The Story of the River and the Mountains

In a distant land, a powerful river flowed between two vast mountain ranges. The river had roared for centuries, carving paths and feeding life wherever it passed. But recently, a massive landslide had blocked its way, creating an immense wall of debris and stone, damming the river and threatening to dry out all the valleys it nourished.

At first, the river raged against this obstacle. Its waters slammed into the rocks with all their might, desperate to break through. Days passed, then weeks, and the waters grew frustrated. They felt trapped, restricted, unable to reach the lands they’d once served. The animals, plants, and people who relied on the river feared they would be lost without its life-giving flow.

One day, a wise old tree that had grown on the riverbank for centuries spoke to the river.

“Why do you batter the rocks so angrily?” asked the tree.

“Because they are blocking me,” replied the river. “They prevent me from being who I am—nurturing, flowing, powerful.”

“But have you forgotten?” said the tree gently. “You are not just powerful. You are patient. You are persistent. Let your strength be as steady as it is mighty. Flow around these rocks, seep through the smallest of cracks, nourish the earth beneath them.”

So the river softened, remembering its nature. Rather than crashing against the rocks in fury, it began to find its way through every crevice, every hidden path in the soil. Some water went underground, nourishing roots and seeds long buried; some waters pooled, creating new lakes that sustained life in unexpected ways. Over time, little by little, the water eroded the blockage, slowly loosening even the largest stones.

Years passed, and as the mountains changed, the river found its way through, not in one mighty blow, but by a thousand gentle movements. It was transformed, but it had never lost its power or its purpose.

The Lesson

Sometimes, life presents obstacles that seem too vast and daunting to overcome simultaneously. We might feel blocked by forces we can’t control, and our first instinct may be to push back with all our might. But in such moments, it helps to remember that true strength often lies not in confrontation but in quiet perseverance, in flowing around, under, and even through the things that try to limit us.

When we allow ourselves to adapt, to stay present with our purpose, and to find alternative paths, we nourish ourselves and those around us in unexpected ways. Like the river, we will eventually find our way, not through sheer force alone, but through resilience, patience, and a thousand small actions.

ABOUT JAMIE

I am a 500 hr 500-certified yoga teacher, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and have a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling as well as in Communication.

I bring the philosophy of therapy into my yoga teaching and individual therapy with clients, wherein the mind, body, and spirit are the source of healing and connecting. How we move our bodies, talk to our bodies, heal with our bodies, and HAVE FUN with our bodies can and will heal each other and the world.

I am married to an incredible human who makes me a better human. I have a son who is wicked smart and sharply hilarious! He also plays college baseball as a pitcher. He inspires my wellness every day. I am humbled by love.

Join me.