Life unfolds.

Flowing Forward: Life Lessons from Taoist Wisdom

The older I get, the more I realize life has a funny way of turning everything on its head when you least expect it. Lately, I’ve been leaning into some Taoist principles to help me navigate the twists and turns—specifically, the story of the man and his horses and the idea of being like water. These ideas have been a kind of lighthouse, guiding me through the fog of uncertainty and reminding me to stop fighting the tide and just flow.

You’ve probably heard the story of the man with the horses. A farmer’s horse runs away, and his neighbors commiserate: “What bad luck!” The farmer simply says, “Maybe.” Days later, the horse returns with a herd of wild horses, and the neighbors rejoice: “What good fortune!” Again, the farmer replies, “Maybe.” Soon after, the farmer’s son breaks his leg while taming one of the wild horses. The neighbors, ever reactive, bemoan his misfortune, but the farmer’s response remains the same. Not long after, the army comes to conscript able-bodied young men, but the son is spared because of his injury. The story reminds us: we never know how the pieces will fit together until much later.

How often do we find ourselves labeling moments as “good” or “bad” in the heat of it all? I can think of countless times when I’ve thought, “Well, this is it. This is terrible,” only to realize later that it was a stepping stone to something better. Like when a job rejection felt like the end of the world but eventually led me to opportunities I never dreamed of. It’s a tough pill to swallow in the moment, but hindsight often reframes those “bad” moments as part of a larger, richer tapestry.

Then there’s water—that humble, unassuming element that Taoist philosophy often likens to the ideal way of being. Water doesn’t fight; it adapts. It carves through rock not by force but by persistence. It flows around obstacles, finds the easiest path, and never resists its nature. For someone like me, who’s spent a good chunk of life trying to bend the world to my will, this is a humbling lesson.

Think about a time when you’ve been forced to adapt. Maybe a big move uprooted you, a relationship ended, or your life’s plan suddenly veered off course. For me, it’s been about letting go of this idea that I have to control every outcome. Life is unpredictable—beautifully so. The more I’ve embraced that, the less exhausting it’s become.

I’m learning to approach life’s challenges like water: flowing through them instead of smashing my head against the wall in frustration. And you know what? It’s oddly freeing. When you stop labeling every moment as “good” or “bad” and just let it be, you start to notice the lessons hidden in the chaos.

At first, I was apprehensive about incorporating AI into my life. Now, I’d say it’s become a daily tool for many of my tasks. In fact, all the images in this blog post were AI-generated, and I even use it for daily Taoist lessons. It’s been a surprisingly helpful companion in improving my flow.

So, if you find yourself in the thick of it right now, maybe take a cue from the horses or the water. Step back. Let go of trying to control everything. It doesn’t mean you’re giving up—it means you’re making space for life to surprise you. And believe me, it will.

Love & Light

MM.

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I created this fun little “sizzle reel” from the art show we did this fall, hope you enjoy.