A Mixtape from Allison Filice for Relaxing into the Cosmic Flow
ALLISON FILICE / WNW Member & Illustrator
For as long as I can remember, I’ve lived in a state of tension. I’m constantly measuring things; counting the spaces between cars on the highway, avoiding stepping on cracks in the sidewalk, my “resting” posture looks like eyes squinting, brow furrowed, jaw clenched, hands in a fist. This physical tension mirrors itself mentally in the form of overthinking, anxiety, perfectionism, and so. much. more.
These little idiosyncrasies may seem harmless enough, but I’ve come to realize they’re symptoms of me trying to have some form of control over a chaotic and ever-changing world. If I actually relaxed, gravity would cease to exist and I would float off into space, right? The world can be an overwhelming place and it can at times all feel a bit too much. How do we find our way when things are constantly in flux?
The key is to relax into the cosmic flow instead of trying to control or fight against it. Life is in a constant state of flow; the seasons are ever transitioning from one to the next, rivers run into vast oceans with their own system of underwater currents. Water that doesn’t flow becomes stagnant and toxic to life. The spice must flow.
This universal current is the harmony that runs between the known and the unknown, the controllable and the uncontrollable, the concrete and the abstract. There are certain aspects of life we can see and attempt to control, and there are other aspects that are working behind the scenes, beyond the horizon of our perception. We don’t have much control over the external world, and that’s okay. Our true north lies within us, and when we shift our need for control of the external world to a deeper understanding of our inner world, we can align ourselves with the cosmic flow.
For example, if you attempted to control every aspect of your creative career, it would look very different (and possibly be much more stressful) than if you allowed some unknowns to guide you along your path. I’ve forced projects into being that in hindsight probably shouldn’t have happened, and they were painful experiences I don’t wish to repeat. I’ve also had opportunities present themselves out of the blue that shaped my career in ways I couldn’t have imagined. When we allow space for the unknown, that’s when magic can arise.
There’s a balance each of us must find within ourselves. Having a tight grip on life and trying to control too much can ultimately restrict the flow of opportunities, and not enough effort or focus can lead to a lack of flow that can be toxic to our growth. To find this balance, I recommend you follow your bliss, do the work, don’t take things too personally, transmit your beacon, and always leave a little space for the unknown. If there’s no space in your life, there isn’t room for new opportunities to flow to you. Opening things up a little can do wonders.
I put together a mix of songs that help transport me into the cosmic flow. Have a listen and hopefully you’ll find yourself relaxing into a wonderful current of your own. I promise you won’t float off into the abyss.