Have you ever observed water in its natural state? When you look at something as magnificent as the Colorado River carving the contours of the majestic Grand Canyon, one cannot help but contemplate the awesome power of water to shape its surroundings.

The same can be said of a shallow and slow-flowing creek on the Santa Monica Mountains. It may not carry the ferocity and power of the Colorado, nevertheless its modest volume of water still has an impact on its environment.

More importantly, the creek, just like the big river, keeps flowing despite of the rocks and stones that come upon its path. Water always finds a way to flow downstream, and opens up new paths regardless of obstacles. It may not look neat to humans; it may even be downright inconvenient, especially after rain in fire-scorched areas, but it is the way it has been, and will continue to be, unless the fundamental laws of physics get amended (I'll cc you if I hear anything on that tip).

And just like water, our internal calling, and more specifically, our artistic expressions, share the same principles. By observing the laws of nature at work, we can learn how to the flows of these powerful energies that reside inside all of us have the potential to shape the contours of own lives.

Three Ways to Mirror the Rivers

Here are three observations we can contemplate on hydro-gravity matters:

1. Damn the Dams. In our attempt to systemize and civilize our creative voices so they can fit neatly into our conditioned notions of practicality and pragmatism, we build what I call Creative Dams - walls that were engineered to keep these waters in check so as not to overrun the constructs we have erected in areas where water once flowed freely - what I call Complacency Townships. And just like in other areas of the world where once majestic rivers have been tamed, the infrastructure that is built in these townships in our own lives are difficult to tear down. There are myriad excuses for keeping these townships intact, and it validates the existence of these dams to our own detriment.

2. Feeding of Deltas. As in the real world where dams impede the flow of rich nutrients, minerals and micro-organisms that have historically replenished ecosystems downstream, so too do our own Creative Dams impede all the nutrient rich micro-organisms of our creativity to feed other aspects of our lives. Just as we cannot see with the naked eye the impact that a dam has on ecosystems downstream, neither can we readily understand how the varied deltas of our own lives are adversely impacted by avoiding the flow of our creative rivers.

Don't think revitalizing Deltas is important? Just ask the residents of New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina. Thick, rich deltas are critical not just in maintaining ecological diversity, but they also provide powerful natural defense against surges caused by hurricanes.

Let your creative passion flow without barriers, and you will be pleasantly surprised by the richness that accompanies this replenishment, and the benefits and strength it provides you in withstanding life's natural and man-made disasters.

3. Vitality of Fisheries. Although dams have created hydro-electric power (renewable energy is good, do not get me wrong), it wipes out and destroys delicate fisheries, adversely impacting the livelihood of local economies and ecosystems that depend on this valuable protein source.

Imagine the impact of your own creative dams to disrupt potential commerce in your life. How many potential industries and endeavors have you foregone or bypassed by disrupting potentially lucrative opportunities that could have been fed by your creative rivers?

Our creative rivers are vital for the replenishment of our whole being. Impede them, and you adversely impact your capability to replenish and embrace good health and potentially lucrative commerce in your life in ways you never thought possible.

How have you dealt with the creative dams in your life?