Let the River Flow

People often get so caught up in worrying about the future, dwelling on the past, and stressing over the small details of life. In doing so, we miss the bigger picture. The truth is, if we let life flow like a river, many of those worries and doubts would fade away. We’d discover a sense of freedom that comes from simply allowing life to unfold. I’m no exception—I often find myself anxious about what’s ahead, dwelling on past mistakes, or getting stuck in the little things. These worries hold me back from being truly present and from reaching my full potential.

But during a past event I attended in Chicago, something shifted for me. I attended the Plank Center Milestone in Mentoring Reception and Ceremony with the NMGZ Community in 2024, where six outstanding mentors were honored for their contributions to the public relations field. As I moved around the event, feeling unsure about who to approach, Bill Imada noticed and introduced me to Tony Waller, one of the honorees. When Tony greeted us, he exuded warmth and curiosity, asking thoughtful questions and making everyone feel at ease.

At one point, a student asked Tony, “How did you become so successful?” He paused, smiled, and said, “Let me tell you a story.”

Tony shared how, after 22 years at State Farm, he had become comfortable but not truly fulfilled. Every night, he would call his mom—they had a very close relationship. And every night, his mom would ask him the same question: “Are you letting the river flow?” Tony would always answer, “Yes,” but he never really thought about what it meant—until one day, things began to change.

A job offer came in from Walmart. At first, Tony wasn’t interested. He was not sure about the company's reputation in the community, and didn’t know if Walmart's values aligned with his. He was content at State Farm, so the idea of leaving felt unnecessary. But after receiving the offer, something inside him began to stir. He couldn’t sleep, felt restless, and realized something wasn’t right.

He called his mom again, explained how conflicted he felt, and she asked, “What’s wrong, son?” After hearing about the offer, she said, “They want your help. They see something in you that they need. You have something to offer, and you shouldn’t shut yourself off from that opportunity.” And then, as always, she asked, “Are you letting the river flow?”

That simple question made Tony stop and reflect. He realized he had been holding himself back, caught up in small worries and doubts. He had been resisting the natural flow of life. After that conversation, he accepted the position at Walmart, and 18+ years later, he’s still there, thriving in a corporate leadership role.

Tony’s story is a powerful reminder: don’t let the small things hold you back. Go with the flow. Embrace new opportunities, trust yourself, and stop worrying about what’s out of your control. When you let the river flow, the path ahead often becomes clearer than you might expect.

What resonated with me the most was the question Tony’s mom always asked: “Are you letting the river flow?” It’s such a simple yet profound way of looking at life. We spend so much time trying to steer the river, making sure it goes where we think it should, instead of letting it flow naturally and trusting that it will take us where we need to be. The river knows its path, even when we don’t. Life unfolds on its own, and sometimes the best thing we can do is step back, stop resisting, and trust that everything will fall into place.