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Riding the Rapids into the New Year
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In the early 2000’s I unintentionally swam the China Rapids of the Salmon River in Idaho.When I tell that to the people who know the River they gasp and say “Whoa, and you survived”? China Rapids is a difficult series of rapids that has a sequence of whirlpool holes that you want to avoid, I went into every one. It was, to say the least, terrifying but also illuminating.
I remember the first hole the best, in slow motion being sucked downward into a whirlpool where everything was utter chaos and raw power. I struggled to try to get out but the River was so powerful and in control there was nothing I could do. I remember being sucked deeper down into the river and then when I could no longer hold my breath, I let
go. I remember clearly an acceptance that I might not make it out and then I relaxed. As soon as I found that stillness, the river let me go and up I went to the surface taking a huge gulp of beautiful air. Then I went right back down into the next whirlpool whirling into the depths. That happened 4 times, if I remember right, with only a gulp of air in between each raging, whirling pool of water. But the River and I somehow made a partnership, and as I relaxed and accepted that I had no control, I was released again and again until finally I surfaced below the rapids, in the calm, my boatmates waiting with the radio in case I needed a helicopter rescue.
Why do I tell you this story now? Because for the last 4 years I feel like I have been swimming the China rapids, coming up for brief bits of air and then beingdrug down into a whirlpool of unimaginable chaos over and over again, feeling so out of control as if there was no way out. Then I remember the lesson of China rapids. Relax, be still, don’t struggle, form a partnership with the chaos in a way that allows you to move forward into the next new place. Soon there will be calm.
These years have not been easy, especially the last 10 months as we have roiled in the chaos of racism, politics and pandemic, but in that chaos I have found stillness and beauty and a deepened partnership with those who doggedly seek a world that works for all beings. Would I want to replay this time, no, just as I would not chose to swim those rapids again, but I am grateful for what I have learned, the alliances formed, the visions of the future expressed and the community that has evolved.
Thank you for all you have done to support Ganesh Himal Trading this year and for the last 36! May 2021 see a bit of the calm below the rapids and give us gratitude for the immense lessons learned and a clearer vision and greater determination for the path forward. We are so grateful to you all.
Namaste and Happy Holidays!
Denise Attwood
Co-Owner of Ganesh Himal Trading
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