In the Words of Toni Braxton … “Let it Flow”

We all have an escape when we need peace. I have many and one of them is water, it doesn’t matter if it’s a bath, shower, my toes in the ocean, or tubing down a river - water has a way of calming me. I recall a time when my family and I were tubing down the Chattahoochee River; we tied our tubes together so we wouldn’t separate, and would be able to collectively kick away from the rocks to avoid us running into them. We were successful until one rock snuck underneath me and boom, out of the tube I was, trying to catch my balance on the very rock that took me out. The moss on the rock made it difficult, but I managed. As I stood there, in the middle of the Chattahoochee River, standing on this sneaky boulder, I watched my family drift away from me. Their attempts to get to rescue me were short-lived due to the pulling current.

In a situation where I was knocked off course, and nearly stranded, I thought I would've been frightened, but I wasn’t. An indescribable calm took over. I looked around and noticed all the tubes, rafts, and kayaks all looking at me, fear written on their face. Moments later, there was a group of young adults tubing who saw me stranded, and their tube began drifting in my direction (with some extra help from the passengers). I was amazed by how much ease it came, because if you currents, you know it’s not easy to go against. Not only that, the current didn't fight us too hard with getting me back to my tube and family.

We thanked the group that saved me, grateful that they were there, but also amazed at how the tube came over to me as if the current knew I needed a hand and the willingness of the passengers to make sure I returned to my family safe.

Our setbacks represent getting knocked out of our tubes. Here we are, just going through life, and then boom, next thing we’re standing on a rock, (which represents our hard place in life), watching others pass us by; but there’s no need to panic. Sooner or later, the current will shift in our favor, and the passengers represent the great people we meet along the way.

"Just let go, let it flow..."

- Toni Braxton