Flooded Bridges and White Water Rapids: Life Reflections from Nature

Growing up, my family lived near a low-water bridge on a back road. When the sun was out, you could see the rocky creek bed through the crystal clear water that was, in some places, only a few inches deep. During the rainy season, however, the bridge could very easily become impassable as the water level could easily rise 10-15 feet in the matter of a day. Some days we would drive up to the bridge and realize it was completely covered with water and fallen trees that had been brushed downstream. In fact, some days, the space under the bridge for the water to pass was totally covered and the water could only go over as it continued to rise. 

I’ve been reflecting on water a lot recently and images like this. Nature takes on a life of its own and I realise if we pay close attention we can learn lessons for our own lives. Similarly to the bridge I grew up near, my mind has gone to whitewater rapids which are formed usually by rocks, logs or other debris sitting at the bottom of the river. 

In these instances, the water can’t traverse along its usual path as there are obstacles in the way. And yet, the pressure of the water coming behind doesn’t allow the water to stop. It must go somewhere. Observably, when there is an obstacle in the way the water finds some other path around. A river might go outside its banks to surpass a clogged bridge. Or the water simply might go up, over or around whatever is sitting in its way.

This leaves me thinking about life and the obstacles that we experience. There are times when avoidance of an obstacle or difficulty might feel like the route I want to take. However, if I end up going this route, the pressure of what is coming behind me, as life rarely seems to slow down, is going to come along and push me through the obstacle, likely uncomfortably, leaving me feeling banged up and like I need to recover. 

Sometimes though, I might be able to find an alternative path to take around the obstacle. This can be sad or difficult as perhaps I had a lot of stake in the original path or perhaps I feel an insurmountable loss of control if I try to flow outside my river bank. And yet, this is an image of resilience. That despite the discomfort, the need for flexibility and to embrace change rather than stick to what I had planned, I can still carry on and move forward. 

What are the natural spaces you inhabit? Do you find yourself reflecting on how these spaces can give you insight into your own life? We can really learn a lot from slowing down and reflecting on what is around us. I invite you into the inspiration of the natural world.

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Jon Wisdom, LCSW received his Master of Social Work degree, specializing in Trauma and Violence, from Boston University in a dual-degree program where he also received a Master of Divinity. Previously he worked as an interfaith hospital chaplain and holds a masters degree in Spiritual Care. Jon has pursued this integrated learning with the hope of working with queer individuals with religious trauma. As a queer man, he knows this is a complex issue that requires a lot of existential exploration which can be personally challenging.

In practice, Jon prioritizes affirming and patient-centered care. He uses modalities such as Phase Oriented Trauma Treatment, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), narrative approaches, psychodynamics and operates with an anti-oppression framework. His goal as a therapist is to provide space for his clients to come as they are and for them to know that they have inherent worth and value.

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