Life, my friends, is exactly like a river. It took me some time, and more existential breakdowns than I care to admit, to truly appreciate this. Rivers don’t wrestle with rocks; they flow around them with effortless grace. I, on the other hand, used to fight those rocks at every opportunity, convinced that my stubbornness was a sign of strength.

One day, with a paintbrush in hand and staring at a canvas as blank as my confused expression, I had an epiphany that hit me like a splash of cold water: Resistance isn’t strength. Strength is fluidity. It is gentleness. Strength is the quiet surrender to the natural flow.

“The River” captures that realization. It’s about choosing the path of least resistance, not because it’s easier, but because it aligns with a deeper, universal current guiding us toward greatness. When I stopped trying to bulldoze through obstacles, life began to flow more naturally. Opportunities emerged, colors became brighter, and even my jokes got funnier (subjectively speaking, of course).

I like to envision each swirl and color in this piece as different experiences, some bright, others shadowy, all shaping our journeys. The twists, the turns, the occasional turbulence, they’re all vital parts of the beautiful chaos.

Perhaps life is as simple and profound as water finding its path. I don’t have all the answers, but I do know that life feels better when you stop fighting the current and start savoring the journey.

So here’s to flowing gently, avoiding unnecessary struggle, and manifesting greatness one gentle ripple at a time.

Stay fluid, my friends.

-Nicholas Mokashi