You may use this image in your ezine or website if you choose to publish my article. Click here to see the picture full-sized.--- Mark Susnow

Wouldn't it be great if there was a formula if followed would be 
the answer to all of your problems and concerns. We are all 
intrigued by books that promise us a better life. And many of us 
are looking for the secrets of the ages that promise us 
enlightenment.

I know that was my quest at one time in my life. In the seventies 
I had very few responsibilities and was a student of 
Transcendental Meditation. The pursuit of enlightenment was the 
carrot I was searching for. Today with a family, career and other 
responsibilities I no longer think about enlightenment. I do 
think about being a more fulfilled person and becoming fully 
engaged with life. It is an exciting journey that is full of 
surprises and mystery.

I never thought I would be embracing the internet as I do. It has 
enabled me to be in contact with people from all over the world. 
For the last five years I have had the privilege of being a guide 
for many fellow travelers along the river of life.

I know that I make frequent references to the river of life. When 
I was 12 years old my Uncle Sam took me on a week long river 
rafting trip sponsored by the Sierra Club on the Green River in 
Colorado. I remember it like it was yesterday. We flew from San 
Francisco to Boise and then caught a little six seater plane that 
flew over the mountains and landed in a town near our campsite. 
Already an adventure for a 12 year old we drove to the river. On 
the second day of the trip I was swimming along the side of the 
raft when I noticed the raft getting ahead of me and I heard the 
yells: "Get in the boat." But it was too late...As I swam toward 
the boat against the current I became tired. And then I heard the 
yells: "Stay in the center." I was propelled through the rapids 
right behind the boat. And as the water became calm I was able to 
relax for a second. And then I noticed that the boat was still 
ahead of me and the next series of rapids was approaching. My 
uncle extended an oar to me and I was able to grab it and be 
pulled onto the boat. My exciting adventure was over and I had a 
lot to talk about the rest of the trip.

"The river" has a current all its own that is constantly 
changing. As we learn to navigate and embrace these changes our 
life becomes more fulfilling and exciting. But if we resist 
theses changes that are going to occur anyway because that's the 
nature of rivers, we will struggle and when we struggle we 
usually don't make very good decisions.

Sometimes that struggle occurs when we are overwhelmed by all of 
the demands of our life. And at other times it occurs because our 
lives are hopelessly out of balance. Others experience struggle 
and despair because of all of the suffering in the world.

At some level we might feel that something is fundamentally 
missing. Whatever our life challenges are we want more from life 
than what we are currently experiencing.

Our quest is to satisfy that longing. It is dancing on the edge 
between our current reality and the life we want that presents 
the challenge and opportunity.

Let the river be our teacher in this adventure called life. Let 
it teach us what is necessary to navigate these waters and to 
make the journey fulfilling, adventurous and meaningful.

1. Find and live from your center. That was the message from the 
Green River. When you are centered and connected to your inner 
most being you are connected with the source of everything. I 
felt the safest and most secure when I was in the center of the 
river and the water could flow effortlessly. Meditation enables 
me to connect with that center every day.

2. Get out of your comfort zone. I could have stayed in the boat 
and played it safe but I was curious and adventurous. My comfort 
zone for me was my law practice and as a result my life for many 
years was on hold. Getting in the current and flow of life 
involves risk but that is what you need to so sometimes. 
Relationships also involve risk.... getting in them and getting 
out of them.

3. Learn to let go of resistance. Resistance is a struggle and 
makes you tired. At first I resisted the current of the river and 
tried to swim back to the boat. But I became tired from the 
struggle. Then I let go and stayed in the center and enjoyed the 
adventure. When you allow yourself to flow with what is, there 
will be a synchronicity in your life that seems magical.

4. Be prepared. I wore a life preserver on the river. When you 
are prepared you can relax and enjoy life more. Preparation 
involves taking care of your mind and body. It involves eating 
well and exercising. It involves being informed and being 
curious. It also involves working on yourself. As you expand who 
you are, your sense of what is possible in your life also 
expands.

5. Trust others and work together. You can't do it alone and why 
would you want to. When you are open and willing to receive you 
can create a synergy in your life that is greater than the sum of 
the individual parts. When the oar is extended accept it.

6. Develop the practice of gratitude. I was grateful for that 
oar. I was grateful that I got to experience the river. And I am 
grateful for my life. We all have a lot to be grateful for. By 
expressing gratitude for some of the inner qualities that are 
most important to us such as the ability to love, to smile and to 
connect with each other we expand our ability to attract to us 
these qualities.

7. The River of Life is a great mystery. I am becoming 
increasingly more comfortable with not knowing the next step. And 
when it comes I enjoy taking it. The river is unpredictable and 
you can't figure it out. Whether the water is still or raging it 
is still the same water. You have to just flow with it and enjoy 
the adventure.

With each passing year I am blessed to share the journey with 
many new like minded travelers. Thank you for reading Letters on 
Life and expanding our circle by forwarding this letter to those 
in your circle. The internet has been instrumental in connecting 
us with other like minded people all over the world. Letters on 
Life is now translated into three languages and last month people 
from 65 countries visited InspirePossibility.com. By the way when 
is your next river rafting trip?

Journey On


Mark
mark@inspirepossibility.com
(415) 453-5016 

Mark Susnow has a unique background. Formerly a successful trial 
attorney for 30 years, as well as musician, he integrates what it 
takes to be truly prosperous in the world with the inner wisdom 
unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation practice. 
As a personal coach, leadership consultant and inspirational 
speaker, Mark provides inspiration and motivation to many 
business leaders and professionals. He knows what it means to 
have a big vision and has demonstrated the courage and energy 
it takes to accomplish it. Consider contacting Mark and be 
sure to visit his website: http://www.inspirepossibility.com