By Colleen Corbett

There is rhythm to all life. Nature moves in cycles. Our world, our experiences, even our thoughts follow repeating patterns. Every day of my life is shaped by rhythm. As I sit at my computer typing, I feel the steady beat of my heart and tap my foot to the energizing music in my earphones. I swing between excitement and frustration as I work through this article, trying to put into words what I’m feeling. And I realize—this music isn’t just filling my ears. The ebb and flow, the soft and loud, the highs and lows—it’s lifting my spirit. It’s shaping my mood and thoughts.

How different would I feel if all I heard was a single, unchanging tone? No melody. No harmony. No variation. Just one long note—on and on. That kind of flatness would drive me mad.

I know, because I’ve felt that before.

There was a time in my life when I was severely depressed, and my doctor prescribed an antidepressant. Within a couple of weeks, I didn’t feel depressed anymore… but I didn’t feel anything. No sadness, no anger, no despair, no anxiety. But also—no joy, no wonder, no peace, no happiness. The medication numbed everything. It didn’t discriminate. It wiped the emotional slate clean. And to my surprise, that state felt worse than depression. I actually found myself wishing I could feel sadness or frustration again—anything to feel alive.

That experience taught me something I’ll never forget: the rhythm of up and down, back and forth, feeling and responding—it’s essential to living.

I'd always thought “smooth sailing” was the goal. But what I learned is, if you want smooth sailing, be prepared for a slow, flat, uneventful journey. One that might even leave you stuck in the doldrums, never really going anywhere at all.

The lows are what make the highs so sweet. And the key is to remember that in the middle of your storm.

If we can hold on to the truth that better days are coming—if we can focus on the peace that’s on its way—we’ll draw it closer. We’ll soften the weight of what we’re feeling now. Because no matter how hard the moment, the Law of Rhythm is always in motion.

The waves will rise again.