Life is like a river. It has it's own flow and direction. There are rapids and falls, as well as peaceful pools. Some places are narrow and some are very wide. Sometimes it goes fast and others times it hardly moves at all. But rivers are always in some movement. You cannot push a river to make it go any faster, nor can you slow it down or stop it. So perhaps our primary task in life is to learn how to effectively navigate this river...and, of course, to enjoy the trip as we flow on through.

I have known a number of people who have tried to be "river pushers". They try to do more than is humanly possible, and also often expect the same from others. They get frustrated with themselves and others when results do not happen fast enough. They are also prone to unhealthy levels of stress due to this attempted river pushing. They usually miss the beauty of life and the lessons of enlightenment because they are so busy trying to "make" things happen.

Likewise, there are also those people who try to stop or slow down the flow of the river. They too often suffer from high levels of unhealthy stress due to all the energy they put into their river blocking tactics. They often sabotage their own lives because they are simply afraid of where the river may take them. They want to know ahead of time where they are going and what is going to happen. They too miss out on the wonderful adventure and natural illuminations that occur in the flow on the river of life.

Therefore, I would like to invite you to be an expert life-river navigator. Here are three tips to help you successfully navigate through life:

1. Due to the unpredictable nature of the river, it is a good idea to make a plan and have goals, but to also let go of being attached to the outcomes. Rapids and waterfalls call for flexibility and patience...plan B, C, D, and E, are great back-ups when plan A does not workout.

2. You are not a salmon, so there is no point in trying to swim upstream. You cannot go backwards in life, only forward. Therefore, you may want to surround yourself with other river navigators who are being successful on their journey. Be on the lookout for them and ask them their secrets...most of them are happy to help.

3. As the saying goes, "Life is a journey, not a destination...", so it is with the river of life. There is much beauty and enlightenment that will naturally occur if you simply enjoy the journey.

May you have an incredible journey, and as always, if I can help in any way, just let me know.

Ken Donaldson

Ken Donaldson, the REALationship Coach, has been based in Tampa Bay, Florida offering counseling, coaching, and educational programs since 1987. He is a licensed mental health counselor; board certified as an addictions professional and clinical hypnotherapist; and certified as a master relationship coach. Ken is a graduate of the University of South Florida, the Institute for Life Coach Training and the Relationship Coaching Institute. He has been exclusively in private practice since 1993.

Ken is the author of the new breakthrough life and relationship success book Marry YourSelf First! Saying “I Do” to a Life of Passion, Power and Purpose. The material in this book is a result of Donaldson’s 15+ years of clinical counseling and coaching with thousands of individuals and couples. In this book, he reveals what he has discovered as the 20 core Principles of Passion, Power and Purpose. When these principles are applied to your life you can overcome self-limiting patterns and create abundant happiness, fulfillment and success in your life and relationships.

Donaldson’s primary message from this book is to “Master Your Life and Your Relationships!” Purchasers of this book are eligible for free coaching and educational programs to support and promote optimal growth and success.

Ken founded the REALationship Coaching programs empower people to have more successful lives, businesses and relationships by building a powerful relationship with themselves first.

Included are the monthly Saturday Series workshops and the REAL Talk Forums. These programs are for couples and individuals alike, and help the participants live the most passionate and balanced lives possible.

He also facilitates the Marry YourSelf First program that assists singles to have more successful relationships and more satisfying lives. The graduates of this program leave with a clear vision of who they are, what they want, and how to get it.

In addition, he offers the Partners for Life programs for both pre-committed and committed couples that provide the tools and resources to help couples create relationships that are both lasting and fulfilling. Couples report that they have deeper intimacy and more fun as a result of utilizing the tools from these programs.

Ken also offers education and training programs for businesses and community organizations on a variety of personal growth and business improvement topics.

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