. They are a reminder that even the smallest, most consistent actions can shape something as formidable as rock. Over time waves carve cliffs, create beaches, and can radically alter coastlines. With the rise and fall of each wave, they make their mark, often in imperceptible ways. To the casual observer, the rock appears unyielding, but with every wave that crashes against it, tiny changes occur. Over time, these seemingly insignificant impacts accumulate to create dramatic changes to a coastline. The erosion of a cliffside or the formation of a smooth pebble takes years, even centuries, yet the waves remain persistent. In our lives, persistence is often undervalued. We increasingly expect immediate results and grow impatient when change takes longer than anticipated. We’re often tempted by quick fixes and instant gratification, whether it’s the promise of overnight success, rapid results from a new habit, or immediate solutions to life’s challenges. But deep and meaningful progress rarely advances quickly. Persistence doesn’t mean exerting maximum effort at all times. It’s about showing up consistently, even when the results aren’t immediately visible, with each action, no matter how small, contributing to a larger goal. Our greatest transformations, whether personal growth, relationships, or mastery of a skill, are all born from steady, patient effort. What are the “small waves” you’re creating daily? Are you giving yourself the freedom to make time for consistent actions that will shape how you live your life in the long term?
2. POWER BENEATH THE SURFACE. WAVES are a captivating spectacle of motion and energy, but their true power lies beneath the surface. Beneath each wave is a dynamic force, an intricate interplay of physics, nature, currents, gravity, and transferred energy that relentlessly drives it forward, giving each wave strength and direction over vast distances. This invisible power is a profound reminder that much of what drives success and transformation in life is unseen. Much of the power in our lives occurs from beneath the surface. Our true power is a result of our mindset, the quiet moments of introspection, remaining true to our values, and the inner resilience that only comes through adversity. All of these invisible forces shape who you become. It’s easy to become distracted by external appearances but tapping into the energy that is below the surface results in growth. Waves travel with purpose, driven by energy. Are you cultivating internal currents of your intentions, focus, and effort, and nurturing the energy within? Are your outward actions aligned with the deeper forces that guide you? Or are you getting lost in the surface noise?
3. RIPPLE EFFECTS. Every wave begins as a ripple. A disturbance, small and seemingly inconsequential, but it grows, gaining energy, and spreads with momentum with a force capable of traveling to distant shores. This ripple effect is a testament to how even the smallest actions can grow, multiply, and create lasting impact over time. Waves remind us of life's natural ebb and flow. They rise and fall, offering a lesson in resilience and adaptability. One action can inspire a cascade of outcomes. Embracing the rhythm of ripples and waves help navigate life’s challenges with grace. It’s easy to feel that small actions or ideas are insignificant, especially in a world that celebrates dramatic, overnight successes. But most meaningful achievements and transformations start as tiny ripples—small decisions, modest changes, or quiet moments of inspiration. Energy from starting positive habits, brief conversations, and simple ideas create ripples that can influence in ways that we may not anticipate. Small often humble beginnings are powerful because they allow for growth through compounding. Each small action builds on the energy of the previous one. Over time, this steady accumulation creates exponential and often profound results of influence and transformation that impacts your life and those around you. Ripple effects encourage us to start where we are, trust the process, and believe in the power of growth. What ripples will you create this week?
4. HARMONY IN CHAOS. THOUGH waves may crash violently or roll gently, they are a part of a larger, harmonious rhythm governed by the moon, tides, and wind. Even their chaos has a place in the order of nature. Standing on the shore, waves can seem turbulent, unpredictable, and unruly. They crash with unpredictable force, overlapping in complex patterns, and churning the sand and seafoam into a constant state of motion and chaos. Waves embody a paradox. Even in the most chaotic storms, towering waves and tumultuous seas eventually give way to calmer waters. This rhythm of chaos settling into harmony is an intrinsic part of nature. Our lives, too, can look and feel chaotic at times, filled with fears, unexpected disruptions, challenges, and uncertainty. Yet, within this disorder lies an opportunity to find balance and meaning. If we step back, we might see that this chaos is part of a greater rhythm. Every challenge, disruption, or unexpected turn has its place in the broader narrative of our life. The fundamental challenge is to find harmony, a balance, within the turbulence and to trust that even the roughest waves will settle. Find harmony within the chaos by accepting the rhythm of your season in life, focusing on the bigger picture, and embracing the moment and movement for what it is, dynamic and full of energy. Waves demonstrate that chaos and harmony are not opposites. They coexist. The interplay of unfettered energy and structured rhythm creates dynamic balance. In the midst of chaos, practice mindfulness to find beauty and clarity, focus on adapting to the situation instead of resisting it, look for patterns or lessons from your past, trust that the chaos will lead to calm, and above all, celebrate chaos for the energy, and the opportunity to create something extraordinary. How do you find harmony in the chaos of your life?
5. THE WISDOM OF LETTING GO. Waves offer a timeless lesson in the art of letting go. They rise with grace, crash with intensity, and retreat with calm acceptance, only to rise again. They do not cling to their form or resist change. Instead, they embody the art of impermanence and renewal. They rise with power, crest with beauty, and fall with grace, only to be drawn back into the vastness of the ocean. This perpetual cycle reminds us that life is not about clinging to the past or resisting change but about embracing the flow, releasing what no longer serves us, and trusting in renewal. Holding on too tightly, whether to outcomes, expectations, or the past, can prevent us from moving forward. Waves remind us that letting go is not an end but a continuance, a way to make space for new energy and opportunities. This cycle of creation, culmination, and release mirrors the natural rhythm of life; beginnings and endings; gains and losses; and growth and renewal. Waves don’t mourn their fall or cling to their height. They embody the wisdom of letting go and flowing with what comes next. The wisdom of letting go is often one of the hardest lessons to embrace. How often do we hold on tightly to relationships, identities, possessions, or expectations, even when they no longer serve us. Clinging creates resistance, stagnation, and unnecessary suffering. Like a wave, letting go is about releasing control with grace and acceptance. Letting go isn’t about weakness or giving up; it’s an act of strength and trust. Waves teach us that release is essential for renewal. Without letting go, there’s no space for growth, new beginnings, or transformation. It allows for release and decluttering of emotions and regret, and grants wisdom gained from embracing uncertainty. What are you holding onto that no longer serves you? What would it look like to release it and trust the flow of your journey?
Whatever waves you are riding this week, here’s to being inspired, living with intention, embracing change, finding harmony, and trusting the rhythm of your journey.
For over 13 years, D. Paul Graham has published “Monday 5 Things” ™, also known to readers as M5T™. He continues to love making waves.
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